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The act of Christian Baptism (as with the Lord's Supper) is an action the disciple participates in with obedience and faith. Both Baptism and the Lord's Supper are often called sacraments. Sacrament is a Latin word meaning in the military sense; the oath of obedience taken by newly enlisted soldiers (Latin:sacramentum). Although the thought can easily be applied, and has been for centuries, it is not a Biblical term or concept.
Baptism, from the Greek and Hebrew texts, means a method of dipping or immersing in water for cleansing and sanctification. This would be the act of immersion (Greek: baptisma), submersion and emergence. The word baptizo is the verb of baptisma, or to baptize. Both are from the Greek work bapto, which means to dip. All indicate immersion.
Baptism is not a part of salvation in the sense that the act itself has any effect upon God bestowing His grace.1 However, to reverse this idea is to assume that any saved person would desire and seek baptism as a matter of obedience and acceptance of the grace that God has given. The disciple desires obedience, and thus, would certainly be baptized, or immersed, as they would also partake of the Lord's Supper.
Christians are to be obedient to the Word of God in concept and example, and this certainly applies to baptism. Christ's baptism was in the Jordan river and was ushered in by the Presence of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.2 When our Lord Jesus gave His commission, He said "Go therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the Name of the Father, and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the age."3 Anyone can baptize another.
Of all the reasons for baptism, the idea of participating (emergence), and thus, becoming united with Christ in His suffering (death, burial, resurrection), service, and source of new Life, seems to have great significance, and is most fitting for a disciple.4 The idea is carried on by Paul "as of first importance" that we see the death, burial and resurrection of Christ.5 That is the 'gospel', or the Good News. Baptism is a very personal way to participate in this truth once one has been saved.
Additional Scripture References:
Matthew 3:1-10, Matthew 28:18
Mark 16:14-18
Acts 2:37-38, Acts+8:12, Acts+8:35
Galatians 3:26-27
Ephesians 4:5
Colossians 2:12
1 Peter 3:2
1. Ephesians 2:8
2. Matthew 3:1-17
3. Matthew 28:18
4. Romans 6:1-11
5. 1 Corinthians 15:1-4
© Copyright 2001 Lighthouse Ministries. All Rights Reserved.
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