Baptism is Immersion
The NT places a great priority on how one is to access/enter the church. The Great Commission and The Book of Acts emphasizes how a person becomes a member of the church. It was clearly taught and preached by Jesus and His apostles in statements such as “He who believes and is baptized shall be saved” and “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins” (Mark 16:15-16 and Acts 2:38) that immersion into Christ is of an utmost priority. Why would anyone denied such clear statements made by Jesus and His authorized agents of salvation? For those who would follow Christ, baptism is not an option. It is a command.
Sometimes I am asked why we immerse someone instead of sprinkling or pouring. I usually answer, “It is out of respect for the teaching of he Bible.” That is really the reason. The church of Christ seeks to “speak as the oracles of God.” (I Peter 4:11).
To be very specific, the word “baptize” comes from the Greek word that means “to immerse, to plunge beneath, bury, and submerge.” To consult any Greek-English dictionary and one will find the same definition. Nobody has ever sprinkled or poured for baptism because of the meaning of the word the scripture uses.
The New Testament pictures baptism as immersion (see Matthew 3:16 and Acts 8:38-39). The early church always immersed and the church continues to practice the same today.
The NT places a great priority on how one is to access/enter the church. The Great Commission and The Book of Acts emphasizes how a person becomes a member of the church. It was clearly taught and preached by Jesus and His apostles in statements such as “He who believes and is baptized shall be saved” and “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins” (Mark 16:15-16 and Acts 2:38) that immersion into Christ is of an utmost priority. Why would anyone denied such clear statements made by Jesus and His authorized agents of salvation? For those who would follow Christ, baptism is not an option. It is a command.
Sometimes I am asked why we immerse someone instead of sprinkling or pouring. I usually answer, “It is out of respect for the teaching of he Bible.” That is really the reason. The church of Christ seeks to “speak as the oracles of God.” (I Peter 4:11).
To be very specific, the word “baptize” comes from the Greek word that means “to immerse, to plunge beneath, bury, and submerge.” To consult any Greek-English dictionary and one will find the same definition. Nobody has ever sprinkled or poured for baptism because of the meaning of the word the scripture uses.
The New Testament pictures baptism as immersion (see Matthew 3:16 and Acts 8:38-39). The early church always immersed and the church continues to practice the same today.
~Rob Combs
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