What is Baptism?

VARIOUS VIEWS Some people consider baptism to be only a ceremony. Others speak of various modes of baptism. Others believe it to be important, but not necessary in order to be saved. The Bible is very specific about the design and purpose of baptism.

BAPTISM IS IMMERSION The Bible clearly shows immersion to be the practice during Bible times. John the Baptist was baptizing in Aenon near Salim because there was "much water there." (John 3:23). Sprinkling does not require "much water."

An evangelist named Philip went down into the water and baptized an Ethiopian who had heard Philip preach Jesus (Acts 8:38). Why would either, or both, have gone into the water if sprinkling, or some other "mode", had been practiced?

APPROPRIATE SYMBOL Immersion is the only action to appropriately symbolize the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. It is used in this manner "Or do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus have been baptized into His death? Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, in order that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life." (Romans 6:3-4). See also Colossians 2:12. A symbol is a symbol because it suggests a likeness. Would the burial of Christ be best symbolized by sprinkling water on the head or by immersion of the whole body into water?

LEXICONS DEFINE BAPTISM Any standard Greek lexicon will show the meaning of the word to be "immersion ." Thayer defines baptism as " ... immersion, commanded by Christ, by which men are born again by the Holy Spirit into a new life, come into the fellowship of Christ and the church (1 Corinthians 12:13), and are made partakes of eternal salvation ..."1

Baptism is a transliteration. The English translators simply put corresponding English letters beside the Greek word to create the word "baptism." The proper translation of the Greek word is "immersion."

RELIGIOUS LEADERS AGREE John Calvin. Reformation leader, wrote, " ... it is evident that the term 'baptize' means to immerse, and that this the form used by the primitive church."2
Martin Luther, Reformer, wrote, " ... the baptized should be totally immersed, according to the meaning of the word ..."3
John Wesley, founder of Methodism, commented on Romans 6:4, "We are buried with Him --- Alluding to the ancient manner of baptism by immersion."4

SPRINKLING A SUBSTITUTION Immersion was universally practiced in the first century. But sprinkling was substituted with increased frequency until, in 1311 AD, the Council of Ravenna declared sprinkling to be the official baptism of Roman Catholicism. Many religious groups have followed this practice even though it is a departure from Christ's instruction. Unless we have been immersed for the forgiveness of our sins, we have not obeyed His instructions.

OBEY CHRIST If we accept Jesus as lord, we will want to do precisely what He instructed. We will be immersed in water. Jesus said, "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son, and the Holy Spirit." (Matthew 28:19). Peter said, "Surely no one can refuse the water for these to be baptized ... and he ordered them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ." (Acts 10:47-48)

A NEW BEGINNING The joy of the Ethiopian (Acts 8) at the point of baptism is the joy to be experienced by each disciple. A newness of life begins with baptism (Romans 6:4).
Saul of Tarsus was told, " ... Arise, and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on His name." (Acts 22:16). Sin is forgiven at the point of obedience in baptism (Acts 2:38). There is joy in the knowledge that sin is forgiven.

IMMERSED INTO CHRIST There is forgiveness only in Christ. His blood shed on the cross made possible the forgiveness of our sins. Even though we may believe Him to be the Son of God, we are still in sin if we remain outside of Christ. The Bible says "For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For all of you who were baptized into Christ put on Christ." (Galatians 3:26-27). If we can be saved without baptism, we can be saved outside of Christ. We are baptized into Christ. If you have not been immersed into Christ for the remission (forgiveness) of your sins in the name (authority) of the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit, we urge you to do so today without delay. We would be happy to assist you, now.

References 1) Thayer, A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament, p. 95, T & T Clark, Edinburg, 1908, 4th Edition.
2) John Calvin, Institute Of The Christian Religion, Vol. 3, p. 344.
3) Martin Luther, Primary Works, p, 192, translated by Wace and Bucheim, London, 1883.
4) John Wesley, The New Testament, with Explanatory Notes, comment on Romans 6:4, Wakefield, 1872.

WHAT CAN YOU DO? You can accept the authority of Christ by doing what He commanded (Matthew 7:21; John 14:15; 15:10-14; Luke 6:46). Notice the pattern for becoming a Christian as revealed in the Scriptures. The Gospel was heard, resulting in faith (Romans 10:17). Repentance of (turning away from) sin (Acts 17:30) and confession of Jesus as the Son of God followed (Romans 10:10). Believers were baptized INTO Christ for the remission (forgiveness) of sins (See Matthew 28:18-20;Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; 8:35-39; 22:16; Romans 6:3-5; Galatians 3:27; Colossians 2:12; 1 Peter 3:20-21), and added to His church (Acts 2:47). Christians were taught to be faithful even to the point of death (Revelation 2:10).

WE WELCOME YOU Following the instructions of the Scriptures, members of Christ’s body assemble as congregations for worship, encouragement, and Bible study. The congregation in your community welcomes you to investigate the Bible with us. With a spirit of brotherly love we would seek to reconcile any differences by following the Bible ONLY. We recognize the Bible as God’s inspired word, the ONLY reliable standard of faith and practice. We desire the unity for which Christ prayed and which the Bible emphasizes in the expression, “one Lord, one faith, one baptism.” Together we seek to maintain “the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.”

A friendly welcome awaits you. We do not wish to embarrass you in any way. You will not be asked for contributions. We assemble for Bible study and worship each Sunday morning and we welcome you to meet with us. We would be happy to talk to you about your questions and we want to be of encouragement.

Please contact me, Dennis Crawford, at BibleTruthsToU@gmail.com or 253-396-0290 (cell)for comments, questions, further Bible information, or for the location of a congregation belonging to Jesus Christ near you.