47 - Baptize
- rcbarbas
- Jan 26, 2024
- 17 min read
What does it mean?
According to biblegateway.com, the word “baptize” occurs 58 times in the NKJV of the bible; this includes “baptized”. Every time is in the new testament.
According to blueletterbible.org, the word “baptize” occurs 10 times, while the word “baptized” occurs 59 times, in the NKJV. And, again, every time is in the new testament.
The word is “baptize; it is found in Strong’s G907 (G for Greek and 907 for its place in the Greek text of the concordance). The Greek word is βαπτίζω, baptizō. “Baptize” and “baptized” are the same Greek word, and the definitions are –
To dip repeatedly, to immerse, to submerge (of vessels sunk).
To cleanse by dipping or submerging, to wash, to make clean with water, to wash one’s self, bathe.
To overwhelm.
It would be easy to explain that baptism is immersing something/somebody in water (liquid) to make a change in the thing being immersed.
The above definitions, for the word βαπτίζω, baptize, should show that there are differences in a couple of different baptisms, one is just to submerge something, one is to cleanse something by submerging it, one is to bathe something to wash and clean it, and the last one is to overwhelm something.
In Luke 3:16 “John answered, saying to all, “I indeed baptize you with water; but One mightier than I is coming, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to loose. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.” Baptism in Holy Spirit is different than baptism in water. Baptism in water is submersion in liquid H2O, baptism in Holy Spirit is personal overwhelming. In Acts chapter 2, when the disciples and followers of Jesus experienced Holy Spirit and what appeared to be flames of fire leaping off their heads when they spoke in different languages, they were overwhelmed, not immersed in water.
SO... we have to find out what “baptism” means.
One of the best explanations I’ve ever seen for the differences is found at,
It’s a little weird to read until you figure it out. “Note on Baptism in Ac.” means “Note on Baptism in Acts”; all of these references occur in the book of Acts. The first reference is “baptism with the Holy Spirit (i. 5, etc.)”; that just means chapter 1, verse 5 – (for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now); chapters are assigned lower case Roman numerals (i, ii, iii, iv, v....) while verses are assigned Decimal system numerals (1, 2, 3, 4, 5...)
"Note on Baptism in Ac. (Acts) Baptism in water (such as John's) is distinguished from baptism with the Holy Spirit (i. 5, etc.). Those who receive the latter, however, may also be baptized in water (cf. xi. 16 with x. 47); and there is one example of people who had previously received John's baptism receiving Christian baptism as a preliminary to receiving the Spirit (xix. 3 ff.). John's was a baptism of repentance (xiii. 24; xix. 4), as was also Christian baptism (ii. 38), but as John's pointed forward to Jesus (xix. 4), it became obsolete when He came. Christian baptism followed faith in the Lord Jesus (xvi. 31 ff.); it was associated with His name (ii. 38; viii. 16, etc.), which was invoked by the person baptized (xxii. 16); it signified the remission (ii. 38) or washing away of sins (xxii. 16); sometimes it preceded (ii. 38; viii. 15 ff.; xix. 5), sometimes followed (x. 47 f.) the receiving of the Spirit." (F. F. Bruce. The Acts of the Apostles [Greek Text Commentary], London: Tyndale, 1952, p. 98, n. 1.)
This word should not be confused with baptô (911). The clearest example that shows the meaning of baptizo is a text from the Greek poet and physician Nicander, who lived about 200 B.C. It is a recipe for making pickles and is helpful because it uses both words. Nicander says that in order to make a pickle, the vegetable should first be 'dipped' (baptô) into boiling water and then 'baptised' (baptizô) in the vinegar solution. Both verbs concern the immersing of vegetables in a solution. But the first is temporary. The second, the act of baptising the vegetable, produces a permanent change.
I will go through and insert the verse to make this easier to read. The text in the box is reference to someone else using the words in Greek and it is a phenomenal example; pay attention to it.
Baptism in water (such as John's) is distinguished from baptism with the Holy Spirit (i. 5, etc.) (Acts 1:5 “for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now”.). Those who receive the latter, however, may also be baptized in water (cf. xi. 16 with x. 47) (Acts 11:16 “Then I remembered the word of the Lord, how He said, ‘John indeed baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’” Acts 10:47 “Can anyone forbid water, that these should not be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?””); and there is one example of people who had previously received John's baptism receiving Christian baptism as a preliminary to receiving the Spirit (xix. 3 ff.) (Acts 19:3-6 and the following for context “3 And he said to them, “Into what then were you baptized?” So they said, “Into John’s baptism.” 4 Then Paul said, “John indeed baptized with a baptism of repentance, saying to the people that they should believe on Him who would come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.” 5 When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 6 And when Paul had laid hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke with tongues and prophesied.”.) John's was a baptism of repentance (xiii. 24; xix. 4) (Acts 13:24 “after John had first preached, before His coming, the baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel.”, Acts 19:4 “Then Paul said, “John indeed baptized with a baptism of repentance, saying to the people that they should believe on Him who would come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.””), as was also Christian baptism (ii. 38)(Acts 2:38 “Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”), but as John's pointed forward to Jesus (xix. 4) (Acts 19:4 “Then Paul said, “John indeed baptized with a baptism of repentance, saying to the people that they should believe on Him who would come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.”), it became obsolete when He came. Christian baptism followed faith in the Lord Jesus (xvi. 31 ff.) (Acts 16:31 and the following for context “31 So they said, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.” 32 Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house. 33 And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their stripes. And immediately he and all his family were baptized. 34 Now when he had brought them into his house, he set food before them; and he rejoiced, having believed in God with all his household.”); it was associated with His name (ii. 38; viii. 16, etc.) (Acts 2:38 “Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” Acts 8:16 “For as yet He had fallen upon none of them. They had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.”), which was invoked by the person baptized (xxii. 16) (Acts 22:16 “And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord.”); it signified the remission (ii. 38) (Acts 2:38 “Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”) or washing away of sins (xxii. 16) (Acts 22:16 “And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord.”); sometimes it preceded (ii. 38; viii. 15 ff.; xix. 5) (Acts 2:38 “Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” Acts 8:15 and the following for context “15 who, when they had come down, prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit. 16 For as yet He had fallen upon none of them. They had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 17 Then they laid hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.” Acts 19:5 “When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.”), sometimes followed (x. 47 f.) (Acts 10:47 ““Can anyone forbid water, that these should not be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?” 48 And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then they asked him to stay a few days.”) the receiving of the Spirit."
Please, please make a note of verse 47; Peter said those people had already received Holy Spirit and he asked why they should not be baptized with water. They could NOT have received Holy Spirit unless saved - so they were already saved when he discussed them being baptized with water. This is NOT counter to Acts 2:38 where “Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” Holy Spirit comes to us upon salvation, baptism follows salvation - not necessarily in the next 45 seconds.
You’ll notice that some of these verses were repeated, but that’s because a particular event may have served two purposes, i.e. sometimes it preceded, sometimes it followed, some pointed toward Jesus, or signified remission.
As you read through these you should note that baptism isn’t necessarily for a single reason. Recall the phrase “baptized in the Holy Spirit” from Acts 1:5; that doesn’t mean you are dunked into Holy Spirit water and raised back out of it, it means you are overwhelmed in/with Holy Spirit. In Acts 1:5, the term baptize is used twice in the same sentence meaning two different actions. “...baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit...”
It is generally accepted in Christian doctrine that the act of baptism is a public acknowledgment of being in the family of God, a statement of identification if you will. We could go through every use of the word in the bible and review its intent everywhere, but that would take lots of pages. This one has been previously prepared and serves the purpose well. Especially where it shows that you can be baptized into Christ and baptized in the Holy Spirit – two completely disparate actions.
Why did they baptize people before Jesus died and rose from the dead? In Leviticus 13 – 15, specifically, there are time and again mentions of washing to cleanse oneself from whatever snot, leprosy and goobers one comes into contact with. Wash your clothes, bathe in water, wash your clothes, bathe in water. Cleansing is a HUGE point with God. We are to be holy – separate from the world. Dr. Crawford Lorritts, our pastor years ago, was preaching once and he said that when we teach and preach we should keep our eating habits in mind. God doesn’t want us feeding people off dirty plates and He doesn’t want us teaching from our dirty selves; we should be as clean as possible. Again, cleanliness is a HUGE point with God. Don’t be touching some sores, scabs or discharges then preparing food. Don’t be getting drunk or committing adultery and then try and teach the bible. Clean yourself, by God’s directions, before you step up to the pulpit.
In the Old Testament the cleansing was done by washing. It was not called βαπτίζω, baptize back then (Old Testament is Hebrew, these words are Greek – Greek was the main language when the New Testament was written), instead it was called כָּבַס kāḇas (Strong’s H3526 - which means to wash garments or person), or רָחַץ rāḥaṣ (Strong’s H7364 – which means to wash, bathe oneself). Both of these agree with at least one of the New Testament definitions of baptism listed in the beginning of this document. There is no mention of anyone being “baptized in the Holy Spirit” in the Old Testament. There are mentions of God’s Holy Spirit, but no baptism in such.
Most likely, when Jesus was baptized it was symbolic for cleansing. He wanted to show that even He was cleaned. Surely, over the next few years He would be touching, and be touched by lepers and sick people with all kinds of bodily fluid discharges. He obviously didn’t need to be baptized/cleansed to have a pure heart. But the symbology of His actions showed everyone that they needed to follow the rule if the “Teacher” did so.
Baptism is not a singular idea or doctrine. It can cover anything from cleansing to identification or being overwhelmed, as well as making pickles. Being sure that you understand what something is, is just as important as understanding what something is not.
1 Corinthians 15:29-32 can be a puzzling scripture “29 Otherwise, what will they do who are baptized for the dead, if the dead do not rise at all? Why then are they baptized for the dead? But I think that Chuck Smith gives a very good commentary explaining it. https://www.blueletterbible.org/Comm/smith_chuck/c2000_1Cr/1Cr_015.cfm?a=1077029
This is the only place in scripture where baptism for the dead is mentioned. It is mentioned in an argument against the argument that there is no resurrection from the dead. Now, the people in Corinth, as I said, were a mess. They had all kinds of problems: carnality and divisions. They had all kinds of mixed up beliefs and doctrines, and this epistle is known as a corrective epistle in that he was correcting all of the problems that existed in Corinth.
Evidently, in Corinth there were those in the church who were being baptized for the dead. There is no condemnation of the practice here, nor is there any commendation for the practice. It's only brought up that they were doing it, but Paul was pointing out that it is totally inconsistent. "Can't you see, you dummies, if there is no resurrection from the dead, then this practice you have of baptizing for the dead... why do you do that if the dead don't rise? If there is no resurrection from the dead." And he is just showing to them that their inconsistent practices were inconsistent with their beliefs.
Now, to take this and to make it a ritual within the church would be totally wrong. In the law of scriptural interpretation, or in the laws that have been set out for scriptural interpretation called theologically, the laws of hermeneutics (the study of the methodological principles of interpretation (as of the Bible)), what do we accept for common church practice today? The law of hermeneutics declares that if it was taught by Jesus Christ, if it was practiced in the book of Acts, and taught in the epistles, then we accept it for general church practice today. For instance, the Lord's Supper was taught by Jesus Christ. The Lord's Supper was practiced in the book of Acts, as they would gather together breaking bread from house to house. And there is teaching on the Lord's Supper here in the eleventh chapter of I Corinthians. Thus, taught by Christ, practiced by the early church in the book of Acts, taught in the epistles, we accept it for general church practice today. And so we gather at the Lord's table and partake together of the Lord's Supper.
Water Baptism: taught by Jesus Christ, practiced in the book of Acts, and taught in Romans, chapter 6. Thus, we accept water baptism as a legitimate ritual within the church today. Foot washing: taught by Jesus Christ, we do not find any practice in the book of Acts of the church gathering and washing each other's feet, except that Dorcas was commended because she washed the disciples' feet. But there is no teaching of it in a doctrinal way in the epistles. Foot washing is practiced by some groups today, but from the general church practice it has been dropped, because it doesn't pass the full criteria. There are groups here and there who have foot-washing services. Now I suppose that if you're out in the woods in Oregon or something, it might be very appropriate to have foot-washing services. We almost had them here at Calvary during the hippie period. Only for a different reason--we were trying to protect our carpets. We actually did consider foot-washing services during the hippie period when everybody was going barefooted. It would have been appropriate at that time. But now that we've all become formal again, no need for it.
So, following this same criteria, here is a mention of it; it isn't taught as a doctrine. It isn't commended. It isn't taught as something that should be done. It is just an off-handed argument here showing that their practice was not consistent with their belief. And yet, the Mormons have made a very big thing over baptizing for the dead, and that is why they have the archives of the genealogies that you can go and find out all of your relatives that have died. And you can go in and be baptized for them, and of course, if you are baptized for your dead relatives, then you can save them out of hell and they can be saved if you'll be baptized for them. And thus, it's very important that you baptize for your dead relatives, to save them from the destruction. I could blow your mind, but I won't.
There are many Mormons who actually seek to contact, then, their relatives to ask them for permission to be baptized for them. And so they do get into spiritism, in seeking to contact the dead. This is not common knowledge. It isn't done by all of the Mormons, but it is done by many of the Mormons. And this practice of baptizing for the dead, the next step is the getting their permission to be baptized for them. But it's sort of far out, and so I didn't want to mention it, but...
If he were to continue from here I can only surmise that he would have had to go into a discussion of divination – seeking dead souls, spirits, demons; and that is strictly forbidden, by name and decree in Deuteronomy 18:10-14 “10 There shall not be found among you anyone who makes his son or his daughter pass through the fire, or one who practices witchcraft, or a soothsayer, or one who interprets omens, or a sorcerer, 11 or one who conjures spells, or a medium, or a spiritist, or one who calls up the dead. 12 For all who do these things are an abomination to the Lord, and because of these abominations the Lord your God drives them out from before you. 13 You shall be blameless before the Lord your God. 14 For these nations which you will dispossess listened to soothsayers and diviners; but as for you, the Lord your God has not appointed such for you.”
The Church of God believes that baptism is a required action for salvation. https://www.cgi.org/is-water-baptism-required-for-salvation (CGI stands for Church of God International)
“Jesus Himself taught baptism. He instructed His disciples, "Go ye into all the world, and preach the Gospel to every creature. He that believeth, and is baptized, shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned" (Mark 16:15-16). Did Jesus require the mere verbal expression of faith in order to receive eternal life? No. He required physical action - baptism - in order to be saved from ETERNAL DAMNATION.
Should it surprise us that Jesus taught baptism? It shouldn't when we realize that Jesus Himself was baptized! Even though Jesus lived a perfect life and was totally without sin (I Peter 2:22), He knew the importance of setting an example for us to follow.”
This could take a while to discuss, but simply put, Jesus did NOT teach baptism is required as part of salvation. Reading the text from Mark 16, one should take note that Jesus said "but he that believeth not shall be damned", He did not say that whoever isn't baptized shall be damned. Also, not all manuscripts include verses 9-20. This text is at the end of the book of Mark; it is Mark's recollection of the great commission, otherwise stated in Matthew 28:19-20 where Jesus told the disciples "19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
The direction Jesus gave is for Christians to teach AND baptize. Paul wrote, in Romans 10:9, 10 “9 that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” Baptism is not mentioned here. It is an activity that we should follow, but it is not required for salvation as CGI teaches. They have a really extensive argument for the case, but it is incorrect. They refer to a lot of scriptures that say “be baptized and be saved” and the like – but be baptized and be saved are two different events - like eat, drink and be merry. They go together, but they are each separate things and do not necessarily require each other to be complete. I can eat and be merry, or I can just eat, or I can just drink, or I can eat and drink and not be merry. Most likely, from this little bit of drivel, you can see that arguments can quickly become foolish. I have a CGI friend who has argued this point with me often, but it always comes back to being baptized and saved - two events. Romans 10:9 says "If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved." No mention of being baptized to be saved.
If, as the Church of God believes, baptism is for salvation, why did Jesus get baptized by John? Did He need baptism to be saved? Jesus was baptized and there was no point of salvation in the act of Him being dipped in the water. Jesus provides salvation for us by His own worth and sacrifice. He never mentioned baptism as a requirement for salvation. As a matter of fact, John the Baptist said, in Matthew 3:11 “I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me comes one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.” In John 5:24, Jesus, Himself, said "I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life." Jesus said it is belief that saves a person; there is no mention, by the savior, of any required action, such as baptism. Jesus is not recorded to have baptized anyone in water, nor did He mention that it is part of salvation. In John 4:1 there is sort of almost a hint that Jesus might have baptized with water "Now Jesus learned that the Pharisees had heard that he (Jesus) was gaining and baptizing more disciples than John", but verse 2 clears that up "although in fact it was not Jesus who baptized, but his disciples". The people who were being baptized at that time were not baptized for salvation; their baptisms were like the first cucumber dunk in making pickles - to clean. Jesus hadn't yet died on the cross and risen from the dead, so no one was being saved yet. People were being kept safe, but that's a completely different bible study. (salvation was not completed until Jesus had raised from the dead; until that moment, dead people were kept safe, but not yet "saved".
Keep in mind that the bible always ties saved and baptized together with the conjunction "and"; "this and that", "chips and salsa", "black and white", "boys and girls", etc. The word "and" puts two different things together in language. Believe and confess and you will be saved. That's three different things, with the third being predicated upon the first two being completed; no mention of baptism being required.
Romans 6:3, 4 says “3 Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? 4 Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.” Baptism into Jesus is an incredibly legitimate idea, but Paul discusses it as a different event than baptism into Holy Spirit and it is not the same as baptizing a cucumber or cleansing a leper. Baptism into Holy Spirit is an overwhelming event in which God envelopes and gives power to a person like in Acts 1:8 “But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you...”. According to Paul, baptism in Jesus is being buried, then raised; the same motions of baptism in water; down, under and back up. But the meanings of baptism are as different as the actions.
Old Testament people weren’t baptized into Jesus. When John the Baptist was baptizing, he wasn’t baptizing anyone into Jesus. He was baptizing people for cleansing. Jesus hadn’t died and resurrected as yet and Christianity was still God’s mystery. God’s mystery was that He would come to earth and die to save people. No angel or other being could have seen that coming. John the Baptist didn’t see it coming, nor did Moses, King David or Abraham. In 1 Peter 1:12 we are told that the Old Testament prophets were writing for us not themselves; they had no reason to understand what would happen when Jesus got here; it was revealed to certain people, at certain times and they were not on that list. The disciples were on that list though. According to Mark 4:11, after John the Baptist’s execution, Jesus said to them “To you it has been given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God”.
John was not baptizing anyone into Jesus’ death burial and resurrection; he was baptizing for cleansing – which was the purpose at that time.
It is imperative that a reader understand that text before trying to conjoin incongruent thoughts and ideas to what the writer had penned and intended.
I hope this is good enough to clarify what baptism is and what it isn’t, as well as how people can misuse it.
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