Does baptism mean that a man must dip himself in water?
Categories: Bible Questions and Answers Tags: Bible Lessons on BaptismDoes baptism mean that a man must dip himself in water? I personally don’t think so. Jesus talked about his crucifixion as baptism. Why did Jesus become baptised by John?
The word “baptize” is a transliteration of the Greek word “BAPTIZO” and literally means to dip, plunge, submerge, or immerse. The word has no reference to that into which the object is immersed. Context alone answers that question. Hence, one may be immersed in sufferings, water, the Holy Spirit, or some other overwhelming thing.
I would like for you to note, however, that Jesus commanded his disciples to make other disciples by baptizing them (Matthew 28:18-20, Mark 16:15-16). That command can only be fulfilled by being baptized in water. We notice from Romans 6:1-10 that baptism involves a burial. In order to be baptized with Christian baptism, one must be buried in something. When we turn to the pages of Acts 8:26-38 we learn that Christian baptism was baptism in water.
Jesus was baptized by John to “fulfill all righteousness” according to Matthew 3:15. However, Jesus was sinless and did not need to be baptized by John for the remission of sins (Mark 1:4). Today, one can only become a disciple of Jesus and a Christian by obeying the words of Jesus and being baptized (Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15, 16). It is in baptism that we are promised remission of sins (Acts 2:38) and forgiveness (Col. 2:11-13).
To be a Christian and saved, we must be baptized (1 Peter 3:21).