Differences of Interpretation

What is the meaning of baptism?

(from Wine of Astonishment by Bill Sears)

A vast number of Christians in this day feel that only through baptism can a man be saved. In the day of Christ's early teaching many believed likewise that only through their own outward symbol, circumcision, the sign of the covenant with God, could they be faithful, and be saved. According to the injunction given in the Book of Genesis, each boy was to be circumcized. This was considered absolutely essential.

The custom of circumcision was not specialized to the Jews. It was also prevalent among the Egyptians, Ethiopians, Phoenicians, Arabs, and Syrians as a health measure and for reducing sexual excitability.

There is always the tendency of the followers of the new Faith to cling to the time-honoured customs of the old; not as a health measure, but as a symbol of the Covenant. Circumcision and baptism were clearly two different rites. Yet, many early Christians felt that baptism, like circumcision, should take place by the eighth day after birth. It is almost impossible for a new Faith to break away cleanly from the long-used rituals of its parent religion. The first fifteen Bishops of the Christian Church in Jerusalem were circumcized Jews. The ritual of circumcision, in its purely religious sense as a sign of the Covenant, had a powerful hold on their emotions.

The New Testament speaks of early Christian teachers, saying:

... certain men which came down from Judea taught the brethren, and said, Except ye be circumcized after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved.

Yet, the New Testament makes it clear that just as baptism is symbolical, so is circumcision. It is the belief that gives life, not the ritual. For example:

Is any man called [to God] being circumcized? let him not become uncircumcized. Is any called in uncircumcision? let him not be circumcized. Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but the keeping of the commandments of God.

The simple fact is this, Bahá'u'lláh tells us: the new Prophet comes with the same, eternal Faith brought by His Predecessor. He renews men's belief in the inward realities. He helps them to shake off the outward symbols which have become encrusted and meaningless. Habit, superstition and time have killed the spirit and hidden the true inner meaning of baptism. In its place the outward sign of water has now become the important thing. The conscience and spirit which prompted baptism in the beginning are lost entirely. The truth dies away at last, and men and children permit themselves to be baptized whether they have the inner belief or not. It is the conventional thing to do. It is the habit of their society.

The Apostle Paul called upon those whom he taught, urging them to see that circumcision was inwardly a spiritual thing. It was a way of expressing detachment from the world. Paul said:

... ye are circumcized with the circumcision made without hands ...

Physically, of course, this was impossible, as impossible as being baptized in fire. It was a circumcision of the spirit. It was a cutting away of man's heart from the desires of the world. Bahá'u'lláh tells us that in this day there is no longer a need for using an outer symbol for this truth. The inner reality itself can now be clearly understood by mankind.

The Books have been "unsealed" and their inner meanings have been made clear. In this day, a man can read, study, and make up his own mind. He can decide for himself when he is ready to declare his inner decision or belief. It need no longer be done for him by ritual, by proxy, or by the use of an outward symbol, water. This is a new day, and mankind can now be baptized in a new sense. Humanity can be cleansed (baptized) with the water of the knowledge of God, and the fire of the love of God. The full beauty and majesty of such a baptism can be found in the words and teachings of God's Messenger for this age, Bahá'u'lláh, the Glory of God.

Bahá'u'lláh writes:

Great indeed is this Day! The allusions made to it in all the sacred Scriptures as the Day of God attest its greatness. The soul of every Prophet of God, of every Divine Messenger, bath thirsted for this wondrous Day. All the divers kindreds of the earth have, likewise, yearned to attain it.