BAPTISM - LESSON 3

TAKE A QUIZ

Do we need to be immersed to be baptized? Yes No

In the religious world today minds differ on the necessity and the mode of water baptism. In this study we will focus on the action necessary to effect New Testament baptism. Does the New Testament authorize sprinkling, pouring or immersion? Is one mode to be preferred over another, or are all three acceptable before God and Christ? We will learn through our study of the Scriptures that baptism is immersion only.

MATTHEW 3:5–6

5 Then Jerusalem and all Judea and all the region about the Jordan were going out to him, 6 and they were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins.

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COMMENTARY

John was baptizing in the Jordan River. Why IN the river if all he needed was a cupful of water, or a branch dipped in water with enough water on it to sprinkle?

1/12

JOHN 3:23

23 John also was baptizing at Aenon near Salim, because water was plentiful there, and people were coming and being baptized

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COMMENTARY

You would not necessarily need MUCH water for sprinkling or pouring, yet the reason John was baptizing in this particular place was because there was MUCH water. What was John doing that necessitated MUCH water?

2/12

MARK 1:5, 9–10

5 And all the country of Judea and all Jerusalem were going out to him and were being baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins.

9 In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. 10 And when he came up out of the water, immediately he saw the heavens being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove.

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COMMENTARY

The men of Jerusalem, Judea and all around Jordan CAME to John to be baptized. Finally, Jesus CAME to be baptized of John. When John completed baptizing Jesus, He came UP and OUT of the water. What was John doing that required that men go to him? If sprinkling is the action in view, why would it be necessary to be IN the river, and to come UP and OUT of the river?

3/12

ACTS 8:36–39

36 And as they were going along the road they came to some water, and the eunuch said, “See, here is water! What prevents me from being baptized?” 38 And he commanded the chariot to stop, and they both went down into the water, Philip and the eunuch, and he baptized him. 39 And when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord carried Philip away, and the eunuch saw him no more, and went on his way rejoicing.

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COMMENTARY

As in the cases above the amount water necessary to accomplish baptism is such that the candidate must COME to it. Notice also that the baptizer and the baptized both go INTO the water. Why should both go INTO the water if only a cupful for sprinkling or pouring was needed? Finally, considering all that the text says, what action could possibly necessitate going INTO the water, BAPTIZING, and COMING UP OUT of the water? Immersion is the only action that corresponds to all of these facts.

4/12

ACTS 22:16

16 And now why do you wait? Rise and be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on his name.’

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COMMENTARY

Baptism is called a “washing.” Which action, sprinkling, pouring or immersion, is most consistent with the idea of “washing away sins”?

5/12

LEVITICUS 14:15-16

15 Then the priest shall take some of the log of oil and pour it into the palm of his own left hand 16 and dip his right finger in the oil that is in his left hand and sprinkle some oil with his finger seven times before the Lord.

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COMMENTARY

This text supplies all three actions that are claimed for baptism–– dipping, pouring, and sprinkling. It is clear that “dipping” is not the same action as “pouring” or “sprinkling.” Compare this text with Acts 8:38. Did Philip dip, pour or sprinkle the Eunuch when it says, “He baptized him.” (In the LXX text of this verse the Greek words baptizo and rhantizo are used for dip and sprinkle respectively.)

6/12

EPHESIANS 5:26

26 that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word,

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COMMENTARY

There is one thing commanded by Christ associated with salvation that involves water, namely, baptism. Which action, sprinkling, pouring or immersion, is most consistent with the idea of “the washing of water”?

7/12

TITUS 3:5

5 he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit,

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COMMENTARY

Which action, sprinkling, pouring or immersion, is most consistent with the idea of the “washing of regeneration”?

8/12

ROMANS 6:3–4

3 Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4 We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.

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COMMENTARY

This passage tells us we are BURIED with Christ. How could sprinkling or pouring come close to resembling a burial? Does one “bury” by sprinkling a little dirt on a dead body or is it accomplished by immersing the body in the grave? Paul tells us that the old man of sin is crucified with Jesus and destroyed in the grave of baptism; then, the new man is raised to walk in “newness of life.” Which action, sprinkling, poring or immersion, best represents this truth?

9/12

GENESIS 23:4, 19

4 “I am a sojourner and foreigner among you; give me property among you for a burying place, tha

19 After this, Abraham buried Sarah his wife in the cave of the field of Machpelah east of Mamre (that is, Hebron) in the land of Canaan.

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COMMENTARY

What did Abraham require in order to bury Sarah? He said he wanted to bury her “out of my sight,” so he buried her IN the cave of the field of Machpelah. A literal burial is an immersion in the grave of earth, and baptism is an immersion in the grave of water?

10/12

COLOSSIANS 2:12

12 having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead.

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COMMENTARY

BURIED and RAISED in baptism. Compare to Romans 6:3–4. Note that baptism also involves a RESURRECTION. What action, sprinkling, pouring or immersion, facilitates the representation of being “risen with Christ” in the “likeness of His resurrection”?

11/12

COLOSSIANS 3:1-4

3 If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. 3 For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

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COMMENTARY

When are we said to be risen with Christ? What action portrays our resurrection to new life, sprinkling, pouring or immersion? It is only when we have been “risen with Christ” in baptism that we are “dead” to sin and alive “in Christ”. Only those risen with Christ have the hope of appearing with Him in glory. What is your condition without immersion? Do you have any hope of eternal life.

12/12

Completed!

CLICK TO BEGIN LESSON 4 - WHAT IT MEANS TO BELIEVE IN JESUS

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