In Acts 8:38 and 39 it teaches that both the baptized and the baptizer went down into the water and came up out of the water. So if this passage is teaching immersion (as Baptist and others teach) then those who believe in immersion are doing it all wrong. Both the preacher and the one being baptized by the preacher should go under the water.
2006-07-19 14:18:36 · 17 answers · asked by nobodiesinc 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
The actual Greek word for baptism is "baptizo." (Strong's Ref. # 907) This is from a derivative of Strongs Ref. # 0911; 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.
We can also see the picture of baptism in Romans 6:3-4, "Or don't you know that all of us who were baptized into union with Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? Therefore, through baptism we were buried with him into his death so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the Father's glory, we too may live an entirely new life."
Baptism has the picture of dying (going down into water), burial (under the water) and being resurrected to new life (brought up out of the water).
However, that being said, it is important to understand that there are times where a physical immersion is not possible. The elderly in nursing homes comes to mind. In those cases, where the new convert may be bedridden, I think God is less concerned about style, and more about what happened in the person's heart. Remember, the thief on the cross had no opportunity at all to be baptized, and yet Jesus said to him, "Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise." (Luke 23:43)
2006-07-19 15:08:44 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well, of course. How would you get in a lake--which was probably where it was--if you didn't go down into the water?
Since baptism is a symbol of the death of the 'old man of sin' it only needs to be done once: "One Lord, one baptism." So, hopefully the Preacher has already had the rite of immersed baptism. Therefore it's only the person being baptized who needs to go all the way under.
2006-07-19 14:22:59 · answer #2 · answered by Einsteinetta 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The Bible isn't for learning. It's for gaining knowledge and understanding. When this is done you will have wisdom.
Acts 1:5 "For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit."
The practice of Baptism is for repentance. Acts 19:4.
Being baptized by water alone doesn't make you born again. It's baptism of the Holy Spirit.
You should be be baptized in the Holy Spirit.
2006-07-19 15:33:00 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Baptism by complete immersion symbolizes dedication
Mark 1:9, 10; In the course of those days Jesus came from Naz´a·reth of Gal´i·lee and was baptized in the Jordan by John. 10 And immediately on coming up out of the water he saw the heavens being parted, and, like a dove, the spirit coming down upon him;
John 3:23; But John also was baptizing in Ae´non near Sa´lim, because there was a great quantity of water there, and people kept coming and being baptized;
Acts 19:4, 5 Paul said: “John baptized with the baptism [in symbol] of repentance, telling the people to believe in the one coming after him, that is, in Jesus.” 5 On hearing this, they got baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus
2006-07-19 14:23:14 · answer #4 · answered by darrell h 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Acts 2:38 states: Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand persons were added that day.
It has been suggested that there would not be enough time or clean water in Jerusalem for three thousand people to be baptized by full immersion in one day and that some or all of these baptisms might have been by pouring or sprinkling water.
With love in Christ.
2006-07-20 18:18:02 · answer #5 · answered by imacatholic2 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Immersion is going under the water, Just not necessarily in a lake, but a place build specially for Baptism, especially in Baptist Churches.
The problems I have with many fundamentalist, is that they take the Bible in such a literal way. The Bible was written by eastern minds, and much of the Bible tends to be symbolic in nature. Fundamentalist Christians remind me of some people who want to get to the moon, and that's all they concentrate on, but they miss all the beauty in between. It isn't whether you are sprinkled, immersed, or have a little water poured on your head. It's what it stands for that counts It's washing away our sins, and announcing to others that we are a part of the body of Christ, and that we are letting others know also, that we have excepted Christ as our personal Savior, and are dedicating our lives to Him.
2006-07-19 15:03:17 · answer #6 · answered by virgiinia r 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, no, baptize means "to wash". It is a symbolic ceremony that means a person has had their sins washed away by the blood of the Lamb. How deep you go into the water, or how much water is used does not matter. A person on their death bed can not physically get up and climb into a baptismal pool. Pouring or sprinkling are acceptable. So says John the Baptist.
2006-07-19 14:25:20 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
First of all, the Bible isn't going to go into explicit detail about the exact procedure of any ordinance (except in the Old Testament with sacrifices). Secondly, if you just think about it, the only one that needs to go under the water is the one being baptized. The one doing the baptizing can't be baptized again.
2006-07-19 14:25:01 · answer #8 · answered by Dave S 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
NO you must go down in water. And Correction in
ACTS 8:38
38) And he commanded the chariot to stand still; and they both went into the water, both phillip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.
The scripture says they both went into the water, not under the water. For how could he baptize him in the name of the Lord Jesus from under water?
And when they came up out the water, it means they got out of it.
No the preacher who is baptizing must call on the name as Jesus instructed in St.Matthew 28:19
I pray for you. Amen
2006-07-19 16:02:45 · answer #9 · answered by Brother Marland H 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think that you are reading into the Scripture.
Acts 8:38 And he commanded the chariot to stop, and they both went down into the water, Philip and the eunuch, and he baptized him. 39 And when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord carried Philip away, and the eunuch saw him no more, and went on his way rejoicing.
They went down into the water. While they were both standing in the water Philip baptized the eunuch. Then they both came out of the water. Philip didn't go under the water himself.
2006-07-19 14:34:16 · answer #10 · answered by Martin S 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋