A Charismatic Theology Of Baptism

Charismatics tend to practice believer's baptism and to maintain the practices of the worship traditions in which they stand. They distinguish between water baptism and the baptism of the Holy Spirit.

The rite of baptism has been interpreted in various ways by the church throughout history: as a sacrament that imparts grace; an ordinance acted out in obedience; an essential element for salvation; a sign of Christian commitment; or a symbol of identification with Christ. The modes of baptism have also differed, involving total immersion, pouring, or sprinkling. The early church found its roots for Christian baptism in the purification rites of Judaism, the baptism of Jewish proselytes, and the baptism of Jesus by John the Baptist. As the church continued to develop its practices, the issue of baptism always remained in the forefront both in terms of method and meaning. The Reformation was the beginning point for some parts of the church to change their view of baptism from sacrament, where it meant a mystery that served as a channel or sign of grace, to an ordinance, where it meant a practice performed as a sign of obedience. This separation of understanding has formed a long-lasting breach in dialogue between the various groups that make up the body of Christ. All major Pentecostal and charismatic groups do practice water baptism as an ingredient in the early stages of a believer's commitment to Christ. The charismatic movement does not have an actual theology of baptism. Since this renewal movement often began within existing churches, charismatics within mainline or other smaller denominations have basically continued the normative baptismal practice of their group. Nonaligned ministries, charismatic fellowships, and independent churches have spawned a variety of positions, but normally view baptism as an ordinance, and totally immerse believers who have found a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. This emphasis on ordinance also springs from the perspective that the rite of baptism has no self-contained efficacy independent from the participant's faith. Also, Pentecostal denominations have primarily held to believer's baptism, which was common among the revivalist movements of the nineteenth century. Certain groups will even require that a believer be rebaptized if that person was baptized as an infant or by a method other than total immersion. The practice of rebaptizing after returning from a backslidden condition has also been practiced by some. One major variation in baptismal practice exists among the so-called oneness Pentecostals, who insist that persons be baptized in the name of Jesus only. Typically, both charismatic and Pentecostals do not see a connection between water baptism and the baptism of the Holy Spirit, which they see as a distinct process.