We
believe the New Testament clearly teaches that baptism is to be performed
by immersing the believer in water. Here are the reasons we believe this:
In the Original Greek
The Greek word translated "baptism" is "baptizo." This word means immersion
or submersion (see Vine's Expository Dictionary).
A related word, "bapto" means to dip. "Rhantizo" means sprinkle. But when
Jesus told us to "go and baptize," He used the word "Baptizo." In fact, the Greek
word "rhantizo" doesn't appear in the New Testament dealing with the act of
baptism.
Going Down, Coming Up
There was a need of the person baptized and the one baptizing to go down "into the water"
and to "come up out of the water."
This is shown in Matthew 3:15 and Acts 8:38-39. It also
required "much water" as found in John 3:23. The practice of sprinkling infants did not
come into practice in the church until centuries later when the unscriptural doctrine of purgatory and
limbo brought fear into the hearts of parents. Yet, Jesus assured us that heaven belongs
to children (Matthew 19:14).
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Death & Ressurection
Romans 6:4, "We were therefore buried with Him through baptism," indicates that baptism
is equated to burial. When the candidate is raised up out of the water, Christ's resurrection
is pictured. So, baptism by full immersion pictures the death, burial, and resurrection
of Christ. Sprinkling simply does not depict burial and resurrection.
Washing Away Sin
Baptism is connected to a washing away of sin. Ananias told Paul, "And
now why do you delay? Arise, and be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on His name"
(Acts 22:16). Immersion conveys the image of complete washing in a way that mere sprinkling
does not.
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