As we witness the baptism of believers in Jesus today, we need to know the sobering back-story of public baptism in this world:
One of the early responses to the Protestant Reformation came from certain “radical” Christians like Felix Manz, Conrad Grebel, and Menno Simons, who said that the Reformation pioneers, such as Luther and Calvin, had not gone far enough. Yes, it was right to insist that the Bible alone is the authority for the church (not Bible plus tradition plus pope); and it was right to affirm that salvation is by grace through faith (thus no buying “indulgences” to spring deceased relatives out of some “purgatory”). But the Reformers didn’t finish the job—they retained the idea of a state church with membership of all citizens signified by infant baptism. But Manz and company called for the separation of church and state, and they contended that the Bible restricts baptism to believers.
Intertwined with state powers, Catholic and Protestant religious rulers imposed the death penalty on the “Anabaptists” (i.e., “re-baptizers”) for their heresy and sedition. Manz was the first martyr: executed by drowning (!) on Jan. 5, 1527, in Zurich. Scores of others were put to death during the sixteenth century—and yet this Bible-based movement spread far and wide.
Today in many lands it remains very risky to be baptized. You see, it’s one thing to profess faith in Christ within safe, private circles, but it’s another to step up and shine Jesus’ light (Matt 5:13-16), even in hostile settings. Voice of the Martyrs documents many instances of pastors arrested and believers beaten or driven out of town or disowned by family because of publicly identifying themselves as Jesus’ disciples through baptism.
In God’s providence, we can practice baptism openly without fear of violent opposition. And in God’s providence, that may change. But either way, Jesus’ command is clear: those who profess faith in him are to be baptized (Matt 28:18-20). Where do you stand?
