What is baptism?

What does it do?

It gets you very very wet.

Unless you're a Lutheran.

Then it only gets you a little wet.

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It is an act of obedience symbolizing the believer's faith in a crucified, buried, and risen Saviour, the believer's death to sin, the burial of the old life, and the resurrection to walk in newness of life in Christ Jesus. It is a testimony to the believer's faith in the final resurrection of the dead. Wiki definition..

Bible scriptures on it...

For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one Spirit.
1 Corinthians 12:13 NASB

Corresponding to that, baptism now saves you-not the removal of dirt from the flesh, but an appeal to God for a good conscience-through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,
1 Peter 3:21 NASB

John answered and said to them all, "As for me, I baptize you with water; but One is coming who is mightier than I, and I am not fit to untie the thong of His sandals; He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.
Luke 3:16 NASB

Those are just a few verses on it. So my understanding is this...

It is something Christ Himself did, it shows our pledge to Him. I think it is important but that we are saved by the spiritual baptism, given to us by Him, through repenting, believing and receiving. Do we "have" to.... no. But i would ask one who has been truly save,...why don't you want to take the plunge? It seems like a wonderful act of obedience that blesses us and others. It seems to be an important act to Him and I think it is such a small thing we can do to show our commitment to our choice to believe. Besides that, it is refreshing and exhilarating experience and journey.

You fullfill one of the commandments.

I almost got baptized once. It seems like a long time ago. Like a different world. I wanted to do it though just to prove to people that I was a good person and could be spiritual. I just wanted attention I think. I didn't get baptized anyway. I was watching something on TV though and they were saying you have to be baptized to be saved. I don't think that is a thing though but I wonder why people say that.

Baptism is a result of the sabbath rest we have in Christ. It softens our heart as we believe what he says. calling it "mixing faith" in Hebrew 4 .

If no hearing of God as that needed to both will and do the good pleasure of Him as a imputed righteousness .... no rest. The heart remains hard.

Well i think it was wise to examine your heart. I think ppl believe it because Jesus was baptized and because it is a good idea. I believe, though, our faith is a sincere heart for Him thing. I think getting baptized pleases Him and that is good enough for me.

Baptized via Holy Spirit & Water Baptism

Matthew 3:11 I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:
(NOTE: John the baptist made clear that Christ would baptise with the Holy Spirit)

Col 2:11 In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision "made without hands" in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ:
(NOTE: The baptism of the Holy Spirit is a SPIRITUAL circumcison/covenant done without hands. Only Christ can baptise with the Holy Spirit, without hands or water)

1 Corinthians 12:13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.
(NOTE: Translators capitalized Spirit to identify when referring the Holy Spirit. Only Christ can baptise with/in the Holy Spirit. Salvation happens at the moment Christ baptizes & seals us with the indewlling Holy Spirit)

Water Baptism is an Emblem: A symbolic representation of a particular quality or concept.

When you publicly undertake the Emblem/symbolic representation of water baptism. Where you die to self, are emmersed (buried emblem) & rise up (resurrection emblem).

John 12:24 Jesus said; Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground & die, "it abideth alone": "but if it die" "it bringeth forth much fruit"
(NOTE: Believers are unable to produce good fruit until they have partaken in water baptism)

It's not until after Christ's death & resurrection. That the Risen Lord opens the door of salvation to gentiles via Christ sending Paul to them.

Gal 4:4 But when the fullness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, "made under the law"
(NOTE: Jesus kept, preached & lived by the law)

Jesus sent to the circumcision (Nation of Israel) only.

Rom 15:8 "Jesus Christ was a minister of the circumcision" for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made to the fathers of the circumcision
(NOTE: Circumcision was a blood covenant between God and the collective Nation of Israel, not gentiles)

Matt 10:5 These 12 Jesus sent forth & commanded them, saying, "Go not into the way of the Gentiles" or into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not:
(NOTE: "Go not into the way of the Gentiles")

6 But go rather "to the Lost Sheep of the House of Israel"
(NOTE: Go "to the Lost Sheep of the House of Israel)

Matt 15:24 Jesus said:
"I am only sent but to the lost sheep of the house of Israel"
(NOTE Sent ONLY to the lost sheep of the house of Israel)

Gentiles ARE NOT a part of Jesus earthly in the flesh ministry

After Christ's death & resurrection:
Matt 28:19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
(NOTE: The RISEN Christ now sends then to ALL Nations)

What is sabbath rest?

Water the temporal seen, is a metaphor used to represent the unseen, eternal Holy Spirit.

Baptism a word that means to wash or purify. It has its roots as a old testament ceremonial ordinance, as a shadow to represent the unseen kingdom of God. It as a shadow which had no effectual power was used when a new men had a desire to become a priest in the priesthood of believers. John 3 seems to be the best place that speak directly to the subject . Men challenging the new order after Melchizedek as Kingdom or priest men woman and children . In that way God calls us kings as Ambassadors from another land (the heavenly new Jerusalem). bring the good new gospel

Then there arose a question between some of John's disciples and the Jews about purifying.And they came unto John, and said unto him, Rabbi, he that was with thee beyond Jordan, to whom thou barest witness, behold, the same baptizeth, and all men come to him. John answered and said, A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven.John3:25-27

In other words how could a person from the tribe of Judah become one that officiates as if he was of the tribe of Levi ?

When Christ came to establish the new manner after the order of Melchizedek. In the process a Priesthood after the mew manner all the nations of the world men woman and children had come into effect. .It was necessary in that transfer was John from the tribe of Levi to officiate. After Jesus was officiated he began officiating others baptizing them in the power of the Holy Spirit of God symbolized by using water as that seen …...the beginning of His ministry Then he was sent out into the wilderness as our scapegoat

Psalm 110:4 The Lord hath sworn, and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek.

Joh 3:1 There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews:
Joh 3:2 The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.
Joh 3:3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
Joh 3:4 Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born?
Joh 3:5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
Joh 3:6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
Joh 3:7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.

Water Baptism is your public way of saying, and showing that you've chosen to be born again. God will judge if you are sincere or not and the most important thing is to understand the meaning of the process. You are dying to the old self to be born of the Spirit.

Mar 1:4 John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.
Act 19:4 Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus. Act 19:5 When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
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.

Dying to self, being buried with Christ, no longer living for self, or death to self allows us to be servants of God and the Holy Spirit.
Conversion.

Hi thanks for the reply and a opportunity to offer my opinion.

I would offer a sabbath rest is the rest we freely receive from God with no work on our part. This is when and if we do not harden our hearts in unbelief (no faith, no God) .

This is knowing it is God alone who does make our heart soft as we do rest in His labor of love also called a work of faith that I think we can say works in us as it did in Abraham and Rehab all who hear the word .

The key which I am still learning about is understanding what it mean to "mix faith" in what we do hear or see. Mixing faith is believing God or believing the gospel as he gives the churches ears to hear what the Spirit is saying .

Atheist who say there is not God in their heart forfeit the blessing when he does by softening our hearts.

Hebrew 4 read slowly and carefully. I think can help us undertstand why the gospel was effectual to some but not others. and therefore what is the sabbath rest.

Hebrews 4 King James Version (KJV) Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it.For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it. For we which have believed do enter into rest, as he said, As I have sworn in my wrath, if they shall enter into my rest: although the works were finished from the foundation of the world.For he spake in a certain place of the seventh day on this wise, And God did rest the seventh day from all his works. And in this place again, If they shall enter into my rest.Seeing therefore it remaineth that some must enter therein, and they to whom it was first preached entered not in because of unbelief:Again, he limiteth a certain day, saying in David, To day, after so long a time; as it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts.

The rest speaks of a imputed righteousness as in Philippians 2:12. God working in us with us to both will and do His good pleasure .

Its the commandments from his lips that we mix with faith (believe God not seen) that does move us in a hope of a work that again works in us to both will and perform his good pleasure. Job speaks of the same kind imputed righteousness.

Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food.But he is in one mind, and who can turn him? and what his soul desireth, even that he doeth.For he performeth the thing that is appointed for me: and many such things are with him.Therefore am I troubled at his presence: when I consider, I am afraid of him.For God maketh my heart soft, and the Almighty troubleth me:Job 23: 12-16

One side issue that I find interesting is after he explains how he works in us with us to both will and do His good pleasure in Philippian 2, is that he says to do it without grumbling knowing the hardness of our hearts as we are only beginning to understand what that harness is and will not be relived until us as new creatures receive our new incorruptible bodies that will not naturally lust after the things seen as the bodies of death we live in .

For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.Do all things without murmurings and disputings: Philipipians 2:13-14

I think it could be why he added the loving commandment; Do all things without murmurings and disputings: ( Philippians 2:14) which could help us understand; 1 Corinthians 4 (And if you have feely received the softening of your heart) why would a person boast as if they have not.
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And these things, brethren, I have in a figure transferred to myself and to Apollos for your sakes; that ye might learn in us not to think of men above that which is written, that no one of you be puffed up for one against another. For who maketh thee to differ from another? and what hast thou that thou didst not receive? now if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received it?1 Corinthians 4:6-7

I would call that the sabbath rest.

Baptize (baptizo) to immerse fully.

Water will get you wet especialy if you take a dunking but is not a salvation element.

Although I'm glad garee is here, and that he is able to participate, and enjoy fellowship at cc...
his explanation of baptism was not orthodox, and it was extremely odd, and there is absolutely nothing to connect baptism with the Sabbath or Melchizedek. Although I'm glad garee is here, that was one of the strangest explanations of baptism I've ever heard.

Many people here have already given a good explanation of baptism.

Baptism is normally understood as a moment when you PUBLICLY IDENTIFY, in a SYMBOLIC WAY, with CHRIST... AFTER YOUR CONVERSION.
It is a PUBLIC EXPRESSION, for all to see, of your conversion.

Because it is a public expression, and everyone can see it... it is a BIG DEAL in countries where you can be killed, or ostracized, for your faith. It is the moment you PUBLICLY DECLARE that you are a Christian. And in many countries, to this day, this public admission is what marks you for death.

In 1st century Jewish culture, this Christian Baptism would get you ostracized from your family, and from your community. You could essentially lose everything in your life... possibly even your work and livelihood. In other cultures, this Christian Baptism could literally mark you for death.

Here in western culture, in modern times, something which is a PUBLIC ADMISSION of Christianity doesn't seem like a very big deal.
But it is a big deal.
It's when you SHOW everyone around you that you are a believer... they will look at you differently, and treat you differently, and watch all your actions, and maybe judge you, and maybe turn against you.
And in many other places around the world... it still marks you for death.

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The same rite or ritual immersion as pertains to Jewish conversion and known as the Mikveh.

Humans are born of water the moment they enter the world, being they were in the womb. Baptism is a symbolic rite that cleanses you from your former fallen, "filthy" self, and is like unto entering the tomb where the flesh lay in repose. Only to then rise cleansed, renewed, as like unto the Christ in his glorified body when he defeated death. 1 Peter 3:18. Jesus demonstrated himself what he taught others. We are dead in the flesh, but through God's grace we are regenerated to live eternally.

Typically one is baptized in living water. But if that is not available, a baptismal tank as is available in many churches will do nicely. One can also baptize themselves if they are not member of a church. It is the ritual that leads the mind to the faith covenant, as God already knows his own. Baptism is not required to be saved. It is a ritual that lets us transform our mind from the things of this world unto the holy will of God and his purpose for us.

Baptism is not a word native to the english language, It is a transliteration of the greek word Baptizo, which means to be immersed into. Plunged into. Or united with.

There are a few types of baptisms spoke of in scripture. Do it would depend which baptism you are wanting to discuss.

There’s more than one baptism?

There is ceremonial baptisms (washing of temple utensils or ceremonial washings of other things according to the law

There is water baptism (also known as christian baptism)

And there is the baptism of God (Also called Holy Spirit Baptism) in which every believer goes through

If you look at classic greek. Baptism resempled modern day dyeing of clothes.. A person who dyed clothes was a baptizer..

And quite a few other uses also.

That was kind of you to say it that way.

Strange but true and with plenty of evidence. That is if a person desires to follow the old testament ceremonial ordnance of when a new priest would enter the ministry (not all Levites were priests) but all Old testament priest were from the family of Levi up until Jesus from the tribe of Judah. I think a good place to start is to look at the nature of the question.

Then there arose a question between some of John's disciples and the Jews about purifying. And they came unto John, and said unto him, Rabbi, he that was with thee beyond Jordan, to whom thou barest witness, behold, the same baptizeth, and all men come to him.JOhn3:25-26

Jesus came in to establish the new order after Melchizedek changing the priesthood to all the nations of the world as new creatures Jew, Gentile, men and woman to include children holding out the gospel of peace. Therefore no longer after a Jew alone .The reformation had come.

Psalm 110:4 The Lord hath sworn, and will not repent, Thou art a priest "for ever" after the order of Melchizedek.


I experienced it as a believers baptism that way but had my doubts in the idea of what some call "sign gifts". We walk by faith not after the things seen (no faith) All die not receiving the promise of our new incorruptible bodies as new creatures. You could say our living hope that moves us forward

It is a public demonstration for all to see but not as evidence of a conversion .More of evidence of a "new desire" to be a called out member of the priesthood of believers.

Baptism again as a ceremonial law has it roots in the Old testament. There are new testament origins for ceremonial laws but Baptism is not one of them. They would be the breaking of bread mixed with the head covering ordinance together as one new ordinance. They are another means for showing the reformation had come .Men and woman on this side of the reformation can alike participate together in ceremonial laws .Which of course include the priesthood of believers sending us out as Kingdom of priest as Ambassadors for Christ us two by two , men woman Jew and j gentile alike out with the gospel in a living abiding hope our high priest after the new order will apply it to there hearts