In the early part of this past spring, my son and I did a tile job in a new home that was being built here in the East mountain area not too far from where we live.  As we were preparing the concrete floor before installing the tile, we noticed that someone had written scriptures into the concrete while it was still wet.  Almost every room had a scripture written into the concrete floor.

A little later we met the lady who was having  the home built. It became very clear, very soon that she was the one who engraved the scriptures into the concrete.  It also became clear that she was very religious .  As the job progressed, we became more acquainted  and it turned out that we had several doctrines that we were in agreement on.  Her church was beginning to learn about the Sabbath, Passover and some other doctrines.

One day in our discussion, I learned that we had a certain doctrine that we disagreed on. At that time I didn’t see the need to go into detail on the subject because of time involved and also realizing that she was very staunched in what she believed on the subject, so I just simply let it go.  The subject was baptism.  She told me of an incident where she “water baptized” a friend of hers. She explained that she wet her hands in water, and then rubbed her hands on the person’s head.  In her mind she had “water baptized” that friend.

I think that most of us know the scriptural procedure for performing a baptism, but I thought it might be helpful for some, to go through some of the scriptures that show how this was done in the New Testament.

First, let’s understand the definition of the word “baptize” from Strong’s  #907 –baptize: to make whelmed (ie. fully wet). The word “whelmed” is not defined in Strong’s, so let’s take a look at Webster’s . “ To turn (as a dish or vessel) upside down, usually to cover something; cover or engulf completely with usually disastrous  effect.”  The word “usually” also connotes “not always.”  To overcome in thought or feeling; overwhelmed, to pass or go over something so as to bury or submerge it.”  When we use these definitions together with certain scriptures, it becomes clear that to be baptized, means to be completely covered, buried or submerged in water.

In Acts chapter 8:26-39 is the account of Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch , verse 38, “ and he commanded the chariot to stand still, and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch, and he baptized him.”  Verse 38 clearly states that both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water. When we put verse 38 together with Strong’s and webster’s  definition, we can clearly see that Philip immersed  the eunuch under the water, baptizing him.  Verse 37—“and when they were come up and out of the water-----.” There can be no doubt that Philip baptized the eunuch by completely burying him under the water.

Let’s notice Mark 1:5 “ and there went out unto him all the land of judges, and they of Jerusalem, and were all baptized of him in the river Jordan----“  The key word here is “IN.”  They were all baptized in the river.  I have never read a scripture that even remotely indicate that baptism can be performed by any other means than what we saw in Acts, chapter 8, and the definition that we read in Strong’s and Webster’s.

Different major religious groups have used at least three (3) different methods of “baptism” since the “apostolic” age, Sprinkling, Pouring and Dipping.  Any method other than complete covering or being completely buried under the water that is practiced by anyone, is un-scriptural.

 What Is The Purpose Of Baptism?

Let’s notice what is recorded in the book of Acts--chapter 2 and verse 38  “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remissions of sins…..”  Romans 6 and Colossians 2, shows that our baptism is symbolic of the death and burial of Christ.  Coming up out of the water is symbolic of Christ’s resurrection.  Romans 6: 3-5:  “know you not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?”  Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death, that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.”  For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection .”

Baptism is the first physical action that we take, after repentance that begins us on our journey to salvation.  If we detour in any way from the prescribed path, it could cause us to lose our way and possibly not arrive at our destination.  We must be very careful to follow God’s instruction in every way to be assured that we will complete the course,

and make our arrival.     

- Neil Wroten