Baptism

What is Baptism?

When people talk about baptism, they are typically referring to water baptism. Water baptism is a Christian practice that uses water in a ceremonial or symbolic way, often associated with themes of dying and rising to new life. The vast majority of Christian traditions observe and participate in water baptism, though the specifics of how it is performed and the significance it holds can vary substantially.

Before wading into the specifics of water baptism, it's important to note that there are different kinds of baptism.

It appears at the beginning of the Gospels with John the Baptist (Matthew 3:5-6, Mark 1:5, Luke 3:3, John 1:25-26) was practiced by Jesus' disciples during his ministry (John 4:1-2), and is commanded by Jesus in the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20). As a result, many churches and denominations hold baptism in high regard as a key spiritual milestone in a person's life.

Water baptism is widely practiced throughout the world

Baptism Basics

Our word baptism comes from the Greek term baptizō, which means “to immerse” or “to dip.” In the first century, just like today, the most common thing people were immersed into was water: rivers, lakes, seas, or pools. Consequently, when the word baptism is used, it is primarily used to describe water baptism. However, the New Testament also uses baptizō in situations not involving water.

Consider a few examples of what people are said to be baptized into:

• Water (Mark 1:5, Acts 2:38, Acts 2:41, Matthew 28:19, Romans 6:3–4)

• The Holy Spirit (Matthew 3:11, Acts 1:5)

• Christ (Galatians 3:27)

• Christ's Death (Romans 6:3–4, Colossians 2:12)

• Suffering (Mark 10:38–39, Luke 12:50)

• The Body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:13)

• Moses - corporate identification (1 Corinthians 10:2)