Greek
βαπτίζω
baptizō
To baptize, immerse, wash
The Greek verb for 'to baptize' — meaning to dip, immerse, or wash. The NT applies it to John's baptism (water), Christian baptism (water + Spirit), Spirit-baptism, and Christ's 'baptism' of suffering. The mode and meaning of baptism have shaped Christian practice for 2,000 years.
Baptizo (βαπτίζω) is a Greek verb meaning to dip, immerse, plunge, or wash. The simpler form 'baptō' means to dip. In Classical Greek, baptizō was used for dipping cloth in dye, for sinking ships, and for ritual washings. It implies a thorough immersion or saturation. The English word 'baptize' is a transliteration through Latin. The noun 'baptisma' means baptism — the act or its result.
Baptizo and baptisma have several uses in the NT. (1) John the Baptist's baptism. Matthew 3:6 — 'And were baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins.' John's baptism was a baptism of repentance (Mark 1:4). (2) Jesus' baptism by John. Matthew 3:13-17 — to 'fulfil all righteousness.' (3) Christian baptism. Matthew 28:19 — the Great Commission includes baptizing 'in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.' Acts 2:38 — 'Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ.' Christian baptism marks union with Christ in death and resurrection (Romans 6:3-4). (4) Spirit-baptism. Mark 1:8 — John: 'I indeed have baptized you with water: but he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost.' 1 Corinthians 12:13 — 'For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body.' At Pentecost, the church was Spirit-baptized (Acts 1:5). (5) Christ's baptism of suffering. Luke 12:50 — Jesus: 'I have a baptism to be baptized with; and how am I straitened till it be accomplished!' His death is a baptism. (6) Baptism into Christ. Galatians 3:27 — 'For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.' Romans 6:3 — 'baptized into Jesus Christ' = 'baptized into his death.' The mode of baptism. (a) Immersion — the literal meaning of baptizō. Many denominations practice this. (b) Pouring or sprinkling — historically practiced (Didache, early 2nd century). Practiced by most Reformed, Methodist, Catholic, and Orthodox traditions. Christians have differed for 2,000 years; the central question is the meaning, not just the mode. The recipients of baptism. Christians differ: (a) Believer's baptism (credobaptism) — only those who profess faith. Practiced by Baptists, Pentecostals, most evangelicals. (b) Infant baptism (paedobaptism) — children of believing families. Practiced by Catholic, Orthodox, Reformed, Lutheran, Anglican, Methodist. Both views are held by serious Christians.
“Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.”
“Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.”
“Know ye 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.”
“For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.”
“The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us... by the resurrection of Jesus Christ.”
“And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.”
Be baptized as a believer (or honor your infant baptism with mature faith if from a paedobaptist tradition). Recognize baptism as union with Christ in death and resurrection. Live in light of this — die to the old; live to the new. Don't make baptism mode or timing a test of fellowship beyond what Scripture warrants. The substance — union with Christ — is what matters most.
Baptizo (βαπτίζω) is Greek for 'to baptize, immerse, dip, wash.' The literal meaning is immersion. In the NT it refers to John's baptism (water-based, of repentance), Christian baptism (water in the name of the Trinity), Spirit-baptism (the Spirit's work in believers), and Christ's 'baptism' of suffering. It implies thorough saturation or immersion.
Christians have differed for 2,000 years. The literal meaning of baptizō is immersion. Most Baptist and Pentecostal traditions practice immersion. The Didache (~AD 100) allowed pouring when water was scarce. Most Catholic, Orthodox, Reformed, Methodist, and Lutheran traditions practice pouring or sprinkling. The Bible doesn't dogmatically specify mode; both sides argue from Scripture. The substance (union with Christ) matters more than mode.
Christians differ. Credobaptists (Baptists, Pentecostals) hold that only those who profess faith should be baptized. Paedobaptists (Catholic, Orthodox, Reformed, Lutheran, Anglican, Methodist) baptize infants of believing families, treating it as the new covenant sign analogous to OT circumcision. Both sides argue from Scripture and tradition. Choose a church whose baptism practice you can affirm.
Christians differ. The thief on the cross was saved without baptism (Luke 23:43), so baptism is not absolutely essential. But the Great Commission includes baptism (Matthew 28:19), and the early church baptized every convert (Acts 2:38; 8:36-38; 16:33). Most Christians affirm: baptism is the normal expression of saving faith, commanded by Christ. To refuse baptism while claiming faith is to disobey Christ. Salvation is by faith in Christ; baptism is the public confession of that faith.