sunilgill_87
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- Dec 7, 2004
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The Greek word translated "baptize" is baptizo, the common Greek term for immerse, submerge or put into. So most English Bibles merely anglicize the word to a slightly different spelling rather than translate it. The important point is that, in the Bible, "baptize" always means immerse.
Other authors of the time write of naval battles in which ships were "baptized" —completely sunk—in the sea. Therefore, it is nonsensical to say one can baptize (immerse or submerge) by pouring or sprinkling. The Bible itself proves that baptism meant immersion. John the Baptist needed "much water" for baptizing (John 3:23). Jesus, when John baptized Him, "came up immediately from the water" (Matthew 3:16). When Philip baptized the eunuch, they "went down into the water" (Acts 8:38). Afterwards, "they came up out of the water" (verse 39).
Why is this important? Because of what baptism represents. Being put into and under water pictures a burial, and rising from the water pictures a resurrection.
Baptism actually pictures three deaths, burials and resurrections. First, baptism symbolizes our faith "that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures" (1 Corinthians 15:3-4).
Second, it symbolizes our acknowledgement of the need for our old sinful way of life to be "put to death" and be buried forever (Colossians 3:5; 2:12). And our rising from the water symbolizes our beginning to "walk in newness of life" (Romans 6:3-6). Of course our spiritual character isn't immediately transformed in those few seconds. Baptism is a sign of our lifelong dedication and commitment to that goal.
Third, baptism symbolizes one's faith in the hope of the literal resurrection to come—"that there will be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and the unjust" (Acts 24:15).
Baptism: Much more than a ceremony
Symbolism is important, but baptism is much more than symbolism. If you were to ask 100 people who are seeking to be baptized, "Have you ever asked God to forgive you?" probably 99 would say yes. Then ask the 99, "Do you think God answered those prayers and forgave you?" Maybe 98 of them will say yes. Then ask them, "So why be baptized if God has already forgiven you, since Acts 2:38 says that the purpose of baptism is to have your sins forgiven?"
Most people are confused. Even when they realize baptism is a biblical requirement, they think of it as a mere ritual of thanksgiving for God's forgiveness. But Acts 2:38 states that baptism is a required condition for forgiveness. Before forgiveness, God requires this public profession of commitment to Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord (meaning Master —to rule over our lives, Luke 6:46).
Many have misinterpreted 1 John 1:9, which says, "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." Most people fail to realize that the New Testament epistles were written primarily to Church members—those who had already been baptized. In the epistles, the pronouns "we" and "us" refer to baptized members; "they" and "them" usually refer to nonmembers.
Therefore, 1 John 1:9 tells us that if a person who has received initial forgiveness through baptism sins after that, he does not need to be baptized again and again. Each subsequent time he sins, he only needs to repent of that sin, confess it to God and ask God's forgiveness—and God will immediately forgive. This is one of the awesome privileges a person has once he has been baptized!
This explains why baptism is so important! God holds each person guilty of every sin he has ever committed until those sins are blotted out at baptism (Acts 3:19; 22:16). At the moment the repentant person is immersed in water, all his past sins are forgiven! What a joy it is to stand clean before God!
Other authors of the time write of naval battles in which ships were "baptized" —completely sunk—in the sea. Therefore, it is nonsensical to say one can baptize (immerse or submerge) by pouring or sprinkling. The Bible itself proves that baptism meant immersion. John the Baptist needed "much water" for baptizing (John 3:23). Jesus, when John baptized Him, "came up immediately from the water" (Matthew 3:16). When Philip baptized the eunuch, they "went down into the water" (Acts 8:38). Afterwards, "they came up out of the water" (verse 39).
Why is this important? Because of what baptism represents. Being put into and under water pictures a burial, and rising from the water pictures a resurrection.
Baptism actually pictures three deaths, burials and resurrections. First, baptism symbolizes our faith "that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures" (1 Corinthians 15:3-4).
Second, it symbolizes our acknowledgement of the need for our old sinful way of life to be "put to death" and be buried forever (Colossians 3:5; 2:12). And our rising from the water symbolizes our beginning to "walk in newness of life" (Romans 6:3-6). Of course our spiritual character isn't immediately transformed in those few seconds. Baptism is a sign of our lifelong dedication and commitment to that goal.
Third, baptism symbolizes one's faith in the hope of the literal resurrection to come—"that there will be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and the unjust" (Acts 24:15).
Baptism: Much more than a ceremony
Symbolism is important, but baptism is much more than symbolism. If you were to ask 100 people who are seeking to be baptized, "Have you ever asked God to forgive you?" probably 99 would say yes. Then ask the 99, "Do you think God answered those prayers and forgave you?" Maybe 98 of them will say yes. Then ask them, "So why be baptized if God has already forgiven you, since Acts 2:38 says that the purpose of baptism is to have your sins forgiven?"
Most people are confused. Even when they realize baptism is a biblical requirement, they think of it as a mere ritual of thanksgiving for God's forgiveness. But Acts 2:38 states that baptism is a required condition for forgiveness. Before forgiveness, God requires this public profession of commitment to Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord (meaning Master —to rule over our lives, Luke 6:46).
Many have misinterpreted 1 John 1:9, which says, "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." Most people fail to realize that the New Testament epistles were written primarily to Church members—those who had already been baptized. In the epistles, the pronouns "we" and "us" refer to baptized members; "they" and "them" usually refer to nonmembers.
Therefore, 1 John 1:9 tells us that if a person who has received initial forgiveness through baptism sins after that, he does not need to be baptized again and again. Each subsequent time he sins, he only needs to repent of that sin, confess it to God and ask God's forgiveness—and God will immediately forgive. This is one of the awesome privileges a person has once he has been baptized!
This explains why baptism is so important! God holds each person guilty of every sin he has ever committed until those sins are blotted out at baptism (Acts 3:19; 22:16). At the moment the repentant person is immersed in water, all his past sins are forgiven! What a joy it is to stand clean before God!
