(Acts 2:38 KJV) Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized
every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and
ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
Recently I received another e-mail condemning me to hell because I do
not embrace the belief that water baptism is necessary for salvation. The
main reason as to why many Christians grasp the belief that water baptism is
necessary for salvation is because they lack discernment when looking at the
baptism verses in Scripture. The following are a summation of verses which
deal with baptism:
63 verses contain the word “baptizô ”
(baptizw)
which may be translated dip, immerse, submerge, or baptize.
22 verses contain the word “baptisma” (
baptisma)
which may be translated baptism, rite or ceremony of baptism.
4 verses contain the word “baptismos” (
baptismós)
which may be translated washing or cleansing.
We will return to the verses and their locations a little later in the
study. The main word which we are going to focus on is the word “baptizô ”
because it deals with immersion. The two definitions from the 1828 Webster
Dictionary are as follows:
1. To put under water or other fluid; to plunge; to dip.
2. To sink or cover deep; to cover wholly; as, to be immersed in a wood.
The 2003 Merriam-Webster Definition basically carries the same
definitions”:
1 : to plunge into something that surrounds or covers; especially : to
plunge or dip into a fluid
2 : Engross, Absorb
So we can safely conclude that the word “immerse” always means something
which is placed into something thus covering it or absorbing it fully. This
is very important because it brings to light the definitions we are going to
look at. In the beginning I wrote about many lacking discernment when
looking at verses which contain the words baptism, baptize, or baptized.
Instantly what comes to mind when looking at these words is water baptism
and that is because as Christians we are all familiar with it. Now this
article is not on the endless subject of which is the best way to baptize,
immersion, sprinkling, or pouring. It is on the subject of whether the verse
in view is speaking about water baptism or spiritual baptism. In the
Scriptures there are four types of baptism mentioned:
1)
(1 Cor 10:2 KJV) And were all baptized unto Moses in
the cloud and in the sea;
Paul states that the nation of Israel was baptized unto Moses. This
baptism that he was speaking of was the uniting of the nation of Israel with
Moses. The nation of Israel had been led by Moses and the covenant of law
was given through Moses. This means that Israel was following Moses, who was
under God’s direction, in not only the physical aspects of those directions,
but were also under the spiritual aspects. This direction was in effect even
when they came out of Egypt. There was a common responsibility that Israel
had and that was obedience to God. At the time of the cloud and Red Sea
crossing, it was the beginning of their dealings with God and the covenant
of Sinai.
2)
(Gal 3:27 KJV) For as many of you as have been
baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
(Rom 6:3-4 KJV) Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into
Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? {4} Therefore we are
buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up
from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in
newness of life. The true believer was baptized into the
death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. This means we died with Him
to the world and when we received our new resurrected souls, we were now
alive unto God and live in newness of life which is the Christian life. This
has nothing whatsoever to do with water baptism. Water baptism does not have
the effect of placing a sinner into Christ and making them a new creation.
Water baptism is only a symbol in that we died with Christ and when we come
out of the water it symbolizes the resurrection unto new life. A person can
only put on Christ when they have become truly saved. The symbol here is
that we put on the robes of Christ’s righteousness which is covering us with
salvation. (Isa 61:3 KJV) To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion,
to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment
of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of
righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified.
In Isaiah 61:3 it is called the “garment of praise.”
3)
(Acts 8:36 KJV) And as they went on their way, they
came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water;
what doth hinder me to be baptized?
Philip had joined himself to the chariot of the Ethiopian Eunuch and he
had helped the dignitary understand the scroll that Isaiah 53 was speaking
about the Lord Jesus Christ. The Eunuch was coming back from Jerusalem after
celebrating the feast of Pentecost and was a Gentile convert to Judaism. The
writings in the scrolls which he purchased from the Temple was bewildering
him and that is why God sent Philip to him. This dignitary had become saved
and now Philip was riding with him and when they came upon some water, the
Eunuch desired to be baptized in the water as a symbol of what happened to
him internally.
4)
(Acts 1:5 KJV) For John truly baptized with water;
but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.
Mark 1:8 KJV) I indeed have baptized you with water: but he shall
baptize you with the Holy Ghost. John had baptized in
water which was a foreshadow or picture of the believer’s baptism in the
Holy Spirit. There are many today who misuse and misunderstand this baptism.
In fact, I am sure you have it heard it labeled “the baptism of the Holy
Ghost.” The Holy Spirit is not baptized, He baptizes us. That baptism in the
Holy Spirit occurs only one time at the time of salvation. The baptism is a
uniting of a believer with Christ.
(Rom 6:3 KJV) Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into
Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?
(1 Cor 12:13 KJV) For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one
body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have
been all made to drink into one Spirit.
(Gal 3:27 KJV) For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ
have put on Christ.
As we see from these verses, the baptism in the Holy Ghost is a uniting
of the believer with Christ. Unfortunately, this beautiful event has been
bastardized by the modern charismatic movement as they continue to believe
and proclaim that the baptism “of” the Holy Ghost always means speaking in
tongues and that is the furthest thing from the truth. The baptism in the
Holy Spirit happens to be the point a person becomes saved and true
salvation is done in silence and not gibberish which is what modern tongues
are.
Here we see the Bible giving us four different baptisms while using the
same word for immersion. The first one was Israel being baptized into Moses
and the Law. The second one is the believer being baptized into Christ. The
third one is water baptism which is symbolic of salvation. The fourth
baptism is the believer being baptized into the Holy Ghost at the time of
salvation. Here we have one word being used in four different descriptions.
The e-mail I received from that man contained his belief that the word for
immersion was only referring to water baptism because he did not look at the
other uses, he stopped at the point where he believed he made his point. As
we see in the four verses above, “baptizô ” is used to describe water
baptism but is also used to describe spiritual baptism in three other
instances. So the word is not confined to only a single usage. Let me give
an example with the word save:
1) I became saved.
2) I saved a man from drowning
3) I saved money
4) I will save my life by taking vitamins.
Here we have four usages of the word “save and saved.” Each of them are
being used in a different setting yet the word does not lose meaning in each
of the usages.
Water baptism cannot penetrate the physical body and therefore cannot
have any effect upon the spiritual condition of the recipient. If they are
unsaved going in, they will be unsaved coming out. However, spiritual
baptism upon salvation goes into the soul of man which is inside the body.
When a person is baptized in water by immersion they have to keep their
mouth closed or they will drown. Therefore physical water could kill but the
spiritual baptism by immersion in the Holy Spirit, gives life. This is why
the physical is only a symbol of the spiritual.
Let us briefly look at the four verses with the understanding that the
word “baptizô ” is carrying wit it the meaning of immersion.
1)
(1 Cor 10:2 KJV) And were all baptized unto Moses in
the cloud and in the sea;
This verse is teaching that the nation of Israel was baptized into
Moses, that is, they were united into the law of Moses. This is why when
they broke a law, they had to make an offering for that particular sin. They
were immersed in the sense that the law fully absorbed them and were
required to obey the law. The law of God was their life guide.
2)
(Gal 3:27 KJV) For as many of you as have been
baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
The true believer is baptized into Christ, that is, Christ is completely
their life.
(Col 3:4 KJV) When Christ, who is our life, shall
appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.
Colossians 3:4 states that Christ is our life. When a person is immersed in
water, it wets the entire body, no part is left dry when the person is under
water. Christ is the life of the believer. He is our God and our guide.
Christ completely immerses our soul.
3)
(Acts 1:5 KJV) For John truly baptized with water;
but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.
When the Christian becomes saved, their soul is totally immersed in the
Holy Spirit. He now indwells the believer from the moment of salvation for
all eternity. He now glorifies Christ in our bodies and in our lives. He
teaches us the Scriptures and He gives us understanding of those Scriptures
so we may go out and proclaim Christ to the world.
4)
(Acts 8:36 KJV) And as they went on their way, they
came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water;
what doth hinder me to be baptized?
The fourth use of the word baptize is the one we are all familiar with
and that is water baptism. The Ethiopian Eunuch became saved and now wanted
to be baptized in water to fulfill the Lord’s command of baptism and to be a
testimony of what transpired in him becoming saved. The complete immersion
of the person in water shows that the Christian is to live a fully immersed
life and be completely absorbed by their Christianity. There is no such
thing as a partial commitment, it must be full as one who is completely
soaked by being under water. Immersion in water is a symbol but it also
symbolizes our complete allegiance and commitment to Christ.
Just to summarize, water baptism by immersion brings no salvation
because it is a secondary act on the part of the believer. Baptism in Christ
and the Holy Spirit are the primary activity which conveys spiritual life to
the believer. It means we are passive in salvation as we receive it. Once we
are saved, then we are baptized in water as a symbolic act and then we are
permitted to take the Lord’s Supper. In other words, water baptism is
ancillary to spiritual baptism. You can get to Heaven without water baptism
but you cannot get there without spiritual baptism. Just ask the thief on
the cross.
Whenever we look at passages of Scripture which deal with baptism, we
must look at the verse very carefully along with its context to see whether
the verse is speaking of water baptism or spiritual baptism into Christ and
the Holy Spirit. That is important because one saves the other does not. If
we proclaim that water baptism is necessary for our salvation based upon a
faulty understanding of Scripture, then God will hold us accountable for
leading people astray. The man who sent me the e-mail stated that he had
told several other teachers the same thing that water baptism was necessary
for salvation. They did not agree with him and held to the fact that water
baptism does not bring salvation. He has condemned all of us not taking into
consideration that maybe the Lord is trying to get through to him that he is
wrong on the issue. Pride will destroy that man as long as he continues to
be willfully ignorant. The biblical evidence is there but if you choose to
ignore it, it creates a very serious situation.
Now let us look all the verses which contain the words concerning
baptize and baptism.
These 4 verses contain the word “baptismos” (
baptismós)
which may be translated washing or cleansing.
Mark 7:4; 7:8; Hebrews 6:2; 9:2
These 22 verses contain the word “baptisma”
(baptisma) which may be
translated “baptism, rite or ceremony of baptism.”
Matthew 3:7; 20:22; 20:23; 21:25
Mark 1:4; 10:38; 10:39; 11:30
Luke 3:3; 7:29; 12:50; 20:4
Acts 1:22; 10:37; 13:24; 18:25; 19:3; 19:4
Romans 6:4
Ephesians 4:5
Colossians 2:12
1 Peter 3:21
In the 63 verses which contain the word “baptizô ”
(baptizw) which may be
translated “dip, immerse, submerge, or baptize,” we are going to look at
them and see if they are speaking of water or spiritual baptism. I am going
to place an S for Spiritual baptism or a W for Water baptism. In the verses
which may have both within them, I will place WS. This will help to separate
the spiritual baptism from the water baptism so the verses are not
understood wrongly.
1) W -
(Mat 3:6 KJV) And were baptized of him in Jordan,
confessing their sins.
2) WS -
(Mat 3:11 KJV) I indeed baptize you with water
unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes
I am
not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with
fire:
3) W -
(Mat 3:13 KJV) Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to
Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him.
4) W -
(Mat 3:14 KJV) But John forbad him, saying, I have
need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me?
5) W -
(Mat 3:16 KJV) And Jesus, when he was baptized,
went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him,
and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him:
6) S -
(Mat 20:22 KJV) But Jesus answered and said, Ye
know not what ye ask. Are ye able to drink of the cup that I shall drink of,
and to be baptized
with the baptism that I am baptized with? They say unto him, We are able.
7) S -
(Mat 20:23 KJV) And he saith unto them, Ye shall
drink indeed of my cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized
with: but to sit
on my right hand, and on my left, is not mine to give, but it shall be
given to them for whom it is prepared of my Father.
8) W -
(Mat 28:19 KJV) Go ye therefore, and teach all
nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of
the Holy Ghost:
9) W -
(Mark 1:4 KJV) John did baptize in the wilderness,
and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.
10) W -
(Mark 1:5 KJV) And there went out unto him all the
land of Judaea, and they of Jerusalem, and were all baptized of him in the
river of Jordan, confessing their sins.
11) WS -
(Mark 1:8 KJV) I indeed have baptized you with
water: but he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost.
12) W -
(Mark 1:9 KJV) And it came to pass in those days,
that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized of John in
Jordan.
13) S -
(Mark 10:38 KJV) But Jesus said unto them, Ye know
not what ye ask: can ye drink of the cup that I drink of? and be baptized
with the baptism that I am baptized with?
14) S -
(Mark 10:39 KJV) And they said unto him, We can.
And Jesus said unto them, Ye shall indeed drink of the cup that I drink of;
and
with the baptism that I am baptized withal shall ye be baptized:
15) S -
(Mark 16:16 KJV) He that believeth and is baptized
shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
16) W -
(Luke 3:7 KJV) Then said he to the multitude that
came forth to be baptized of him, O generation of vipers, who hath warned
you
to flee from the wrath to come?
17) W -
(Luke 3:12 KJV) Then came also publicans to be
baptized, and said unto him, Master, what shall we do?
18) WS -
(Luke 3:16 KJV) John answered, saying unto
them all, I indeed baptize you with water; but one mightier than I
cometh, the
latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose: he shall baptize you with
the Holy Ghost and with fire:
19) W -
(Luke 3:21 KJV) Now when all the people were
baptized, it came to pass, that Jesus also being baptized, and praying, the
heaven was opened,
20) W -
(Luke 7:29 KJV) And all the people that heard
him, and the publicans, justified God, being baptized with the baptism
of John.
21) W -
(Luke 7:30 KJV) But the Pharisees and lawyers
rejected the counsel of God against themselves, being not baptized of him.
22) S -
(Luke 12:50 KJV) But I have a baptism to be
baptized with; and how am I straitened till it be accomplished!
23) W -
(John 1:25 KJV) And they asked him, and said unto
him, Why baptizest thou then, if thou be not that Christ, nor Elias, neither
that
prophet?
24) W -
(John 1:26 KJV) John answered them, saying, I
baptize with water: but there standeth one among you, whom ye know not;
25) W -
(John 1:28 KJV) These things were done in
Bethabara beyond Jordan, where John was baptizing.
26) W -
(John 1:31 KJV) And I knew him not: but that he
should be made manifest to Israel, therefore am I come baptizing with water.
27) W -
(John 1:33 KJV) And I knew him not: but he that
sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt
see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which
baptizeth with the Holy Ghost.
28) W -
(John 3:22 KJV) After these things came Jesus and
his disciples into the land of Judaea; and there he tarried with them, and
baptized.
29) W -
(John 3:23 KJV) And John also was baptizing in
Aenon near to Salim, because there was much water there: and they came, and
were baptized.
30) W -
(John 3:26 KJV) And they came unto John, and said
unto him, Rabbi, he that was with thee beyond Jordan, to whom thou barest
witness, behold, the same baptizeth, and all men come to him.
31) W -
(John 4:1 KJV) When therefore the Lord knew how
the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than
John,
32) W -
(John 4:2 KJV) (Though Jesus himself baptized not,
but his disciples,)
33) W -
(John 10:40 KJV) And went away again beyond Jordan
into the place where John at first baptized; and there he abode.
34) WS -
(Acts 1:5 KJV) For John truly baptized with
water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.
35) WS -
(Acts 2:38 KJV) Then Peter said unto them,
Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the
remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
36) W -
(Acts 2:41 KJV) Then they that gladly received his
word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about
three thousand souls.
37) W -
(Acts 8:12 KJV) But when they believed Philip
preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.
38) W -
(Acts 8:13 KJV) Then Simon himself believed also:
and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered,
beholding the miracles and signs which were done.
39) W -
(Acts 8:16 KJV) (For as yet he was fallen upon
none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.)
40) W -
(Acts 8:36 KJV) And as they went on their
way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is
water; what
doth hinder me to be baptized?
41) W -
(Acts 8:38 KJV) And he commanded the chariot to
stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the
eunuch; and he baptized him.
42) W -
(Acts 9:18 KJV) And immediately there fell from
his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose,
and
was baptized.
43) W -
(Acts 10:47 KJV) Can any man forbid water, that
these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as
we?
44) W -
(Acts 10:48 KJV) And he commanded them to be
baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain
days.
45) WS -
(Acts 11:16 KJV) Then remembered I the word of
the Lord, how that he said, John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be
baptized with the Holy Ghost.
46) W -
(Acts 16:15 KJV) And when she was baptized, and
her household, she besought us, saying, If ye have judged me to be
faithful to
the Lord, come into my house, and abide there. And she constrained
us.
47) W -
(Acts 16:33 KJV) And he took them the same hour of
the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all
his,
straightway.
48) W -
(Acts 18:8 KJV) And Crispus, the chief ruler of
the synagogue, believed on the Lord with all his house; and many of the
Corinthians hearing believed, and were baptized.
49) W -
(Acts 19:3 KJV) And he said unto them, Unto what
then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism.
50) W -
(Acts 19:4 KJV) Then said Paul, John verily
baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they
should
believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.
51) W -
(Acts 19:5 KJV) When they heard this, they
were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
52) WS -
(Acts 22:16 KJV) And now why tarriest thou?
arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the
Lord.
53) S -
(Rom 6:3 KJV) Know ye not, that so many of us as
were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?
54) S -
(Rom 6:4 KJV) Therefore we are buried with him by
baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the
glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
55) W -
(1 Cor 1:13 KJV) Is Christ divided? was Paul
crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul?
56) W -
(1 Cor 1:14 KJV) I thank God that I baptized none
of you, but Crispus and Gaius;
57) W -
(1 Cor 1:15 KJV) Lest any should say that I had
baptized in mine own name.
58) W -
(1 Cor 1:16 KJV) And I baptized also the household
of Stephanas: besides, I know not whether I baptized any other.
59) W -
(1 Cor 1:17 KJV) For Christ sent me not to
baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross
of Christ
should be made of none effect.
60) S -
(1 Cor 10:2 KJV) And were all baptized unto Moses
in the cloud and in the sea;
61) S -
(1 Cor 12:13 KJV) For by one Spirit are we all
baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we
be bond or
free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.
62) W -
(1 Cor 15:29 KJV) Else what shall they do which
are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all? why are they then
baptized
for the dead?
63) S -
(Gal 3:27 KJV) For as many of you as have been
baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
Verse Summary
45 Verses dealing with Water Baptism
11 Verses dealing with a Spiritual Baptism
7 Verses which have both Water and Spiritual Baptism
We plainly see that the words baptize or baptism are not always speaking
of water baptism. It is very important to never place a blanket meaning on
one word believing that it carries the same meaning throughout the entire
Bible. Each word must be viewed in its context and when that is done, it
will straighten out much wrong understanding.