ALL ABOUT BAPTISM
As we seek to understand baptism, we prefer to first look at what the Bible says regarding this subject. Today, many refer to baptism by three different modes, Sprinkling, Pouring and Immersion. While, all three words are found in the New Testament, only ONE of these modes is actually mentioned, and practiced regarding baptism and conversion. For your convenience, I have placed links to all three words as they occur in the bible, but I will show you how only one is used for "baptism".
Baptize: in the original language it means to dip or plunge under the water. |
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The files to your left are recent sermons about Baptism | ||||
As you can see, the Greek language had words for sprinkling, pouring and immersion. Yet, every time a person was baptized, or the ceremony of baptism is mentioned in scripture, only one of these three words are used. That word is "Baptizo". That's right. The other two words, while they are used in the bible, are never used regarding the ceremony of baptism.
So why do Churches practice three modes when only one was given? It should be noted that according to Church history, the other modes of baptism were admittedly added to resolve some conflicts of their day. Sticky situations arose where people wanted to participate in baptism but could not enter the waters to be immersed. Some of those include, water shortages, disabilities, and illness. Church leaders wanted to make concessions to help these people participate in this command God gave us. After deliberation, some leaders took some creative liberties with the ceremony God gave us. Eventually, these exceptions became the rule. These other modes were adopted and are still used by some churches today.
The reason we immerse, as opposed to sprinkling or pouring, is because we seek to honor the teachings of Jesus and the Apostles as it is written. Christ founded the Church. This is Christ's Church. All authority was given to Jesus, not us! Jesus was also clear about the mode of baptism. It is our position that we, individually or together, do not have the authority to change "any" teaching or practice God gave us. Scripture is to be respected, honored, and cherished as the timeless word of God. We immerse because it is our desire to fully obey God by honoring what was written and practiced by those who first heard, acted and recorded the command of Jesus Christ in baptism.
Will we baptize someone who was previously sprinkled or poured in another Church? ABSOLUTELY!
So why do Churches practice three modes when only one was given? It should be noted that according to Church history, the other modes of baptism were admittedly added to resolve some conflicts of their day. Sticky situations arose where people wanted to participate in baptism but could not enter the waters to be immersed. Some of those include, water shortages, disabilities, and illness. Church leaders wanted to make concessions to help these people participate in this command God gave us. After deliberation, some leaders took some creative liberties with the ceremony God gave us. Eventually, these exceptions became the rule. These other modes were adopted and are still used by some churches today.
The reason we immerse, as opposed to sprinkling or pouring, is because we seek to honor the teachings of Jesus and the Apostles as it is written. Christ founded the Church. This is Christ's Church. All authority was given to Jesus, not us! Jesus was also clear about the mode of baptism. It is our position that we, individually or together, do not have the authority to change "any" teaching or practice God gave us. Scripture is to be respected, honored, and cherished as the timeless word of God. We immerse because it is our desire to fully obey God by honoring what was written and practiced by those who first heard, acted and recorded the command of Jesus Christ in baptism.
Will we baptize someone who was previously sprinkled or poured in another Church? ABSOLUTELY!
Article written by Pastor Jeff Fuller
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