Baptism
The word “baptize” (Greek is “baptizo”) literally means “to dip” or “submerse.” Its original usage was when someone had some fabric they wanted to dye a different color, they would “baptize” it in the dye. It went in one color, and came out another!
Baptism was a cultural practice that preceded Christianity. John the Baptist (the prophet who transitioned from the Old Testament to the New Testament) baptized people for the repentance of sins (Luke 3). This word, then, had obviously taken on a symbolic, spiritual meaning by the time Christianity came around. There are a few VERY important things a Christian should know about baptism according to the Bible:
- Why should someone be baptized?
- How should it be done?
Why should someone be baptized?
Because they have been born again. It is an act symbolizing what has already happened.
- * Acts 2:41 tells us that those that heard (and received) Peters message of repentance were baptized. They believed, and they were baptized. Other examples of this progression can be seen in Acts 8:12, 10:44-48, 16:14-15, and 16:32-33. Jesus told his disciples to “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:19-20)
Becoming a disciple happens first, baptism follows.
How should it be done?
Full immersion: be lowered into the water and raised up.
- There has been much conflict throughout the years regarding whether or not a person should be “fully immersed” or merely “sprinkled.” It is important to point out that baptism is a SYMBOL of what has already happened in the life of the believer. The method of baptism certainly is not an issue that would affect salvation, and it is unfortunate that such a big deal has been made over a relatively insignificant distinction. If someone comes to Christ in a drought stricken area, and there is no way for them to be fully immersed in water when they are baptized, it does not mean that they are breaking God’s law.
- It is also important, however, to point out that the bible does DESCRIBE (not “prescribe”, but DESCRIBE) full immersion as the method of baptism. For instance, John the Baptist was baptizing people IN the Jordan river, not near or next to it (John 2:23). When Phillip shared the gospel with the Ethiopian eunuch, they found a body of water near by to be baptized in; they didn’t just open up a canteen and sprinkle him (Acts 8:38-39)
- Why should this even matter? Symbolism. When we are baptized, we symbolically die with Christ (lowering into the water) and are raised up with Him, cleansed, and with new life. (Romans 6:1-11, Colossians 2:12)
