There is a great deal of discussion on the subject of baptism. We have discussed it in this group. You might have been baptized. What is it? What dose the Bible have to say about it? I know that there are many ways that denominations practice it, if they even do. But what dose God say about it?

First, let's check what our old friend Noah Webster states for a definition. The dictionary uses words such as immersion or plunge. Later, after bringing up Christianity, after immersion, there are some quick mentions of dipping or sprinkling. But in the editions that I consulted, it seems that those last mentions were more of examples of how some churches use the word.. Thus providing examples of usage.

The way the Bible uses the word leads us to Webster's first definition. Do a word search and you will find examples such as:

Mark 1: 9,10 where Christ was baptized "in" the Jordan and came "up out of the water".
John 3:3 Christ called baptism "a birth"
Acts 8:36-39 where it is described as "going down into" and then a "coming up out of"
Acts 22:16 a washing
Romans 6:4 a burial
Romans 6:5 a planting
Col. 2:12 a resurrection
Titus 3:5 a "washing of regeneration"
Matt. 3:16 after baptism Jesus "went up straightway out of the water" That had to mean that first He went down into the water.
Many scriptures use the word "in" when describing the instance.
John 3:5 Jesus calls it a "birth". Births come out of the mother. A coming forth or to come out.
Plus not wanting to state the obvious, but all the examples take place around water. So water is necessary.
Acts 8:38 they went "down into the water"

The word baptize comes from the Greek word, "baptizo". That word means to dip, plunge or immerse.

What is the reason for baptism? The Bible points to the act as important for salvation. We see numerous verses that show that when a person realizes that they have sinned, they undergo a change. They ask what they need to do. Or in the case of Phillip and the Eunuch, it was the man himself that realized that there was water and if he could be baptized. After they went down into the water and came back up, the Eunuch went on his way rejoicing. Matt. 3:7 states it is to flee the wrath that is to come. Matt. 3: 14,15 states that it is to fulfill all righteousness. Matt. 3:16 states that it is a means by which Heaven is opened to us. It should also be pointed out here that children are not able to come to this decision of right and wrong. They can when they reach an age to be able to account and understand they have sined and need forgivness. Plus, what baby has sin that requires baptism? That is an addition to scripture that is not based on Biblical teaching.

Next are some very interesting scriptures. Matt. 3:17 says baptism is to make us "sons" of God. Matt. 3:17 notes that it "pleases" God. It makes Him happy. Luke : 7:28,29 claims that it is to justify God and to accept the counsel of God. John 1:31 says it is to manifest Christ to the world. The powerful passage in Acts 2:38 makes it known that baptism is for remission of sins. Then to receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Can you find any other way that man can receive the Holy Spirit? Other passages describe baptism as a way to commemorate the burial and then resurrection of Christ. It is the way to get into the church or into Christ. It saves and is to cleanse us.

Look at Mark 16: 15,16, Gal. 3:27 and John 3:5 to see if man can be saved any other way. But you might ask what about sprinkling? Well, why then all the references to going into the water, coming out, birth and related, if one was simply going to be sprinkled and poured? Do a word search on sprinkling in the Bible. You find sprinkling of ashes and blood. Then oil. Blood and water. Plus, blood with water. No where is there a reference to sprinkling or pouring to baptism. In fact Paul writes, "Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water." From what we have seen the washing refers to baptism.

So then what saves us? The hymn says the "hour we first believed". Is it the water? Dose God some how change the water? What happens if you get immersed in a church baptistery, river, swimming pool or bath tub. Is it the water that saves you? Is it your act of faith? Is it the repentance and changing from your sinful ways before? Or is it all of that? I would suggest that it is the trust and obedience in God that comes from faith. It is the representation of the death, burial and resurrection into a new life as Christ had. Christ set the example. He asks us to follow His example. As we have examined the scriptures we see that we are added to the family of God, becoming sons of God and to get into Christ through baptism. Then if you are still in the mood for a Bible word search, we become part of the church and the bridegroom of Christ. Then we wear His name. We are given the free gift of a helper and guide called the Holy Spirit. We receive His Grace.

Is this a free ticket to heaven? No we still need to seek, trust and follow Him. We need to work on a "mission" in His name. We need to spread the good news called the Gospel. That is the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus. Remember we studied that there is no other name under Heaven that we can be saved.

Yes the Bible speaks of baptism of fire and of the Spirit. The Jews who accepted baptism from John confessed his sins and expressed his determination to life a righteous life. The Christian water baptism as we noted before is symbolic of the Lord's death, burial and resurrection. The baptism of the Holy Spirit is a spiritual union. A union of the reality symbolized by the Christian's water baptism and their uniting with the Holy Spirit. The fire baptism is referred to in Matt. 3:11 and has been interpreted in two different ways. The fire that destroys the wheat from the chaff. The "unrepentant"? Others emphasize the many symbolic references to fire in the Old Testament as a purifying agent. The Holy Spirit enters our body and lives there. He not only joins Jesus, but also begins a purifying and cleansing process. This reflects back to our study on the Holy Spirit.

In conclusion, do you need baptism? What are the scriptures telling you? What act, yes symbolic but important and in some ways, could be a command, adds you to the family of God? What provides the gift of the Holy Spirit? Plus what act has been changed and altered by many over the years to possibly fit some agenda?

How do you respond to those questions with your study? Where do you go from here?