Question:
I read several early church father quotes on baptism, A Baptist’s view on this would simply be that baptism is a metonymy. [Editor’s note: A metonymy is a smaller thing used as a symbol of a greater thing. For example, “bread” is used as a metonymy for all food in Deuteronomy 8] In the same way you believe that “belief” is some type of metonymy or synecdoche, a Baptist would believe that baptism is one as well–that belief includes baptism and baptism is a metonymy which includes belief. Here is an example to help you understand my thinking. Romans 10:9, you would likely agree that the word “belief” in this verse should include baptism, yet it doesn’t say baptism anywhere in this verse. In the same way if you view baptism as a metonymy throughout the bible or church father quotes, it fits perfectly when needed. Sometimes the Bible is more literal and other times there are some exaggerations or symbolisms. What is your argument against this Baptist view?
Answer:
I have no problem with using fancy vocabulary such as metonymy or synecdoche in reference to baptism, but I am suspicious that our Baptist friends do this as a sort of a cover-up for trying to make the Bible teach something that it does not teach. So, sure, let us call baptism a metonymy. Fine. The question is what are we using this to allow us to say, and is that thing biblical?
(Author’s note: Not all Baptists agree with this teaching, and Baptists are not at all the only ones who believe that baptism is merely an “outward sign of an inward grace.” I hesitate to label groups, and only mention a specific denomination because the questioner took me there. I apologize and do not want to insult anyone from this Christian group)
Where, then, are these Baptists trying to take us to? Are they trying to tell us that the early church fathers did not believe that we are saved at baptism? Are they putting words or thoughts into the church fathers’ mouths or minds? I think so. What ALL of the early church fathers were 100% unanimous on was this: A person descends into the water defiled by sin, and leaves the water purified of their sin. There was no confusion on this in the early church. Baptism was the point in time when forgiveness came about. They were unambiguous about this. The Bible is also unambiguous about the connection between baptism and salvation. We are baptized INTO Christ (Romans 6:4, Galatians 3:26). We do not pray into Christ, believe into Christ or confess into Christ. Baptism is when we enter Christ, and are saved. The Bible is unambiguous about this.
If Baptists, or anyone else, are using this fancy language as a cover-up for trying to tell us that baptism is “an outward sign of an inward grace,” then they are wrong! Baptism is not like Jewish circumcision. This is what Ulrich Zwingli taught. He was the first important church figure to teach that baptism is [merely] a symbol, by analogy to circumcision. The problem with this is that it is never taught in the Bible. When we repent and are baptized, we are forgiven of our sins and receive the Holy Spirit. (Acts 2:38). When we are baptized, our sins are washed away (Acts 22:16). Sure, let baptism be a synecdoche or a metonymy, but do not hide behind these words to slip in an unbiblical teaching, such as that baptism is a symbol of something God does when we “accept Christ.” This is not in the Bible, and it was not taught by any Christian we know of until after 1500 AD.
John Oakes
