What About Water Baptism?
A Biblical Answer To A Biblical Practice
By Gregg L. Marshall
In recent years there has been debate on the essentiality of Water Baptism. Is it really necessary unto Salvation; is it optional, up to a particular church group or left to the believer’s choice alone?
Is Water Baptism Essential?
John 3:5 – “Except a man be born of WATER and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God”
Mark 16:16 - “He that believeth and is BAPTIZED shall be saved.”
1 Peter 3:21 -“Even BAPTISM doth also now save us.” (Note the word “also” -Baptism is one of the steps to Salvation.)
Acts 2:38 -“Repent, and be BAPTIZED every one of you in the name …”
Acts 10:47, 48 –“And he commanded them to be baptized …”
From these scriptures, coupled with many others, we can see that Water Baptism is not an optional step in Bible Salvation. It is clearly essential to the fulfillment of entering into the Kingdom of God!
Correct Baptism Formula?
What is the correct formula of Baptism in the WORD OF GOD! (Not religious history or tradition! For the Word Of God supersedes any creed or belief of man! The Word Of God can stand by itself!)
Should we be baptized in the titles Father, Son, and Holy Ghost OR the Name of Jesus Christ???
When you compare scriptures of when believers were baptized into the name of Jesus Christ verses the titles Father, Son and Holy Ghost … it is a shutout! NO WHERE in the Bible do we find 1 person ever being baptized into the titles of Father, Son and Holy Ghost. EVER!
(See Acts 2:21, 38, 8:16, 10:48, Colossians 3:17)
Critical:
Do we honestly believe that God’s own disciples DISOBEYED His commandment of Matthew 28:19? They baptized in Jesus Name not in the titles. Matthew 28:19 even states … “baptizing them in the NAME.” “Father” is not a name; “Son” is not a name; “Holy Ghost” is not a name … they are titles! We are to baptize in the NAME! (Acts 4:10-12)
Sprinkling Or Immersion?
Again, the scripture references of Immersion verses sprinkling … it’s a shutout!
John 3:23 (Much Water), Acts 8:38 – 39 (Into & Out of the water), Romans 6:4 (Buried in water), Romans 6:5 (Planted in water)
The word “Baptism” is taken from the Greek (the common language of the New Testament) word “baptizo” which means “to dip, immerse, dip under, and submerge under.”
The Greek word “sprinkle” (rantizo) is never once used in any context of Water Baptism!
History, Bible Scholars and Religious Authorities support Baptism by Immersion –
“It is evident that the action performed in Baptism was immersion” –
Encyclopedia of the Bible, pg 202
“The early church practiced immersion or submerging under the water.” –
World Book Encyclopedia, V.2, pg 70
“Baptism was always a burial. The command to baptize was a command to Immerse.” –
Schaff-Herzog Religious Encyclopedia, V1, pg 451
Many More Sources Are Available That Agree With The Above!
Is Rebaptism Biblical?
The answer to your question is a resounding “YES!” Read Acts 19:1-6. Here Paul preached to honest, sincere disciples of John the Baptist who had not been baptized in Jesus Name.
“Mightier Than I”
John the Baptist baptized unto repentance only. (Acts: 19:5) Like many churches today, it is only about repenting of sin and “believing” in Jesus as their personal Savior; they are still being baptized unto JOHN‘S BAPTISM! Paul the Apostle strongly preached that Baptism in Jesus Name SUPERSEDES any other mode or method of Baptism! John the Baptist even declared “I indeed baptize you with water; but one mightier than I cometh … He shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire.”(Luke 3:16)
