Questions about Baptism

1.   What is Baptism?

      a.   From a number of words taken from the Greek bapto, meaning to dip, plunge, or immerse.

      b.   It is a transliterated or anglicized word, meaning the word was not translated to give its meaning, but rather each letter given its nearest English sound.

            i.   baptisma appears 22 times = baptism

            ii.  baptismos appears 4 times = washing (3), baptism (1)

            iii. baptizdo appears 80 times = baptize(d) (78), wash, washing

            iv. In The Gospel Plan of Salvation (p 267ff ), T.W. Brents cites:

                  (1) 34 lexicons that give “dip” or “immerse” as the primary meaning of bapto and its derivatives;

                  (2) 70 other scholars (including Martin Luther and John Calvin) who, in writing of other subjects, incidentally mention the primary meaning of these words as “dip” or “immerse.”

                  (3) 38 Bible translations dating from the 2^nd century to 1822, 19 of which translate these words as “immerse,” 6 as “dip,” and 13 as “bathe” or “cleanse”;

                  (4) 34 examples of secular writings dating from 500 B.C. to A.D. 500 using these Greek words in the same fashion.

      c.   Baptism is described in the Bible as a burial (Rom 6:4; Col 2:12)

      d.   Not once does the word refer to sprinkling or pouring . . .

      e.   So why doesn’t a single major translation of the Bible give us the correct translation? Is it because there is a lack of evidence as to the meaning of the word?

2.   Why should a person be baptized?

      a.   To be saved - Mark 16:15-16; 1 Peter 3:21

      b.   To have their sins remitted, washed away - Acts 2:38, 22:12

      c.   To be in Christ - Galatians 3:27

      d.   To be a new creation - 2 Corinthians 5:17

      e.   To have a pure conscience - 1 Peter 3:21

      f.   To be saved and justified by the grace of God - Titus 3:3-7

3.   Who should be baptized? (No, not everyone!)

      a.   Those who are under the condemnation of sin:

            i.   This excludes young children:

                  (1) Ezekiel 18:20

                  (2) Matthew 18:3; 19:14

            ii.  This excludes the mentally deficient:

                  (1) Matthew 15:10

                  (2) Matthew 13:23

      b.   Those who have heard the word of God - Matthew 13:23

      c.   Those who believe God’s Word about Jesus - John 8:24

      d.   Those who are willing to repent of sins - Acts 26:20

      e.   Those who are unafraid / unashamed to confess Jesus

            i.   Matthew 10:32-33

            ii.  John 12:42

4.   When should a person be baptized?

      a.   Acts 2:41 - when you gladly receive the word

      b.   Acts 16:14 - when you give attention to God’s Word

      c.   Acts 16:33 - the same hour you know what to do

      d.   Acts 19:4-5 - immediately