Expert: Dean Gade - 11/10/2006

Question
Mr. Gade,
What evidence is there in the first century writings or traditions to support the idea that baptism is the moment when a person's sins are forgiven?  Did the Apostles believe this?

What writings can I refer to for my own study?  I am only interested in the very early church.
Thanks!
SM

Answer
Teachings on baptism have been in contention for hundreds of years.  It is a mystery of God and so is not fully revealed in His Word.  The Christian's views of it go all the way from it being a personal good work which we do fulfill the law, to a miracle of God which happens each time it is administered.

But the diversity of beliefs is recent, since the Reformation.  Before that there was little difference in the teachings of the church around the Mediterranean.  It was held to be a sacrament and not the sign of a covenant.

The Didache would be the only extra-biblical writing where you would find anything on the practice of baptism.
During the Reformation, many teachings arose.  For those times you may look into the Book of Concord where baptism is discussed in both the Apology and the Formula of Concord (for Lutherans) and in the writing of Calvin, Zwingli and the Anabaptists.

The writing of the antenicene and postnicene "fathers" of the church saw baptism as a "means of grace".  In it, God bestowed His grace on a person and they were born again into His kingdom.  
The Word of God was and is also seen as a means of grace so that a person can receive God's grace before baptism (or even without baptism as we see with the thief on the cross alongside Jesus).  

Over the years, I have become convinced by God that we are to follow the practice given to us, even if we differ in the administration and exact teaching.  Baptism is commanded by God and there is the promise of salvation connected with it.

John 3:5-8

5 Jesus answered, "I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. 6 Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. 7 You should not be surprised at my saying, 'You must be born again.' 8 The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit."
(from New International Version)


1 Peter 3:21-22
1 and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also-not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a good conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ, 22 who has gone into heaven and is at God's right hand-with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him.
(from New International Version)


Titus 3:4-8
4 But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, 5 he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, 6 whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.
(from New International Version)