And St. Cyprian forgot something, that Baptism is also a symbolic act of being buried and risen again with Christ, leaving the previous sinful life, the dirts of our lives, in where we are buried.
3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?
4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:
6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.
7 For he that is dead is freed from sin.
8 Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him:
9 Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him.
10 For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God.
Romans 6:3-10
Is it possible to bury a person just by a handful of earth?
(in a cemetary, burial)
Priest: Let us bury this man…
(threw some dirt, then left, leaving the coffin still exposed)
*very funny*
Still talking about aspersion, now let’s put those verses from Romans, let’s get back to the essential meaning of baptism, “washing”.
(at the kitchen)
Mom: Danny, please wash the dishes for me, would you?
Danny: OK mom!
*drip drip drip drip drip drip*
Danny: Done!
Mom: *stares*
Aspersion doesn’t meet the biblical meaning, nor the lexical meaning, and in terms of real world sanity. What’s wrong with pouring water 3 times over the sick? My grandmother’s sister (who died several months ago) was baptized by affusion, on her bed! Of course, it was done carefully, and with warm water. But if you really can’t conduct baptism, then do not force it like it is mandatory. A person is saved when he/she accepts Jesus as his/her Savior, not when he/she is baptized!
About Aspersion, this is my opinion, according to my church’s view (actually, may be not only my church’s, or some church’s). Our view is that aspersion is invalid and aspersed person hasn’t been baptized. If you still hold strong to your church’s view about aspersion, it’s up to you. This is our view.
But let us not worship the method of baptism, for the most important thing is the wonderful work of salvation displayed on the cross, His blood that had cleansed all of our sins. Hallelujah!
What can wash away my sins
Nothing but the blood of Jesus
What can make me whole again
Nothing but the blood of Jesus
Oh, precious is the flow
That makes me white as snow
No other fount I know
Nothing but the blood of Jesus
Blessings in Christ,
Calvin Limuel
May 31, 2011
Originally posted in
http://www.bibleapple.com/tradition/2011/09/21.baptism-methods.html by Calvin Limuel