Washing and Baptism: A Response to Oso Famoso Part 1

Oso Famoso, over at You Are Cephas has engaged me in an interesting discussion. He, as a Catholic, believes that Baptism is more than merely a sign. As I pointed out in my worship post on Baptism, I certainly agree, but, of course, I would not subscribe to the lengths of baptismal regeneration, which is Oso's belief.

He sees a clear link between John 3:5, Titus 3:5, and Hebrews 10:22. He claims that each of these refer to literal, physical Baptism, and are not simply metaphorical. Plus, he believes that they each teach or at least infer that Baptism is linked to our new birth.

It is my intention here just to briefly respond and present my opinions on the matter. I will do so in four posts, one for each verse and a conclusion.

Let's take these texts in reverse order. I am using the NAB version for all Bible citations.

First, Hebrews 10:22 says, "Let us approach with a sincere heart and in absolute trust, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed in pure water." At first, "Washed in pure water," certainly seems like it could refer to Baptism, but let us look at the context.

In the verses which precede our text, we are given several clauses beginning with, "Since." Since we have confidence to enter the Holy of Holies, and since Christ is a great High Priest... Then our verse. Thus, the author of the text is giving us commands based on what we already know. Namely, because Christ has done so much in making us able to enter into the presence of God, let us approach with a sincere heart, absolute trust, a clean conscience, and washed body.

Again, this may refer to Baptism, but it does not have to. If we take, "Bodies washed in water," as literal washing, then shouldn't we do the same with, "Hearts sprinkled clean?" In other words, if one is a physical act, then shouldn't both be? After all, "sincere heart" and "absolute trust," are abstract terms, whereas both "sprinkled hearts" and "washed bodies" are concrete, physical terms. If we take one of the concrete terms as physical, the discourse and parallelism would almost force the other one to be physical, as well. Thus, both sprinkled hearts and washed bodies should be literal or both should be metaphorical. Since it is impossible to take "sprinkled hearts" literally - and still have the subject be alive - I would suggest that "washed bodies" is also metaphorical language.

In this sense, the phrase simply means that as we approach God, we need to make sure we are clean inside and out, through and through. This is somewhat hyperbolic and expresses the fact that we need to be holy, clean, and pure before a perfect and most holy God in every aspect of our being. The next three verses indicate this as well: hold fast the confession without wavering (v. 23), and stir each other onto good works (vv. 24-25). Likewise, verse 26 indicates that the all this shows the importance of not sinning: If we sin deliberately after receiving knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains sacrifice for sins.

However, let us suppose for the moment that the reference is to Baptism. Does this indicate baptismal regeneration? I don't see how. In the context, Baptism would then be one more way to be ready to enter into God's presence. I have no theological problem with that interpretation. Since God has commanded us to be baptized, not to do so is sin. Thus, it is definitely something we should do before we "approach" our Lord.

Therefore, I would suggest that what this verse is talking about is being pure before God. The reference to bodies washed with water does not indicate Baptism, but rather is a metaphor indicating the importance and extent that our purity must cover - our hearts, our consciences, our bodies, etc. Yet even if this does refer to Baptism, it does not in any sense indicate that Baptism is linked to a new birth. Hence, I must disagree with Oso's interpretation here.