Many people wonder “What is Baptism?”
The wide variety of opinions on this question are revealed by the diversity of forms, methods, and teachings about baptism. Some groups baptize infants, while others baptize only adults. Some groups get baptized every year, while others will get baptized numerous times per week. There is even a group out there that gets baptized for dead people.
So it is no wonder that people are confused about what baptism is.
What is Baptism?
Much of this confusion can be clear up by simply defining baptism.
The first thing that we must realize about the word baptism is that, like many confusing words in Christianity, it is not a translation of a Greek word, but a transliteration. Since there is so much division and strife over what the word means, Bible translators have traditionally chosen to leave the word untranslated, and just change the Greek letters of the word into English, and leave it to the reader to figure out what the word means.
The word baptism is a transliteration of the Greek words baptizma or baptizō. The most basic definition of the word is “to dip” or “to immerse.”
But do not think that this solves the ancient religious debate about baptism by immersion vs. sprinkling. It doesn’t.
Baptism means “Immersion”…
…but not necessarily immersion into water.
In Greek literature, “baptism” rarely refers to what we think of as “baptism with water.” Instead, the word refers to a wide variety of events or ideas. It is used to refer to a sinking ship or a drowning person, and also to someone who is overcome by sickness and disease and “sinks” into death. In some Greek references, it refers to people who sink into sleep, intoxication, or impotence, or even to those who are overwhelmed by faults, desires, and the magical arts (Oepke, TDNT,
So “baptism” does not inherently include any idea of getting dunked under water, but rather refers to being immersed, overwhelmed, or overcome by something else. It means you are no longer who you were before, and are now fully identified with something or someone else.
Therefore, whenever you see the word “baptize” or “baptism” in Scripture, it would be wise to stop and change the word into “immersion” or “identification” and then ask yourself, “Immersed or identified with what?” This will help clear up numerous confusing passages in Scripture which talk about “baptism.” We will look at a few of these passages in the next two posts.
I found your blog by accident. I recently subscribed to “Books and Culture” and was looking up books at Amazon. I came across a book and looked at the reviews and found your review. I then followed your review to your blog. Anyway, I am an atheist, who enjoys learning everything in life. I am willing to read great books, even if, I do not believe in the ideology. I find we as people, need to be well read and open-minded. I will be a subscriber to your blog, because it seems very interesting.
Thank you for having such a great blog to read. Look forward to future posts.
Jay
Jay,
What are some of the good books you have read?
Actually, the books I bought today were “From Billy Graham to Sarah Palin” and “Evolving in Monkey Town”. The last Christian book I read was “23 Minutes in Hell”. Not bad, but not really believing that he went to hell. I am convinced he was just dreaming the whole event. With such a strong conviction in God, a person could feel like his dreams are really true.
Do you have any suggestions in books that are good?
Like this post very much now have a clue now where we are heading.
I am reading a bunch of stuff from Robert Farrar Capon
right now.
Amazing!
So basically, translation errors and reading things into the text that aren’t there. Gotcha.
I bet everyone will be able to look past the inherent biases of their beliefs and have an open mind to what you are saying.
/hahaha who am I kidding
Ha ha!
You are an amazing teacher and I am so grateful to have found your site! Your writing gives much clarity to concepts that I have so long struggled to understand. Thank you!
Thank you for reading! I try to write in a way that instructs and encourages, so keep checking back!
Would you please add links to the next posts?
I find it frustrating to get to the end of on of your post and see something like, “stay tuned” but there isn’t anyway to go to the next post.
Unless I am missing it. 🙂
Thank you. I’ve read several posts that have me wanting to follow through with your thoughts, but I am not sure where to go next.
I really like that definintial break down of the word baptism. It helps me actually realise what took place in my baptism in the spirit. I was overcome by my sinfulness and in desperate need of a saviour. Which is exactly what I was granted in my darkest hr. And it certainly was not anything I did to warrant this love given to me. Quite to the contrary. Your definition really makes sense to my conversion experience. I was just listening to a Jordan Peterson podcast last night. He was talking about his response to the question he gets asked a lot i. e. Does he believe in God. This question has really irritated him up to recently. But I think he has a handle on it now. Bless him. Can we even dare to say we belueve in God. Personally, I do not think so. But I would be much more comfortable in staying that God believes in me. This makes a whole lot more sense in every respect. Back to baptism after that tangent lol. I believe in one baptism for the forgiveness of sin. And there dies not need to be 1 drop of H2o within 100 miles of you. So dipped, immersed, sprayed, or pissed on. None apply, s to be honest. Aidan