Bible Study 2019

Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology Baptize, Baptism

The Greek root-word baptizein means to plunge, immerse, sink; hence to wash; to be immersed, overwhelmed (in trouble). From Jewish rules of purification concerning ritual uncleanness the word gained a technical religious connotation implying “purification” from all that might exclude from God’s presence.

1. The Name Baptist is a designation of our belief about baptism.

a. While we agree and subscribe to the teachings of baptism from John the Baptist we are not named after John the Baptist.

i. ;,

b. Christ exemplified baptism

i.

c. Baptism is commanded by Christ

i. ,

d. We belief baptism is immersion not sprinkling

i. The Greek root-word, for baptize, means to plunge, immerse, sink; hence to wash; to be immersed, overwhelmed (in trouble).

Is the act of obedience of being immersed in water, which symbolizes ones death, burial and resurrection with Christ into a new life as a believer. Baptism is not done in order to be saved but it is done because we are saved. The water is not magical potion that washes away sins, but it is symbolic of our sins being washed away.

The Scripture teaches that Jesus was baptized but Jesus was not a sinner. Jesus was baptized as an example for each of us and commanded that we also be baptized.

“In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan” (ESV). Baptism symbolizes repentance as Matthew indicates, “I baptize you with water for repentance, but he who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. (ESV). Baptism is a mandate given by Christ to His disciples. “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” (ESV).

Gregory of Nazianzus explains the symbolism of Baptism by noting, “For to put it in a word, the virtue of Baptism is to be understood as a covenant with God leading to a second life” (McGrath 2017, 453).