Why do people believe that Jesus was Baptized by immersion?

Question

The Bible is silent on the method of Baptism of Jesus. The earliest pictoral reference to His Baptism shows John the Baptist pouring water over Jesus' head with a pitcher. The earliest written reference to Baptism is the Didache and it allows pouring and immersion. The Greek word for Baptism means to wash yet some people erroneously believe it means immersion. This is a clear case of eisegesis when people assume that Jesus was Baptized by immersion.

Linda, excellent comment.

Kelly & Rod,

Certainly many Jews practiced ritualistic washing and the Essenes whom John the Baptist was a part certainly did but this was not always by immersion. My point is that immersion is not the only method.

Abel,

What translation is your quote from?

Muhammadlust,

Everyone agrees He was in the water and then came up from it. What we do not agree about is if He was immersed. The Bible is silent on that fact but Sacred Tradition is not in the Didache.

Definition- Eisegesis

Using proof texts to support previous suppositions. Supporting ones views from Scripture instead of going to Scriptures to be instructed.

Makemeaspark,

I am a Catholic and we accept immersion as a valid form of Baptism as well as pouring. Therefore I am not trying to justify any doctrine but simply pointing out that the Scriptures do not tell us how Jesus was Baptised as the Scriptures you provided show. It seems tht many automatically assume that it was by immersion without any evidence but their own eisegesis.

Answer 1

exegesis?

The Gospels say that Jesus went to John who was baptizing people in the Jordan River. It does not explain how deep into the river he went, whether he was immersed, water was poured on his head, or he washed his face and hands. And, honestly, it does not matter. Maybe the reason we have no proof is so that we don't get hung up on method, but focus on the message.

Answer 2

I am sorry but do not listen to some the others. You should be baptized (although you do not have to). Being baptized is basically a public declaration about who's side your on and who you stand for. It is a very good thing. The catholics do not believe the same as us Christians do, they put Mary and Jesus at the same level, and that right their is sin. They believe that it's through the church that your saved and not through a personal relationship with Jesus where you have repented of your sins and trust on Him. As a new believer you need to be in a church and be around other believers who can help you and disciple you. This is very important. It needs to be sound in doctrine. Read the bible a lot and it tells you things to watch out for when coming across false prophets. Again choosing a church is very important. They need to Believe the WHOLE word of God, and not only part of it or to say "times have changed so the way we understand and take in the bible is different." No, thats not true, God said that "There is no new thing under the sun." Ecc. 1:9 He doesn't change just because we do. He still expects the same as what He did before, just now with Jesus there is grace, mercy, and forgiveness involved. Sorry for getting really off, but it's important. If you really want to be baptized, find a church that you can go to first. It's okay if you wait. It is much better to be baptized by Gods real people, than a group of people who do not belong to Him. (plus I don't think the catholics baptize anyway) If you have any questions I can give you my e-mail.

Answer 3

1. The word "baptism" comes from a Greek word that means immersion.

2. Matthew 3:13, Jesus came to the water instead of the water being brought to Him.

3. "And John also was baptizing in Aenon near to Salim, because there was much water there: and they came, and were baptized." (John 3:23) Only immersion requires "much water".

4. Jesus was in the water and then went up out of the water. (Matthew 3:16) (Also see Acts 8:38-39) Only immersion has the one being baptized coming up out of the water.

5. Later, baptism is called a burial. (Romans 6:3-4, Colossians 2:12) Only immersion is a burial.


Why would you think the baptism of Christ was anything other than immersion?

Answer 4

The main reason is that the Greek verb baptizo means to 'dunk'. "John the Baptist" was thus "John the dunker" if one wanted to actually translate it.

The Didache allows for variations (if you don't have cold water, then you may use warm, for example), but the verb itself, together with the practice of ritual immersion in Judaism that may have been in the background, are the main reasons. This doesn't mean there is no ambiguity about the matter - these are just the arguments usually cited as the basis for immersion.

Answer 5

Why would John baptize in a river, if he were to sprinkle he could just use a bucket. Also, the early church did likewise in imitation of Jesus in the first centuries AD. It was common knowledge that He was washed in the river. It is common knowledge that the early church did this also.

The practice stopped because of the northern countries that Christianity spread to were cold and it put lives at risk to get all wet in a cold, drafty Cathedral.

OK we have not one but 2 witnesses in scripture about it:

Matthew 3:16 NIV
As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and lighting on him.

Mark 1:10 NIV
As Jesus was coming up out of the water, he saw heaven being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove.

Hon, if you are trying to justify some doctrine in your church I think that you should consider that they are wrong on this. It does not mean that they are going to hell or that God will reject them or you. God is bigger than that. It's really going to be ok.

Answer 6

i believe it was probably by immersion, but i don't know for sure. and i'm also pretty sure paul wrote about baptism signifying death and ressurection, though i can't quote it. whatever the case, if it were that important, God would have had it written in the bible. it's the same with communion. the bible doesn't say how many times in a month we should take holy communion... Jesus said to take communion ''often.'' it seems pretty silly to me that churches can be divided over such trivial matters.

Answer 7

He was baptized in the Jordan river. Here is the Matthean text.

After Jesus was baptized, he came up from the water and behold, the heavens were opened (for him), and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove (and) coming upon him. - Matthew 3,16

Peace and blessings!

Answer 8

Matthe says after Jesus was baptized.he came up out of the water,then the Holy Spirit lighted on Him.
All the Jewish forms of baptisim were by immersion.They were called and still are Michvahs.There's no reason to think he wouldn't be ,especially standing in the river!

Answer 9

Mark 1:10 As soon as He came up out of the water, He saw the heavens being torn open and the Spirit descending to Him like a dove.


HOW CAN YOU COME OUT OF WATER UNLESS YOU ARE IN THE WATER?

Religious practices do not depend on PICTURES. If you want, you can start a new religion using pictures, and call it Picturian.

If you're trying to warp religious teachings out of its intended instruction, I suggest you attempt it elsewhere.

Answer 10

People believe Jesus was baptized by immersion because baptism is a (once weekly) Jewish custom, and Jesus was Jewish...