Noordzij — Hamartology
Noordzij places hamartology at the center of his argument about baptism: baptism is humanity’s response to sin and transformation of the sinful self into the image of Christ. He distinguishes three stages of baptism in which the human is continually liberated from the power of the old self and incorporated into Christ’s body.
The Old Self and Sin
Noordzij speaks of the “old self” as the sum of sinful human being, distinguished from “new life” in Christ. This opposition is fundamental to his understanding of baptism. Water baptism, as the first stage, represents learning to “think differently”—a break with sinful orientation: to set the mind on “things above, not earthly things” (Colossians 3:2).
First, water baptism serves as a symbolic act accompanying confession of sins, performed by human beings for repentance (Matthew 3:11). This represents learning to ‘think differently’—to set the mind on ‘things above, not earthly things’ (Colossians 3:2).
Sin is not viewed here as an isolated moral failing, but as a deeper perversion of thought and intention—an earthly orientation that must be found anew.
Repentance and Confession
Water baptism accompanies confession of sins and stands for repentance. This is not superficial regret but an active turning away from sin as the basis of life. John the Baptist preaches: “I baptize you with water for repentance” (Matthew 3:11), indicating that baptism is a response to recognized sinful condition.
John the Baptist declared: ‘I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me comes one who is more powerful than I…He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire’ (Matthew 3:11).
Confession here is public acknowledgment of sin preceding transformation. The sinful self is consciously laid aside through water baptism as ritual sign.
Mortification of the Old Self
The deepest hamartological work occurs in the third baptism—baptism into Christ Jesus by the Holy Spirit. This is no longer symbolism, but actual transformation: “bringing the mortification of the ‘old self’ and resurrection to ‘new life’” (Romans 6:3-5).
Third, baptism into Christ Jesus takes place through the Holy Spirit—a transformative process toward spiritual maturity and God’s sonship, bringing the mortification of the ‘old self’ and resurrection to ‘new life’ (Romans 6:3-5).
This mortification is not figurative speech; it is the spiritual reality in which the sinful self is utterly put to death. It is the Spirit who accomplishes this, not human effort. Only the “exalted Lord” can perform this baptism, who “grants His power for ongoing transformation from ‘old’ to ‘new’” (Acts 1:8).
Transformation as Liberation
For Noordzij, transformation is not self-improvement, but liberation from sin’s power. The three stages together form a process in which the human self is progressively freed: from thought (water baptism), through empowerment by Spirit (Spirit baptism), to complete death and resurrection (baptism into Christ).
Water baptism begins the process; Spirit-baptism confirms it; baptism into Christ completes it. These three phases represent extensive spiritual development, with ‘three’ symbolizing biblical completeness (as in Father-Son-Spirit or spirit-soul-body).
This underscores that sin is not merely an external deed but requires internal transformation—from the “old self” to “new life.” The goal is not moral improvement, but spiritual maturity and “God’s sonship,” in which the sinful self is definitively replaced by a Christ-oriented nature.