Water Baptism
What is the purpose of water baptism? Christians use water baptism as a tool of identification and symbolization of a walk with Jesus Christ. In fact, there are several instances in scripture where Jesus commands believers to undergo the immersion ceremony. Since Jesus has proclaimed this command, most believers follow Christ in this symbolic manner. How is this rite carried out? Generally, a rectangular tank in a church, normally at the front behind the choir area, is filled with warm water. The tank has steps on both sides where the baptismal candidates enter and leave the baptism pool. The Pastor usually has passages of scripture that are read, he prays over the candidate, and then proceeds with the baptism. Water baptism in the Bible took place in rivers, lakes, streams and seas. Today, the opportunity is available to immerse within a building, which is very convenient for believers to have the rite completed in short order.
Throughout the Bible, whenever the purpose of baptism is discussed or mentioned, it often pertains to the action that is carried out after someone decides to believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, was crucified for sins, and was buried and resurrected to eternal life. The believer must realize he or she is a sinner and repent or turn away from their sins (since everyone is a sinner, everyone sins). Then the person accepts Jesus into their heart to begin a personal relationship with Him. The Christian believes that Jesus' atoning death on the cross and his shed blood covers or cleanses of all sin. From that point on, the person is a new creation in Christ Jesus. The act of immersion and the purpose of baptism are the symbolization of this new life, or the symbolic burial and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ.
The purpose of baptism is to show the world and other practicing Christians that the person being baptized wishes to identify himself or herself with Christ. Often, the phrase "following the Lord in baptism" is used. Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist when He first began His ministry. The meaning of the word here is "baptisma" or "baptism" which means an immersion, submersion or emergence ("bapto"- to dip). Other instances of this word are used in the scriptures to describe difficult circumstances that Christians may experience, and also refers to the afflictions the Lord Jesus Christ underwent.
The word baptism is from the Greek meaning to immerse. The meaning is, to go completely under the water. The purpose of baptism in the Bible is practiced by many different religions, but in different ways. Not all methods of this ceremony are scriptural. No where in the Bible are there examples of pouring water over someone's head, or sprinkling them. You cannot infer this, even if the rite is not described, because the Greek word itself means to immerse under the water. Therefore, if someone has been sprinkled, or has had water poured over them, they have not been scripturally baptized. In the New Testament, the word describes a washing of the person - in this case, the washing of feet. The Greek word used in this sense is "baptizo" or "to baptize".
In the book of Matthew, when someone is baptized into the name of Christ, then that person is closely affiliated with the person whose name into which he is being baptized. During Pentecost, the Holy Spirit came and baptized the disciples. This means He indwelled the believers with Christ's Spirit. The Holy Spirit was the helper of the Christians and taught them all things about scripture and truth. This is what is referred to as "baptized with the Spirit".
Water baptism in the Bible is always carried out after the person has come to understand his or her position of belief. If the person does not believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and that He has the power to forgive people their sins, then there is no repentance, and therefore no forgiveness of sins. One can see then, that there would be no reason to go forward with the ceremony. However, once the person believes and repents, then the command is to be immersed. It means the person identifies himself or herself with Christ, determining to follow Him throughout life. Water does not cleanse the person of sin, but rather Jesus' sacrifice, His blood He shed on the cross accomplishes the cleansing. Submersion symbolizes this cleansing. Ephesians 5:26 ("the washing of water by the Word") uses the Greek work "ek" meaning "out of" in relation to the action of washing in the water, when speaking of baptism. What this is saying is that water is the symbol and not the vehicle of identification with the Lord. The person is literally being baptized out of their old life and emerges into new life.
It is important that careful study of the meaning of immersion in the Bible is carried out, so that the student understands how to apply this important command to their spiritual life. Jesus loves the believer, and wants identification with them. It may be that those who profess faith but never get baptized are ashamed to be identified with Christ. In order for the believer to show both God and mankind that there is no shame in identifying with Christ, the command of water baptism should be carried out as soon as possible after a profession of faith. It is a beautiful symbol, not only for the person being baptized, but for those who are witnessing it as well. It is a blessing!
Throughout the Bible, whenever the purpose of baptism is discussed or mentioned, it often pertains to the action that is carried out after someone decides to believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, was crucified for sins, and was buried and resurrected to eternal life. The believer must realize he or she is a sinner and repent or turn away from their sins (since everyone is a sinner, everyone sins). Then the person accepts Jesus into their heart to begin a personal relationship with Him. The Christian believes that Jesus' atoning death on the cross and his shed blood covers or cleanses of all sin. From that point on, the person is a new creation in Christ Jesus. The act of immersion and the purpose of baptism are the symbolization of this new life, or the symbolic burial and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ.
The purpose of baptism is to show the world and other practicing Christians that the person being baptized wishes to identify himself or herself with Christ. Often, the phrase "following the Lord in baptism" is used. Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist when He first began His ministry. The meaning of the word here is "baptisma" or "baptism" which means an immersion, submersion or emergence ("bapto"- to dip). Other instances of this word are used in the scriptures to describe difficult circumstances that Christians may experience, and also refers to the afflictions the Lord Jesus Christ underwent.
The word baptism is from the Greek meaning to immerse. The meaning is, to go completely under the water. The purpose of baptism in the Bible is practiced by many different religions, but in different ways. Not all methods of this ceremony are scriptural. No where in the Bible are there examples of pouring water over someone's head, or sprinkling them. You cannot infer this, even if the rite is not described, because the Greek word itself means to immerse under the water. Therefore, if someone has been sprinkled, or has had water poured over them, they have not been scripturally baptized. In the New Testament, the word describes a washing of the person - in this case, the washing of feet. The Greek word used in this sense is "baptizo" or "to baptize".
In the book of Matthew, when someone is baptized into the name of Christ, then that person is closely affiliated with the person whose name into which he is being baptized. During Pentecost, the Holy Spirit came and baptized the disciples. This means He indwelled the believers with Christ's Spirit. The Holy Spirit was the helper of the Christians and taught them all things about scripture and truth. This is what is referred to as "baptized with the Spirit".
Water baptism in the Bible is always carried out after the person has come to understand his or her position of belief. If the person does not believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and that He has the power to forgive people their sins, then there is no repentance, and therefore no forgiveness of sins. One can see then, that there would be no reason to go forward with the ceremony. However, once the person believes and repents, then the command is to be immersed. It means the person identifies himself or herself with Christ, determining to follow Him throughout life. Water does not cleanse the person of sin, but rather Jesus' sacrifice, His blood He shed on the cross accomplishes the cleansing. Submersion symbolizes this cleansing. Ephesians 5:26 ("the washing of water by the Word") uses the Greek work "ek" meaning "out of" in relation to the action of washing in the water, when speaking of baptism. What this is saying is that water is the symbol and not the vehicle of identification with the Lord. The person is literally being baptized out of their old life and emerges into new life.
It is important that careful study of the meaning of immersion in the Bible is carried out, so that the student understands how to apply this important command to their spiritual life. Jesus loves the believer, and wants identification with them. It may be that those who profess faith but never get baptized are ashamed to be identified with Christ. In order for the believer to show both God and mankind that there is no shame in identifying with Christ, the command of water baptism should be carried out as soon as possible after a profession of faith. It is a beautiful symbol, not only for the person being baptized, but for those who are witnessing it as well. It is a blessing!
Water Baptism
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