There are three different views on the way baptism can or should be done. Immersion being one view, is where a person is completely submerged in water. Others believe baptism can be by (affusion) pouring or (aspersion) sprinkling water on someone. With baptism being a necessary part of salvation, it is crucial to get it right. Should baptism be by immersion, pouring, or sprinkling?
Baptizo Means Immersion
The word baptize that we find in the New Testament is translated from the Greek word baptizo. It means to immerse or immersion. Some current definitions can be found that say the word baptize means to dip in water or to sprinkle water on a person. This is only a reflection of some modern views about what the word means. It does not reflect what the Greek word meant when it was used in the Bible.
Baptism In The Scriptures
When people were baptized in the Bible, we find statements such as they came up out of the water, they were baptized in the Jordan River, and there was plenty of water.
(Mark 1:5) The whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem went out to him. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River.
(Mark 1:9-10) At that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. Just as Jesus was coming up out of the water…
(Acts 8:38-39) And he gave orders to stop the chariot. Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and Philip baptized him. When they came up out of the water…
(John 3:23) Now John also was baptizing at Aenon near Salim, because there was plenty of water, and people were coming and being baptized.
All of these Scriptures are consistent with being immersed. There would no need to have plenty of water such as the Jordan River if baptism only required sprinkling or pouring water on a person.
Buried With Christ Through Baptism
(Romans 6:4) We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.
(Colossians 2:12) And having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through your faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead.
To be buried with Christ through baptism and then be raised, this requires going under the water and then raising out of the water. While some will follow man-made traditions such as sprinkling and pouring water over people’s head as a form of baptism, salvation only comes by following God’s plan. His plan is baptism by immersion in Jesus name.
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