The true meaning of baptism
I felt I should write to give the true meaning of baptism to correct the wrong statements made by some pastors. Judging from what I hear them say, it is obvious that they are ignorant of the theology and doctrine of baptism.
Rev. Amos Betungura
I felt I should write to give the true meaning of baptism to correct the wrong statements made by some pastors. Judging from what I hear them say, it is obvious that they are ignorant of the theology and doctrine of baptism.
For instance, a pastor in Mbarara condemns baptism by pouring water on candidates, insisting that baptism is supposed to be by immersion. The pastor, who was a Muslim before he recently converted to Christianity, has also made himself a Bishop and called his place of worship a Cathedral.
I spent three years at the London College of Divinity in the UK, studying theology, doctrine and historical background of this rite and other courses. So, hearing this heresy makes me sick!
Now, this is the true meaning of baptism; In this rite, there is the word “matter†in this case it is the “water†in baptism. The second is the form or method of carrying out the baptism, known as administration of this sacrament.
Jesus Christ, in His discourse with Nicodemus, said, “Truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water, and spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. (John 3.5). There are methods or forms of administering baptism, but the most important part in this baptism is water (which is the matter).
Whether one uses immersion and another uses pouring water to baptise a person (which is known as affusion) both serve the purpose as long as it is done in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, as Jesus Christ instructed His Disciples to keep doing, when baptising (Matthew 28:19).
The word “baptism†comes from a Greek word baptizo or baptizomai, which means pouring water on or immersing in water. So in this language, where the word baptism originated, the etymology of it is one.
In the Anglican Church of Uganda we do not baptise a person who has changed from where he or she had been baptised by immersion, if the baptism was made in the three-fold name of God.
In fact, in the Anglican prayer Book, the instruction to the priest on the Baptism is, “Pour water on him or her or immerse him/her, in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.â€
Therefore, the Anglican Church of Uganda may use the immersion form as well; if there is a need for it.
The writer is a retired bishop
I felt I should write to give the true meaning of baptism to correct the wrong statements made by some pastors. Judging from what I hear them say, it is obvious that they are ignorant of the theology and doctrine of baptism.
For instance, a pastor in Mbarara condemns baptism by pouring water on candidates, insisting that baptism is supposed to be by immersion. The pastor, who was a Muslim before he recently converted to Christianity, has also made himself a Bishop and called his place of worship a Cathedral.
I spent three years at the London College of Divinity in the UK, studying theology, doctrine and historical background of this rite and other courses. So, hearing this heresy makes me sick!
Now, this is the true meaning of baptism; In this rite, there is the word “matter†in this case it is the “water†in baptism. The second is the form or method of carrying out the baptism, known as administration of this sacrament.
Jesus Christ, in His discourse with Nicodemus, said, “Truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water, and spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. (John 3.5). There are methods or forms of administering baptism, but the most important part in this baptism is water (which is the matter).
Whether one uses immersion and another uses pouring water to baptise a person (which is known as affusion) both serve the purpose as long as it is done in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, as Jesus Christ instructed His Disciples to keep doing, when baptising (Matthew 28:19).
The word “baptism†comes from a Greek word baptizo or baptizomai, which means pouring water on or immersing in water. So in this language, where the word baptism originated, the etymology of it is one.
In the Anglican Church of Uganda we do not baptise a person who has changed from where he or she had been baptised by immersion, if the baptism was made in the three-fold name of God.
In fact, in the Anglican prayer Book, the instruction to the priest on the Baptism is, “Pour water on him or her or immerse him/her, in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.â€
Therefore, the Anglican Church of Uganda may use the immersion form as well; if there is a need for it.
The writer is a retired bishop