This area about it is ever right or when it is the right to set aside the position of Baptism by immersion is one of the most debatable and misunderstood topic. For as today we can see different denomination in applying different form of baptism, some perform by using the sprinkling of water, pouring and immersion. So it's not easy to say which form is the right one.
In order for someone to take baptism, first and foremost the person must accept Jesus as personal Lord and Savior. The original word for baptism in Greek is "baptizo" meaning to dip repeatedly, to immerse, to submerge, to cleanse by dipping or submerging, to wash, to make clean with water, to wash one's self, bathe. So the picture of baptism by immersion is probably taken from the original meaning of the word by getting someone immerse himself in water as being the right way of water baptism.
However, they may be exceptional cases due to some physical condition of someone physical disabilities in performing such an act, like paralyze, coma, sickness, in the state of dying. So the best way is to follow as close as possible given the opportunity and the readiness and maturity of a believer in performing such an act baptism by immersion.
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21 comments:
dear jerome, i agree with your view that when it comes to the exceptional situation we are see things in its perspective. GB>
Good explaination. how will you explain to the terminally ill candidates family on sprinkling from Biblical perspective.
Sounds to me like a ritual.
And rituals were something the pretestants are fighting about. And you are coming from a line that fights ritualising things?
So whats the meaning of baptism? Other than just to immerse someone?
Hi Jerome,
I shared the same opinion in regards to the forms of baptism. AG's setting is that we preferred immersion because it is the closet to the Greek meaning of 'baptizo'. Thee many incidental cases wherby much water were available e.g. John's baptism; the eunuch's baptism etc. But there is one thing if you can clarify - it is stated that 'baptizo' relates to the word repeatedly as mentioned in your article?
To: really? said...
You was saying that rituals is what the protestant fighting about? No, we're not fighting for ritual, indeed we just follow what the Lord Jesus Christ said in Matthew 28:19-20. Baptizing believers is a command which Jesus ask of his disciples to do, but not something that is ritualistic.
However, if we really didn't understand the meaning and significant of baptism then we will miss the point.
And I will agreed with you that we're ritualistic, doing it for the sake of doing.
To: Freddie
Thank you for agreeing with me that baptism by immersion is what the original Greek meant.
The meaning of "baptizo" from BibleWorks-Strong's data for "baptizing" <907> {5723}gives a few translation English word, and one of it is "to dip repeatedly". However according to word study, we will choose the closes meaning of the original meaning according to the text and it's will be "to immerse".
To: eunicelaw
Baptism is what the Lord Jesus commanded his disciples to do. Indeed for every believers we need to go through water baptism. Jesus himself went through water baptism in Matthew 3:13-16.
As Christian we need to follow suit, but there are exceptional cases when time, environment, condition may not permit a person to go through water baptism.
Just like the thief in Luke 23:32-43, he's not permitted to go through water baptism at that time but Jesus assure: he will be with Him in paradise.
So when someone who're sincerely want to go through water baptism but bedridden or terminally ill, surely the condition will not permit him/her to go through baptism by immersion, but sprinkling of water may be an option in showing the desire of the person in obeying the Lord command.
So looking at the physical condition, it will be wise for us to explain to the family that sprinkling of water can be an option in fulfilling the person desire.
Dear Jerome
Your statement that says 'its not easy to say which form of baptism is the right one' contradicts what you say later that baptism means baptizo in Greek and it means immersion.Therefore if baptism means immersion and if Jesus took baptism in the river Jordan where there was much water as did the Ethopian Eucnuch,then its easy to say that the correct form is by immersion.
Dear Raymond
Thanks for your valuable comment, This issue of baptism have been debated and argue fiercely, the result didn't come into conclusion with one ultimate way baptism. Different denomination have different way of baptism.
The reason I said "its not easy to say which form of baptism is the right one", is because different denomination have their own doctrine in supporting them to do so.
For AG we will stick to baptism by immersion.
Hi Jerome.
Why would we want to baptize a person who is in a comatose state?
Hi Alwin, it's not a compulsory for a comatose state person to go through baptism by immersion. The comment I make is a reference to Eunice's comment as above.
How can I explain to a bedridden or comatose family if he/she insist to go through baptism.
Hi my bro Jerome,
The scripture clearly shows there is only one Baptism which is " Baptism by Immersion" You have well stated there.
I do agree with you that Different denomination have different way of baptism and they have an answer for each Ritual base on their Doctrine.
You have stated to Raymond that "For AG we will stick to baptism by immersion".
How will you explain to one if the question was " why be baptized by immersion"
God bless you
Hi my bro Jerome,
The scripture clearly shows there is only one Baptism which is " Baptism by Immersion" You have well stated there.
I do agree with you that Different denomination have different way of baptism and they have an answer for each Ritual base on their Doctrine.
You have stated to Raymond that "For AG we will stick to baptism by immersion".
How will you explain to one if the question was " why be baptized by immersion"
God bless you
Does water baptism by immersion has more significant than other method of water baptism?If yes, explain. If no, then why insist by immersion?
To: Jason & learning via question said...
Thanks a lot for your interest in keeping the blog on going.
In answering both of you I will like to share my view why baptism by immersion was choose/prefer rather than others form.
In Matthew 3:16, it;s stated in the Bible that Jesus' baptism, he "went/came" up straight away "from the water/out of the water". Here it clearly show that Jesus is following the form of baptism by immersion.
The same form of baptism goes in Acts 3:36-38 about Philip and the Ethiopian Eunuch, "where both of them went down into the water and and out of the water", where Philip baptized him.
The words "into the water", and, "out of the water", these are precious words and full of meaning in relationship to Baptism by immersion.
So as Christian, we need to follow as close as what the bible clearly stated before us.
Hi Jerome, I think the method of baptism by immersion best symbolizes the message need to be conveyed and understood by the participants who had made the decision to be followers of Jesus, that is death to the old life and live the new life in Him.
Alo! Andrew, I'm totally agreed with you that every participant who're willing to take water baptism needed to conveyed and understood that the decision to do so and be followers of Jesus, water baptism is death to the old life and live the new life in Him.
yes. i do agree with your explanation on the significance of baptism.
Hi Jerome,
There is one more issue to discuss. In your opinion, would you request those who priviously were baptised in other mode of baptism to be rebaptized e.g. Catholics? If yes, why and if no then why? My personal opinion is not necessary unless ones does not have a proper understanding the meaning of baptism.
Thanks Jerome for your answer and really appreciate the biblical text reference.
It really shed light to my understanding on the reason for water baptism by immersion.
Thank you.
Hi Freddie, your question is indeed very practical. During my baptism class in GTPJ, someone asked the same question also.
The pastor who conduct the class explain that if the person didn't go through water baptism by immersion and now given the chance to learn/know the truth, why not do it again in a correct manner.
I personally can't give an answer unless to know the person well enough about his/her relationship with the Lord. Whether it is necessary to do so,or the person are willing be baptist again. Here, many issues need to take into consideration.
Thanks.
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