True Baptism
Baptism is the act of being emerged in water, completely covered by the water.
John the Baptist immersed people in the Jordan, Matthew 3:6, 16 (KJV)
- 6 “And were baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins”
- 16 “And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water”
Mark 1:9-10 (KJV)
- 9 And it came to pass in those days, that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized of John in Jordan.
- 10 And straightway coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens opened, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon him
When Philip baptized the Ethiopian, he took him “down into the water,” then baptized (immersed) him, and then
“they came up out of the water”—which indicated an immersion in water, Acts 8:38-39 (KJV)
- 38 And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.
- 39 And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing.
Baptism entailed a burial and a resurrection from the water which was symbolic of one’s death to sin;
a burial with Christ, and resurrection to walk in newness of life, Romans 6:3-5, Colossians 2:11-13 (KJV)
Romans 6:3-5 (KJV)
- 3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?
- 4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
- 5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection.
Colossians 2:11-13 (KJV)
- 11 In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ.
- 12 Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.
- 13 And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses.
Infant Baptism
Infant baptism is sprinkling and is a cary over from the Roman Catholic church of which there is no reference to in the New Testament.
The baptism of the New Testament is a burial.
“Baptismal regeneration” is a belief held by Lutherans. Regeneration is effected by means of this water ritual. The belief is that the baby is thought to be regenerated even though it hasn’t developed to the point that it knows the reason for Baptism.
A belief held by Luther was that God mysteriously and miraculously gave the “gift of faith” even to the unconscious infant!
Baptism means “immersion” from the word it is translated from.
Thayer’s Greek Lexicon definitions for baptism
Strongs number: 907* baptizoo;
1. properly, to dip repeatedly, to immerge, submerge
2. to cleanse by dipping or submerging
Strongs number 907
bapti/zw baptizo (bap-tid’-zo); from a derivative of NT:911;
to immerse, submerge; to make overwhelmed
(i.e. fully wet);used only (in the N.T.) of ceremonial ablution, especially (technically) of the ordinance of Christian baptism.