BAPTISM
Baptism is a foundational Christian sacrament that signifies initiation into the faith, symbolizing purification, repentance, and the believer’s identification with the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. It means “immersion” or “dipping,” reflecting the practice of fully submerging the individual in water .
ETYMOLOGY
Greek:
βάπτισμα (báptisma) – “immersion” or “dipping”
From βαπτίζω (baptízō) – “to immerse, submerge” Rooted in everyday Greek use for dipping objects in liquid. ·
Hebrew (parallel concept):
No direct word for “baptism” טָבַל (ṭābal) – “to dip”
רָחַץ (rāḥaṣ) – “to wash”
Used in ritual purification and washing laws in the Old Testament.
Biblical Foundations of Baptism
1. The Great Commission:
“Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you.” ( Matthew 28: 19 –20 )
This passage, known as the Great Commission, records Jesus’ directive to His disciples to baptize new followers in the Trinitarian formula, emphasizing the importance of baptism in the Christian faith.
2. Baptism of Jesus:
“After his baptism, as Jesus came up out of the water, the heavens were opened and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and settling on him. And a voice from heaven said, ‘This is my dearly loved Son, who brings me great joy.’” ( Matthew 3: 16 –17 )
Jesus’ own baptism by John the Baptist serves as a model, demonstrating the practice of immersion and the significance of the act in the Christian tradition.
3. Unity in Christ:
“For you are all children of God through faith in Christ Jesus. And all who have been united with Christ in baptism have put on Christ, like putting on new clothes.” ( Galatians 3: 26 –27 )
This passage underscores the transformative power of baptism, marking the believer’s union with Christ and the commencement of a new spiritual identity.
4. The Role of Baptism:
“Or have you forgotten that when we were joined with Christ Jesus in baptism, we joined him in his death? For we died and were buried with Christ by baptism. And just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious power of the Father, now we also may live new lives.” ( Romans 6: 3 –4 )
Paul explains that baptism symbolizes the believer’s participation in the death and resurrection of Christ, signifying a break from sin and the beginning of a new life in righteousness.
Modes of Baptism:
1. Immersion (Full Body Underwater)
Definition: The entire body is submerged in water. This mode symbolizes the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus.
“For we died and were buried with Christ by baptism. And just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious power of the Father, now we also may live new lives.” ( Romans 6: 4 )
“After his baptism, as Jesus came up out of the water, the heavens were opened and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and settling on him.” ( Matthew 3: 16 )
Used by: Baptists, Evangelicals, Orthodox, some Pentecostal
2. Affusion (Pouring Water Over the Head)
Definition: Water is poured over the head of the person being baptized. Often used when immersion is impractical.
‘In the last days,’ God says, ‘I will pour out my Spirit upon all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy. Your young men will see visions, and your old men will dream dreams. 18 In those days I will pour out my Spirit even on my servants—men and women alike—and they will prophesy. ( Acts 2: 17 -18 )
Even as Peter was saying these things, the Holy Spirit fell upon all who were listening to the message. 45 The Jewish believers who came with Peter were amazed that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles, too. 46Forthey heard them speaking in other tongues and praising God. Then Peter asked, 47 “Can anyone object to their being baptized, now that they have received the Holy Spirit just as we did?” 48 So he gave orders for them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Afterward Cornelius asked him to stay with them for several days. ( Acts 10: 44 -48 )
The Holy Spirit comes upon the Gentiles before water baptism, and they are baptized afterward, which may have been by pouring in a house setting.
Used by: Roman Catholics, Methodists, Presbyterians.
Types of Baptism in the Bible
Baptism of Moses
Symbolic of Israel’s identification with Moses and deliverance from Egypt.
In the cloud and in the sea, all of them were baptized as followers of Moses. ( 1 Corinthians 10: 2 )
John’s Baptism
A baptism of repentance preparing people for the coming of the Messiah.
This messenger was John the Baptist. He was in the wilderness and preached that people should be baptized to show that they had repented of their sins and turned to God to be for given. ( Mark 1: 4 )
Jesus’ Baptism
Jesus identified with humanity and initiated His public ministry
After his baptism, as Jesus came up out of the water, the heavens were opened and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and settling on him. 17 And a voice from heaven said, “This is my dearly loved Son, who brings me great joy.”( Matthew 3: 16 –17 )
Baptism of Suffering
Jesus’ and His followers’ experience of suffering and sacrifice
But Jesus said to them, “You don’t know what you are asking! Are you able to drink from the bitter cup of suffering I am about to drink? Are you able to be baptized with the baptism of suffering I must be baptized with?” 39 “Oh yes,” they replied, “we are able!” Then Jesus told them, “You will indeed drink from my bitter cup and be baptized with my baptism of suffering. ( Mark 10: 38 –39 )
Christian Baptism (Water)
Outward symbol of inward faith; identification with Christ’s death and resurrection.
Or have you forgotten that when we were joined with Christ Jesus in baptism, we joined him in his death? 4 For we died and were buried with Christ by baptism. And just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious power of the Father, now we also may live new lives. ( Romans 6: 3 –4 )
Baptism of the Holy Spirit
Spiritual baptism that unites believers with Christ and the Church.
Some of us are Jews, some are Gentiles, some are slaves, and some are free. But we have all been baptized into one body by one Spirit, and we all share the same Spirit. ( 1 Corinthians 12: 13 )
Baptism by Fire
Refers to divine judgment or purification.
“I baptize with water those who repent of their sins and turn to God. But someone is coming soon who is greater than I am—so much greater that I’m not worthy even to be his slave and carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. 12 He is ready to separate the chaf from the wheat with his winnowing fork. Then he will clean up the threshing area, gathering the wheat into his barn but burning the chaf with never-ending fire.” ( Matthew 3: 11 –12 )
The Purpose of Baptism
Baptism holds a central place in the Christian faith as a sacred act of identification, initiation, and obedience. Though practiced differently across denominations—by immersion, pouring, or sprinkling—its core purpose remains consistent: to publicly declare one’s faith in Jesus Christ and to be welcomed into the community of believers. Baptism symbolizes Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection, and through it, believers demonstrate their desire to die to sin and live a new life in Christ. While some traditions teach that baptism removes original sin or is essential for salvation, others view it as a symbolic act of obedience following personal faith.
Despite these differences, baptism universally represents a believer’s union with Christ, entry into the body of the Church, and commitment to a life of discipleship and grace.
For we died and were buried with Christ by baptism. And just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious power of the Father, now we also may live new lives. ( Romans 6: 4 )