For the past 20 years, Rev. Andres Arango performed the Sacrament of Baptism in the Catholic Church he served. He would say, “We baptize you in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”
According to the Catholic Church, the priest performed those baptisms wrongly. He should have used the pronoun “I” instead of “We.” It is estimated that Father Arango performed thousands of baptisms over the past 20 years. Currently, the position of the Diocese is that these baptisms need to be redone properly.
It is reported that Fr. Arango resigned earlier this month as pastor of the parish. But he is still a priest and is still serving in the same diocese.
The position of the Diocese rests upon the idea that ministers must allow Jesus to speak through them and say, “I baptize you in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”
When I saw the news about this event, it got my interest. I have been an ordained minister and pastor for 40 years in Protestant churches. Administering water baptisms goes with my calling. Not belonging to the Catholic church, I will share a couple of thoughts on this matter from a biblical standpoint.
The Two Kinds of Baptisms
First of all, THE MINISTER IS THE ONE PERFORMING THE BAPTISM AND NOT JESUS HIMSELF. Consider these words from John the Baptist:
“He who sent me to baptize in water said to me, ‘He upon whom you see the Spirit descending and remaining upon Him, this is the One who baptizes in the Holy Spirit’” (John 1:33, NASB).
According to this verse, John baptized in water but Jesus baptizes in the Holy Spirit. The same is true about ministers performing baptisms today.
Jesus Himself confirmed that this is the truth. Just before He left the disciples to return to His Father; He said to them, “John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now” (Acts 1:5).
Jesus fulfilled this promise on the day of Pentecost. He baptized with the Holy Spirit all who were assembled and praying in the upper room.
Whenever I administer water baptisms, I do say “I” baptize you…, as opposed to “We” baptize you…. But it’s not because I regard myself as being a vessel Jesus is speaking through and performing the ritual or sacrament. Rather, it’s because I am the one performing the baptism and I am referring to myself.
We Are Saved by Grace Through Faith in Christ
As for my second thought on this matter, everyone who chooses to follow Christ should become baptized. Jesus is our example, and He was baptized. He also instructed the apostles to go and make disciples, baptizing in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
But we as church leaders must be careful to not exaggerate the importance of water baptism with regard to salvation.
As a pastor, let’s say I reach out to someone who is terminally ill. The person repents of his sins and genuinely places his faith in Christ but dies before being baptized.
The truth is that person’s salvation is just as sure as the person who accepted Christ as his Savior AND was baptized.
The point is that we are saved by grace through faith in Christ and not by any works—including water baptisms—lest any man should boast (Ephesians 2:8-9).
Copyright © 2022 by Frank King. All rights reserved.