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| NEW TESTAMENT METHOD OF
BAPTISM |
#117
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In the world of “Christian Denominations,” two things about
water baptism have long been debated. The “Purpose” (which is
the topic of lessons 111-115) and the “Method” (which shall
be considered in this study). Basically, three methods of
water “baptism” are administered in various churches:
Sprinkling, Pouring, and Immersion. For all practical purposes,
our first and foremost concern should be to determine what was
taught and practiced by the Apostles and Evangelists of the
first century church. A simple study in language will help us in
this pursuit.
Perhaps you realize that the New Testament was originally
written in Koine Greek. This language was far more explicit than
our English of today, for the Greeks of the first century had
very specific words with very specific meanings. For instance,
our English word “baptism” is a noun which comes from the Greek
word baptisma. In his Expository Dictionary of New
Testament Words, W.E. Vine defines baptisma in this
way: “baptism, consisting of the process of immersion,
submersion and emergence (from the root word bapto, which
means to dip).” The verb form of this word, baptizo,
means “to dip or immerse” (as defined in The Analytical Greek
Lexicon Revised).
When the Greek speaking writers of the first century used
the word baptizo, they did not have in mind the idea of
“sprinkle” or “pour.” They had specific words for those ideas.
The word rantizo, which means “to sprinkle,” is used in
Hebrews 9:21 to describe the sprinkling of blood in the
tabernacle. The word Ekkeo, which means “to pour,” is
used in John 2:15 to describe an occasion when coins were
“poured out.” Obviously, New Testament writers knew the words
which meant “to sprinkle” and “to pour,” but they used the word
which meant “to immerse” when describing baptism “... for the
forgiveness of your sins ...” (Acts 2:38).
Now ... let’s see if we can detect any evidence in the New
Testament that “immersion” was the method employed for
“baptism.” In Acts 8:38, when the Ethiopian eunuch was baptized,
it says, “... and they both went down into the water, Philip as
well as the eunuch; and he baptized him.” Obviously, there would
be no need for both men to go “down into the water” if
sprinkling or pouring were used. But it is
necessary for both to go “down into the water” if immersion was
the method. Again, in John 3:23 we find the implication of
immersion. It reads, “And John also was baptizing in Aenon near
Salim, because there was much water there; and they were
coming and were being baptized.” The reason people had to come
to John for baptism was because of the ample supply of
water at that location. John could have gone to them and could
have sprinkled 500 people from a canteen if immersion was not
the method he was using. Add to that Paul’s description of
“baptism” in Romans 6:4. From this passage it seems certain that
immersion must have been the practice used. Paul said we are “buried
with Him through baptism into death.” The symbolism of a
Death, Burial, and Resurrection is best served by immersion
in water. We do not “sprinkle” some dirt on a person who is
being buried, but we “enclose” them in the earth.
After looking at New Testament examples of baptism,
New Testament descriptions of baptism, and the New
Testament word for baptism, we wonder why immersion is
not the method used in every case today. The reasons are
obvious: “convenience and tradition.” What do you think
... is it O.K. to change the doctrine or practice of New
Testament writers for the sake of convenience? Is it O.K. to
replace the teachings of Christ’s Apostles and Prophets with the
traditions of uninspired others? Well ... maybe you will not be
able to answer that question without some further study. Please
move on to the next category: THE SUPREME
AUTHORITY. There is some good Bible study awaiting you
there!
| Bible
Probe |
NEW TESTAMENT
METHOD OF BAPTISM |
117
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1. What three methods of water baptism are administered
in various churches?
2. Define the following Greek words and site a reference
where they are found in the N.T.
EKKEO
RANTIZO
BAPTIZO
3. Which of these three words did New Testament writers
use to describe BAPTISM “for the forgiveness of
your sins”? (Acts 2:38)
4. What evidence do you find in Acts 8:38 that the
Ethiopian man was “immersed” in water?
5. What implication do you see in John 3:23 that
immersion was the method of baptism?
6. Explain why Romans 6:4 gives clear evidence for the
use of immersion in baptism.
7. How much importance should the church today place on
following New Testament commands and
examples?
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Your Bible questions answered here.