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What is Baptism?
Baptism is immersion. Baptism is an overwhelming and irrevocable experience. There are many baptisms (Hebrews 6:2) but we are always being baptized into the same Spirit, the Spirit of God. (Ephesians 4:4-6).
First let’s look at some definitions from the Strong’s Concordance, a dependable resource for word study and definition.
Baptism - Strong’s NT:907 baptizo (bap-tid'-zo); from a derivative of NT:911; to immerse, submerge; to make overwhelmed (i.e. fully wet); used only (in the N. T.) of ceremonial ablution, especially (technically) of the ordinance of Christian baptism:
KJV - Baptist, baptize, wash
While were at it what does it mean to be “saved”
Saved – Strong’s NT:4982 sozo (sode'-zo); from a primary sos (contraction for obsolete saoz, "safe"); to save, i.e. deliver or protect (literally or figuratively):
KJV - heal, preserve, save (self), do well, be (make) whole.
We can see from these definitions that in order for us to be completely delivered healed, preserved and made whole, we must experience immersions. At times we will be overwhelmed. The truth of this scripture goes far beyond a simple one time experience of dipping in a river or a tub if some sort that makes us wet with water and then we move on.
It is often taught that baptism is a ritual that you must do in order for your “believing” to have its full effect and thus insure your being “saved”. The interpretation given to the word “saved” is often “saved from Hell and allowed entrance into Heaven in the after life”. I believe that this picture misses a much greater truth concerning the operation of the Kingdom of God in our lives. First this verse says that those “ who do not believe” will be condemned, not those who are not “baptized”.
Believe what? – Believe the Gospel of the Kingdom that Jesus preached and later instructed His disciples to preach throughout the world. Matthew 24:14
(Remember always – “Without faith it is impossible to please God” - Hebrews 11:6)
Secondly, I am convinced that whoever believes WILL EXPERIENCE Baptism as a natural and unavoidable consequence of their choice to (really) believe. These baptisms are more than multiple dunkings in water. Baptism(s) are specific and individual places of transition where we completely abandon the former realm of living for a new one that God has prepared. I am not advocating the removal of traditional water baptism (immersion) services and events from our gatherings, but I am sure that Baptism is more that a ritual. There are many baptisms in a person’s life of fellowship with the Lord – Hebrews 6 talks about the doctrine of baptisms (notice the plural!) as one of the foundational truths of the Church.
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