Where should baptism be done is another challenge to the "Christian World". I have discussed many baptismal topics in the previous post. In this post, we shall look at where baptism should be done. Some are insisting that it should be done in rivers, streams, and other flowing waters so that the sins of the one who is been baptized could be easily carried away. Others too are saying baptism can be done in both flowing waters and stagnant waters; it can be done in church auditoriums and anywhere there is much water.
Read also: Who is qualified to baptize
First of all, we should remember that baptism is a burial.
(Rom 6:3-5) Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? 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. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection.
So in all the types of baptism, the people involved were all buried. In the book of 1Cor. 10: 1-2, the Israelites were said to have been baptized into Moses. When the red sea was divided, it became walls on both sides, the Israelites walked on the dry ground between the two walls of the red sea. Therefore the Israelites have been covered by the cloud, and in the process of passing through the red sea were buried or submerged in the cloud and in the sea. In other words, they were baptized.
Those who received the preparatory baptism, administered by John the Baptist, were buried in the water. The Bible tells us that John also was baptizing at Aenon near Salim because there was much water there and people came and they were baptized (John 3:23).
John the Baptist chose a very suitable place for the work of his ministry; where there is enough water for animals and for submersion.
On the day of Pentecost, the apostles were baptized with the Holy Spirit. That is to say, they were submerged and filled with the Holy Spirit. (Matt. 3: 13; Acts 2: 4).
In the Christian baptism, an Ethiopian eunuch who traveled from Ethiopia to Jerusalem to worship encountered Philip the evangelist on his return journey. Philip preached to him Christ starting from the very place he was reading. Both Philip and the eunuch went down the road until they met certain water. This water is no doubt stagnant water because the place is said to be a desert area. Philip baptized the Ethiopian eunuch there. (Acts 8:26-38)
So the notion that baptism should be done in flowing waters alone is not in line with the Bible, our sins are not physical or filth on our bodies where the running water can carry it away. But it is spiritual where God Himself does the operation through the Holy Spirit.
(1Pe 3:21) The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
(Col 2:12) Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye have risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.
Conclusion
The most important thing is that there should be enough water for the person who is been baptized to submerge into the water. Therefore baptism can be done in the church auditorium where a baptistery is built where there is water enough for submersion. It could also be done in the house if there is a pool or a basin where there is enough water for submersion.
Again It could be done in any other place where there is stagnant water, where the water is enough submersion. It could be done in the rivers, seas, streams, ponds, lakes, all-natural water bodies and artificial water bodies any place anywhere, where there is enough water for submersion.
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Those who received the preparatory baptism, administered by John the Baptist, were buried in the water. The Bible tells us that John also was baptizing at Aenon near Salim because there was much water there and people came and they were baptized (John 3:23).
John the Baptist chose a very suitable place for the work of his ministry; where there is enough water for animals and for submersion.
On the day of Pentecost, the apostles were baptized with the Holy Spirit. That is to say, they were submerged and filled with the Holy Spirit. (Matt. 3: 13; Acts 2: 4).
In the Christian baptism, an Ethiopian eunuch who traveled from Ethiopia to Jerusalem to worship encountered Philip the evangelist on his return journey. Philip preached to him Christ starting from the very place he was reading. Both Philip and the eunuch went down the road until they met certain water. This water is no doubt stagnant water because the place is said to be a desert area. Philip baptized the Ethiopian eunuch there. (Acts 8:26-38)
So the notion that baptism should be done in flowing waters alone is not in line with the Bible, our sins are not physical or filth on our bodies where the running water can carry it away. But it is spiritual where God Himself does the operation through the Holy Spirit.
(1Pe 3:21) The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
(Col 2:12) Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye have risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.
Conclusion
The most important thing is that there should be enough water for the person who is been baptized to submerge into the water. Therefore baptism can be done in the church auditorium where a baptistery is built where there is water enough for submersion. It could also be done in the house if there is a pool or a basin where there is enough water for submersion.
Again It could be done in any other place where there is stagnant water, where the water is enough submersion. It could be done in the rivers, seas, streams, ponds, lakes, all-natural water bodies and artificial water bodies any place anywhere, where there is enough water for submersion.
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