There you have it, A dictionary definition. Obviously the Bible and we are wrong, baptism doesn’t have to be an immersion, but just any application of water will do. I guess this has to fall into the “don’t believe everything you read” category. The dictionary explains quite accurately how the word is used in religious circles today, but not the true meaning of the word. If just any application of water would do, why does the Bible always have examples of people going down into the water? I mean let’s face it water is not nearly as abundant in that part of the world as it is down here in Alabama where I live. Wouldn’t it have made more sense to just put a dab on the forehead, or maybe sprinkle a few drops or pour just a cup? It would have been much more logical by human standards, but not by God’s. Paul explains it admirably when he says “we are BURIED with Christ by baptism” and “we are PLANTED” Romans 6:4-5 (Emphasis mine). When was the last time you saw something buried or planted without being fully covered over with dirt or whatever substance was being used? I can honestly say I can’t remember ever experiencing that.
There are two other problems associated with baptism. One extreme says that it is not a necessary part of our salvation, and many brethren are falling for this one. The other extreme puts baptism forth as a cure all and focuses on this one step of God’s plan to the exclusion of other equally important aspects of salvation. We can realize without even turning to scripture that there is more to baptism than just being submerged in water. People do that when they go swimming or deep sea diving. Have these people been baptized? We can also understand that God does not command anything that isn’t necessary. Most obviously, we see that baptism alone is not enough. What does the Word of God say about it?
(Col 2:12) “Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.” The effectiveness of baptism is in the operation of God and our faith in that operating ability.
(1 Pet 3:20-21) “Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water. {21} The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:” Baptism does save us contrary to what many teach. There is nothing special about the water or the process, other than the fact that baptism by immersion in water is what God expects and demands as a prerequisite to being his child. Jesus said concerning marriage, “What God hath joined let no man put asunder”. God has joined salvation, forgiveness, and adoption with baptism. Why does man try so hard to separate them?
Many scriptures point to other parts of God’s plan for salvation. Many of those scriptures that emphasize the essentiality of baptism also point to the fact that it can’t stand alone. “He believeth and is baptized shall be saved.” Mark 16:16; “repent and be baptized every one of you”. Some live as though they think baptism washed away past, present and future sins at the point of baptism, and so they make no attempt to even change their life. Baptism is a burial of the old, sinful man who has been put to death. The sad thing is that many never killed him. They just knocked him out for a little while, and they didn’t bury him deep enough to keep him buried. Don’t let the sinful man resurrect himself in your life.