Christian Baptism: Sprinkling or Immersion?
The Biblical Mandate
Why Immersion?
The meaning of the word baptize gives us a clear indication of how baptism ought to be performed. If you look up the Greek word for "baptize" found in the New Testament you will find that the definition is "whelmed" or "to make fully wet". The very definition of the word dictates that the person must be made "fully wet" during baptism. This is not what happens when a baby has water sprinkled on her forehead.
If the definition of the word "baptism" itself is not enough to convice you that baptism ought to be performed by immersion, consider the example of Jesus. When He was baptized by John the Baptist, the Bible says he came "up out of the water". The Bible also uses this phrase when the Ethiopian Eunuch was baptized in Acts 8. In order to come up out of the water, a person must be immersed in it.
Finally, and most convincingly, consider the very purpose of baptism. Romans chapter 6 explains the symbolism behind baptism and why it must be performed by immersion. Verse 4 says, "Therefore we are buried with Him (Jesus) in baptism into death: that like Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life." A person can no more be baptized by having water sprinkled on his head than a person can be buried by having dirt sprinkled on him. I do not say this to be sarcastic or disrespectful of any person's views. However, the purpose of baptism is that it should be a picture of Christ's burial after His crucifixion. As He was raised from the dead, so the Christian is raised out of the water at his baptism. A "baptism" by sprinkling does not fulfill its intended purpose.
Knowing what the Bible says is the key to the Christian life. If we are Christians (literally, "little Christs") we need to take the Bible for what it says and obey it. Let us not be ignorant of Scripture. Jesus said that "man cannot live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God."
Published by Amy Kreger
Amy is a stay at home mom who resides in northern Minnesota. She has been married for 9 years and has 4 young children. View profile
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2 Comments
Post a CommentI want t be Baptized on my Birthday April 26th 2010. I found god and I want to do this on my Birthday do they have a service that It could be done on that day. I would like to go t Oxnard and I would like to give my life and god to be my savor and forgive for all my sins
Immersion is the only acceptable baptism - for many of the reasons you mention, and because it symbolizes our willingness to dedicate our entire lives to do God's will. Sprinkling would seem to indicate one is willing to do very little, indeed!