The Sacrament of Baptism: Our Disagreement with the Protestants
The sermon, delivered on the occasion of the Feast of the Epiphany, discusses the sacrament of Baptism and its theological significance according to Orthodox Christian belief. It also explains the differences between Orthodox and Protestant understandings of Baptism.
- Differences Between Orthodox and Protestant Views
The speaker identifies four main areas of disagreement:
- The importance and efficacy of Baptism: Is it merely an outward symbol, or does it have a role in salvation?
- The method of Baptism: Should it be performed by immersion or sprinkling?
- The minister of Baptism: The Orthodox Church requires a duly ordained priest, while Protestant denominations differ in their practices.
- Baptism as a sacrament: The Orthodox Church recognizes Baptism as one of the Church’s sacraments, whereas the speaker describes the Protestant rejection of sacraments in the Orthodox theological sense.
- Baptism as the New Birth
Orthodox theology understands Baptism as the new birth, through which a person is born of water and the Spirit.
The speaker refers to Jesus’ conversation with Nicodemus (John 3) and Paul’s teaching about the washing of regeneration (Titus 3:5).
He contrasts this with the Protestant understanding presented in the sermon, according to which the new birth takes place through faith rather than Baptism.
- Baptism and Salvation
The sermon emphasizes the relationship between Baptism and salvation, drawing on several biblical passages:
- Mark 16:16: “He who believes and is baptized will be saved.”
- Acts 2:38: Baptism for the forgiveness of sins.
- Titus 3:5: The washing of regeneration.
- 1 Peter 3:20–21: Noah’s ark as a symbol connected with salvation through Baptism.
The speaker also refers to the Nicene Creed’s confession of one Baptism for the remission of sins.
- Baptism and the Forgiveness of Sins
Baptism is presented as more than physical washing. It is a spiritual cleansing through which previous sins are forgiven.
The speaker refers to Ananias’ words to Saul:
“Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins” (Acts 22:16).
- Putting on Christ Through Baptism
Baptism unites the believer with Christ, as expressed in Galatians 3:27:
“For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.”
- Death and Resurrection With Christ
Based on Romans 6, the sermon identifies three important meanings of Baptism:
- Dying and being buried with Christ.
- Rising with Christ and walking in newness of life.
- The crucifixion of the old person and the beginning of a renewed life.
Baptism is therefore associated with regeneration, adoption, forgiveness, salvation, and putting on Christ.
- The Role of the Priesthood in Baptism
The speaker maintains that Christ entrusted the ministry of Baptism to His apostles.
He refers to Christ’s command in Matthew 28:19 to make disciples of all nations and baptize them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
The apostles administered Baptism, and the ministry was subsequently entrusted to their successors and other ranks of the priesthood.
- Old Testament Symbols of Baptism
The sermon identifies several Old Testament events as symbols of Baptism:
- Noah’s Ark: A symbol of salvation through water (1 Peter 3:20–21).
- The Cloud and the Sea: The Israelites’ passage through the Red Sea is connected with Baptism into Moses (1 Corinthians 10:1–2).
- Circumcision: Associated with symbolic death, belonging to God’s people, and salvation through blood (Genesis 17).
- Cleansing Water and Renewal: Ezekiel’s prophecy of pure water, a new heart, and a new spirit (Ezekiel 36:24–27).
- Washing and Anointing: The imagery in Ezekiel 16.
- Water and the Word
The speaker addresses the Protestant interpretation of water as a symbol of the Word of God or preaching.
He explains that preaching leads to faith, followed by Baptism, and connects these elements with salvation and the new birth.
He discusses Ephesians 5:26, particularly the expression “the washing of water by the word,” arguing that the passage mentions water and the word together rather than identifying water itself with the word.
- Water, Blood, and the Holy Spirit
The sermon explains the relationship between Christ’s blood, Baptism, and the Holy Spirit:
- Christ’s blood represents the redemption He accomplished.
- Baptism is presented as the means through which believers receive the benefits of this redemption.
- The Holy Spirit works in Baptism and grants new life.
The speaker refers to the blood and water flowing from Christ’s side (John 19:34) and the testimony of the Spirit, water, and blood (1 John 5:6–8).
- Is Water Merely an Ordinary Material?
The speaker rejects the idea that Baptismal water is spiritually insignificant. He explains that it is consecrated through prayers of sanctification.
He provides three biblical examples:
- Naaman the Syrian, who was cleansed after washing in the Jordan River (2 Kings 5).
- The man born blind, who received his sight after washing in the Pool of Siloam (John 9).
- The healing associated with the Pool of Bethesda (John 5).
These examples illustrate the importance of accepting God’s appointed means of working with humility and faith.
- The Two Functions of Water: Cleansing and Life
The sermon identifies two main functions of water:
- Cleansing: Water is associated with washing and purification. The speaker connects this with John’s baptism of repentance.
- Life: Water sustains physical life and is also connected with the living water spoken of by Christ and the work of the Holy Spirit (John 4; John 7:38–39).
Theological Conclusion:
According to the Orthodox understanding presented in the sermon, Baptism is not merely an outward symbol or a public declaration of faith. It is a sacrament of the Church associated with the new birth, forgiveness of sins, salvation, spiritual renewal, death and resurrection with Christ, and the reception of new life through the Holy Spirit.
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