subject: Baptism: Sprinkling or Immersion? The Debate Continues [print this page] Baptism: Sprinkling or Immersion? The Debate Continues
There are many definitions of what baptism is and there are many opinions and or theories as to its meaning and significance. But baptism reflects a journey from death to life, from despair to hope, from bondage to freedom.
What is Baptism?Webster's dictionary defines it as a dipping under, a symbol of washing away sin and of spiritual purification. That definition is quite accurate. The word comes from the Greek noun bap'tisma (G908) and the Greek verb bapti'zo (G907). As we shall see, its true meaning is much more significant than Webster's definition. Sprinkling and pouring are not dipping under the water. As we shall see, Immersion into the water is.
How did Baptism Originate?The process of washing away sin, what we call a baptism, probably originated with Noah as the sin-laden world was washed away. Only just and perfect Noah, Gen 6:9, and his immediate family emerged into a sinless world; a new life.
(Gen 6:18 NKJV) "But I will establish my covenant with you; and you shall go into the ark; you, your sons, your wife, and your sons' wives with you.
(Gen 6:9 NKJV) Noah was a just man, perfect in his generations. Noah walked with God.
The next notable example of baptism occurred at the time of the Exodus. The Israelites were leaving a sinful world behind them. But the sinful world would not leave them alone. In Ex 14:9 we can read of the Egyptians threatening the Israelites' exodus. But in the rest of the chapter we read of the deliverance of the Israelites from sin by escaping through the water of the Red Sea. Again sin was destroyed in the water and out of it emerged a cleansed Israel; at least cleansed for awhile. God had done His part. Now it was up to Israel to do theirs. Later we can read that God again established a covenant with Israel.
What was this covenant? A covenant is an agreement, a contract. God promised Noah safety if he would simply build the ark, bring his family into the ark (verse 18), bring the animals into the ark (verse 19) and bring enough food for all (verse 21). Each person had to do their part.
Genuine repentance and conversion are not based on sentiment or emotion artificially stirred up in an altar call. Genuine repentance and conversion involve coming to know that God is real, that He is the Supreme Being (the Messiah) working out His purpose here on earth. That He is directly involved, in a personal way, in His creation. That He is a real spirit being with total power throughout the universe. And that He is our Creator and our Father if we truly surrender our lives to Him. Repentance then becomes deep and personal, the beginning of a relationship between us and our Maker. Repentance is not temporary remorse over mistakes, failures, sins. Again, the emphasis is on the people confessing, i.e. recognizing, their sins and repenting of them and leading a life of righteousness. The way God intended it to be. Documentation out weighs conversation. You can't just talk (remorse) or make reference to your mistakes you have to change (documentation)
This is not at all unlike the bathing or dipping to remove ritual uncleanness.
What, then, does Baptism Involve?(John 3:23 NKJV) Now John also was baptizing in Aenon near Salim, because there was much water there. And they came and were baptized.
Baptism involves the symbolic burial of the old self in water. This verse describes another important fact about baptism: There must be abundant water to be baptized. Sprinkling or pouring won't do. The person must be able to dip or be immersed entirely under the water. Immersion symbolically pictures being buried in a watery grave. Jewish tradition says the mikveh must contain at least 200 gallons of clean water.
(John 4:1-2 NKJV) Therefore, when the Lord knew that the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John {2} (though Jesus Himself did not baptize, but His disciples),
So here we see the three necessary responses to God's calling: Repentance, baptism for the remission of our sins, and receiving the Holy (Ghost) Spirit. Along with repentance we must be committed to living a life in concert with the motivation that will be given us by God's Holy Spirit. It should be obvious from this why infants should not be baptized. Only those who are old enough to truly repent and commit themselves to living a holy (righteous) life should be baptized.
Yes, baptism pictures resurrection, a rising from the dead, for no one can be resurrected and enter the kingdom of God unless he is baptized, has received God's Spirit (Holy Ghost), and is lead by the Spirit (with the evidence of speaking in other tongues). A language only our father understands which he uses to communicate with us. Speaking in tongues will be a future article (lord willing).
In conclusion, we have considered many aspects of baptism. Let's now try to sum it up. Please turn to 1 John 5.
(1 John 5:1-6 NKJV) Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves Him who begot also loves him who is begotten of Him. {2} By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and keep His commandments. {3} For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome. {4} For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world; our faith. {5} Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? {6} This is He who came by water and blood; Jesus Christ; not only by water, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit who bears witness, because the Spirit is truth.
Just like when you take a shower or give your kids a bath, do you just sprinkle a few drops of water on yourself or on your children (when bathing them)? Or do you apply soap and rinse them completely, with plenty of water; until all of the soap is completely rinsed?
Sprinkling or Immersion? You can come up with your own conclusions. The Debate Continues.
