As we seek to understand baptism, we prefer to first look at what the Bible says regarding the subject. Today, many refer to baptism by three different modes, Sprinkling, Pouring and Immersion. All three words commonly used today to reference Baptism are actually mentioned in the New Testament. For your convenience, I have placed links to them for your own study.
Baptize: in the original language it means to dip or plunge under the water.
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The file to your left is a recent sermon preached about Baptism here at McComb Church of Christ
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As you can see very easily, 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 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 two modes that differ from the written example given to us in the scriptures? It should be noted that according to Church history, the other modes of baptism were admittedly added to resolve some conflicts of the day. Sticky situations arose where people wanted to participate in baptism but could not enter the water to be immersed due to things like water shortages, disabilities or 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. They adopted the new notion that there would now be three acceptable forms by which a person could be "baptized". As time passed, these practices became more common and more accepted within some local churches.
The reason we immerse, as opposed to sprinkling or pouring, is because we seek to honor what we were given as it was given. Christ founded the Church. Regardless of the reasons some sight... iIllness, sickness and water shortages are not a new problems to mankind. Yet, Jesus was 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 and the teachings it contains are 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.
So why do Churches practice two modes that differ from the written example given to us in the scriptures? It should be noted that according to Church history, the other modes of baptism were admittedly added to resolve some conflicts of the day. Sticky situations arose where people wanted to participate in baptism but could not enter the water to be immersed due to things like water shortages, disabilities or 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. They adopted the new notion that there would now be three acceptable forms by which a person could be "baptized". As time passed, these practices became more common and more accepted within some local churches.
The reason we immerse, as opposed to sprinkling or pouring, is because we seek to honor what we were given as it was given. Christ founded the Church. Regardless of the reasons some sight... iIllness, sickness and water shortages are not a new problems to mankind. Yet, Jesus was 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 and the teachings it contains are 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.
Article written by Pastor Jeff Fuller