Updated:- Saturday, November 4th, 2023
Water Baptism by Immersion – Fundamental Doctrine of Christ
If someone were to ask you whether or not water baptism by immersion is important to you, what would be your answer?
If yes were your response, why? Why would it be important to you as a Believer in Jesus Christ?
However, as you ponder on that question, in my mind’s eye I’m traveling through the Bible and I realize that “types” and “shadows” and many metaphors of baptism litter the Bible.
Nevertheless, water baptism by immersion has been a fundamental doctrine of Jesus Christ and His Church, (Hebrews 6:2).
It was so important to him that he baptized all of his disciples then he went to John and both went down into the water.
What Is Baptism By Immersion?
This manner of baptism is different from pouring or sprinkling. Instead, the baptizer horizontally submerged you in the water while invoking the cleansing name of Jesus Christ.
Then, he lifts you to a standing position.
Thus, baptism by immersion is the only manner of baptism practiced in the Bible! This was the method John the Baptist utilized for all the people of Judae and for Jesus Christ.
What Is The Meaning of Baptism By Immersion?
The Holy Bible does not explicitly state the meaning of baptism by immersion. To ascertain it, you must make some deductions from your knowledge and observation of many of them that the Bible describes.
For example, start with the baptism of John, the disciples, Jesus, and finally the Church.
Compare and analyze them.
Now, connect them by noting the features they share concerning the Bible’s explicit descriptions and explanations about water baptism.
Should Water Baptism Happen in a River?
“After these things came Jesus and his disciples into the land of Judaea; there he tarried with them, and baptized” (John 3:22).
“When therefore the Lord knew how the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John,
(Though Jesus himself baptized not, but his disciples)” (John 4:1-2).
Similarly, it was very important to Jesus Christ. It was the topic of his last sermon to his disciples. According to Apostles Matthew and Mark, just before he ascended into heaven, he taught them how to conduct water baptism by immersion on his behalf.
“Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost” (Matthew 28:19 and Mark 16:16).
That name is Jesus Christ!
After the ascension of Jesus Christ, the Church continued in his tradition of water baptism by immersion for all Believers. It is mandatory for all who believe in the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Is Water Baptism by Immersion the Only Biblical Mode of Baptism?
Therefore, some Believers received Spirit baptism first then the disciples would baptize them in water, (Acts 10:46-8).
However, others experienced water baptism first then later they received Spirit baptism, (Acts 8:14-17).
But regardless of which occurred first, they all experienced water baptism by immersion in a river in Israel.
Is Immersion Necessary for Baptism?
Today, especially in the USA, many baptisms don’t occur in rivers. However, in other countries, they still practice immersing the baptismal candidates in water especially in rivers or seas.
Nevertheless, regardless of where you experienced baptism whether, in a river, lake, pool, sea, or bath, water baptism by immersion is the only biblical mode of baptism.
Baptism by “pouring” or “sprinkling” is not in the Holy Bible. These modes of baptism crept into the Church through religion.
Additionally, these latter modes don’t even qualify as baptism.
Immersion is necessary for baptism because of what it represents or symbolizes spiritually.
Baptizo – Baptism In Greek – What Does it Teach Us?
The word “baptizo” illuminates Christian baptism. The diction of our Christian baptism has its roots in this ancient Greek word.
According to the Free Dictionary Dot Com, it means “to dip, plunge, drown” or “sink into”.
Back then, when this word was popular, it’s very difficult to imagine a person being baptized by not dipping, plunging, or sinking him or her into water.
Who would take another person to a river to sprinkle his or her head with water? One could always take the water to such a one and sprinkle the same.
However, early “luminaries” like Martin Luther (1483-1546) accepted and believed in baptism by immersion.
But, sprinkling as baptism crept into religion via one main window, Roman Catholicism. But it’s not biblical.
Why Do We Have To Be Completely Under the Water When We Are Baptized?
When we experience water baptism by immersion we symbolize the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Yet, this mode of baptism has far more spiritual implications.
By baptism by immersion, we take on the name Jesus Christ. This is the only method by which we can be “called by his name” and the spirit world is very cognizant of this.
By this, they know those “that are called by Christ”. It’s more than a symbol.
Additionally, water baptism by immersion is one part of the two-part mandatory process of being born again.
However, Jesus tells us that it’s mandatory to enter into the “Kingdom of God” (John 3:5).
When a person dies, don’t we bury such a one “fully” or “completely“? We never bury the dead and have a hand or foot or head sticking out of the ground.
That only happens in movies.
We cover the entire body fully.
Immersion Baptism The Only Way?
Similarly, that’s how we should conduct water baptism by immersion, fully submerged and not in the “upright position” but “horizontally“.
For those reasons the person who is fully submerged is “born of water” (John 3:5).
This means that the water gives birth to such a one, spiritually.
I explained this topic in-depth in my book.
Thus, only a person who is fully submerged is baptized.
In the Scriptures, who did the Apostles baptize while the baptismal candidate was standing? No one!
Water baptism and immersion baptism, in particular, is fundamental to Christ and his Church.
For the following reason:
This is he that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth.”
1 John 5:6
Since Jesus came by water and by blood we must emulate him. He’s our Leader and Savior!
How to Know When Baptism is Correct?
This too is not biblical. It entered into religion, for it’s not in the Church, by the same organization that introduced “sprinkling” as baptism.
Seeing that John the Baptist; Jesus Christ himself; his disciples and the Church all preached and practiced water baptism by immersion, it must have been very important to them. And it should be to you too.
Then, everyone that believed the Gospel of the Kingdom was baptized by immersion in one of the many rivers of Israel.
How do we know that water baptism by immersion was the mode for Christ and his church?
Do you think that when the people who believed the Gospel went to the river to be baptized, the baptizer would collect some of the river water and sprinkle or pour it on them? No.
This is the word of Satan deceiving people and thus preventing them from being born again. If you are not born again you possess no power over death.
Want to know more about that, read this book!
Who Should Experience Water Baptism by Immersion?
Jesus “when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water” (Matthew 3:16). This tells me that first, he was down in it.
In a similar manner, when Apostle Philip was baptizing the eunuch, “they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him” (Acts 8:38).
After the Eunuch experienced water baptism by immersion they both came up and out of the water. They went down and then they came up and out of the water.
Both the Apostle Philip and the Eunuch didn’t go into the river so that the Apostle could sprinkle the Ethiopian with water. They went into the river because the former had to submerge the latter into the water.
“And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing” (Acts 8:39).
Similarly, today, anyone who believes that Jesus Christ is the Only Begotten Son of God and is twelve years old or older qualifies for water baptism in the mighty name of Jesus Christ!
What Does Water Baptism By Immersion Represent?
The death, burial, and resurrection of the newly baptized Believer.
Baptism in water and by immersion is not only the single correct mode of baptism but also, the only scriptural and spiritually correct form.
It is the sole mode of baptism that Jesus Christ and his Church practiced. It alone exemplifies his victory over death until the First Resurrection.
Today, everyone that believes that Jesus Christ is the Son of God should experience water baptism by immersion invoking the name of Jesus Christ.
That has been the Church’s tradition since the Baptism of John.
What is the Significance of Water Baptism By Immersion?
Although physically, water baptism by immersion is mostly symbolic, spiritually it has profound eternal implications for us.
It symbolizes the death, burial, and resurrection of the Believer.
Consequently, the baptismal positions have significant relevance. When the baptizer places the baptismal candidate horizontally on his or her back and submerges such a one under the water this is representative.
What Does Full Immersion Baptism Symbolize?
It symbolizes the death of Christ. The submerging portrays his burial.
Therefore, when the baptizer lifts the person up out of the water to an upright position this represents resurrection to a new life.
“Therefore we are buried with [Jesus] 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” (Romans 6:4 & Col 2:12).
This is so, especially concerning the remission of sins and the new life. The details of which I cannot discuss now but I promise to do so later if the Lord wills.
Finally, you should get baptized today.
Identify a Church that utilizes water baptism by immersion calling on “the name” i.e., the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, and that name is Jesus Christ.
Why Is Baptism By Immersion Important?
Then, you should get baptized in the precious name of Jesus Christ.
And if your baptism was in some other name you still need to baptism again in the name of Jesus Christ (Acts 19:1-5).
Neither Father, Son, nor Holy Ghost is a name. The name is Jesus Christ. Don’t allow anyone to deceive or mislead you.
Since the Baptism of John, the name Jesus Christ is the only name that repentance and remission of sins have been taught in and practiced in the Church.
Therefore, Jesus taught his leaders to employ “the name” when they baptize his Believers, (Matthew 28:19).
Enquire How that Assembly Conducts Baptism
So, before you enter into baptism please ensure by enquiring how that assembly conducts its water baptism. It must be by immersion. This they should do by calling on the name of Jesus Christ.
Saying, “in the name of the Father, the name of the Son and the name of the Holy Ghost”, is not using “the name.
Matthew 28:19
That is merely repeating the instructions to baptize, and doing so constitutes disobedience to the Lord God.
FAQs – Why Baptism By Immersion?
Because this mode of baptism is the only one John the Baptist, Jesus, and the Church practiced.
The importance of water baptism by immersion is both personal and spiritual.
Baptism by immersion is significant in several ways, both symbolically and spiritually. Here are a few reasons immersion baptism is significant:
It symbolizes death to sin. It also shows a new life in Christ. Just as Jesus died and was buried, and then rose again to new life, baptism by immersion represents a person’s own spiritual death and resurrection. Going under the water symbolizes dying to sin and being buried with Christ, and rising up out of it represents being raised to new life with Him.
It also demonstrates a public commitment to follow Jesus. Baptism by immersion is typically done publicly. By undergoing baptism, a person is publicly declaring his or her faith in Jesus Christ and a desire to follow Him.
I have always declared that it represents a spiritual cleansing. Water has long been an agent of cleansing and purification, and baptism by immersion is no exception. By being fully immersed in water, a person is symbolically washing away their sins and starting anew in their spiritual journey.
It connects believers to a broader Christian community: Baptism by immersion is a practice that is common across many Christian denominations, and undergoing this type of baptism can connect a believer to a larger community of fellow believers who share their faith and commitment to following Jesus.
Overall, baptism by immersion is seen as a significant act of faith and a symbol of a person’s spiritual rebirth and commitment to follow Jesus Christ.
Immersion baptism is a Christian baptismal practice in which a person is fully submerged or immersed in water, symbolizing a cleansing and rebirth into a new life in Christ.
In immersion baptism, a leader and Believer in Christ performs the baptism.
This he conducts in a body of water. This could be anything such as a pool, river, container, or even the sea.
The person being baptized is then fully immersed in the water, either by being dunked under the surface of the water.
This type of baptism is commonly practiced by many Protestant denominations, including Baptists, Pentecostals, and Evangelicals.
Many see it as an outward sign of an inward commitment to follow Jesus Christ and a symbol of death and resurrection with Christ.
The practice of immersion baptism is based on the biblical account of Jesus’ own baptism by John the Baptist in the River Jordan, as well as the apostles’ baptisms of early Christian converts in the Book of Acts.
Conclusion
The importance of water baptism by immersion to salvation is far-reaching. Believers need it to enter the Kingdom of God, and without it, ve possess no authority with God.
Mainly, because by it ve take on His Son’s name.
Without the name of Jesus Christ, Christians cannot operate in the Kingdom of God with authority. It’s his name that confers his authority on us!
Is Baptism Cumposory?
The baptizer should not quote Matthew 28:19 when he baptizes you. None of Jesus’ disciples did that. He must invoke the name of Jesus Christ at baptism. He must explicitly call the name Jesus Christ as he puts you under the water.
Only the name of Jesus removes sins. It is the only name that could save you from your sins.
“Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved” (Acts 4:12).
Period.
Credits for the photo above go to Rudy van der Veen
Good website. It has a lot of useful information
Thanks Peter, I try!