the meaning of baptism

[Gideon300]

Well, their spiritual death was when they first sinned (Gen. 2:17), their spiritual resurrection was when they believed in Christ's atonement (Eph. 2:5), their physical death will be when they die physically, and their physical resurrection will be when they receive heavenly bodies (Rom. 8:23).

You've missed the point. Yes, we died spiritually in Adam and that was the state in which we were born. God has to remove the old, dead spirit in order to replace it with the new, live spirit. That's what it means to be born again. We are crucified with Christ. This is not symbolic. The spirit man is crucified. We do not physically die, obviously, neither does the soul die. The old, dead spirit dies. This, for the believer, is the second death. We are then raised to new life in Christ.

What do you do with the dead? You bury them. That is through baptism.

"Born once, die twice, born twice, die once" Martin Luther.

If we die with Christ in this life, then we are raised with Christ to new, eternal life. Those who reject Christ are subject to the second death. Death does not mean the end of existence. It is separation from God. The second death for the lost means eternal separation, a Christ-less eternity.

 

[arlev]

Christians are good at turning things into a ritual. It turns them into an outward observance instead of a meaningful experience.

Agreed.
"Remember me when you break bread and drink wine each day" has been turned into the 11 o'clock communion service on a Sunday!

 

[GWH]

You've missed the point. Yes, we died spiritually in Adam and that was the state in which we were born. God has to remove the old, dead spirit in order to replace it with the new, live spirit. That's what it means to be born again. We are crucified with Christ. This is not symbolic. The spirit man is crucified. We do not physically die, obviously, neither does the soul die. The old, dead spirit dies. This, for the believer, is the second death. We are then raised to new life in Christ.

What do you do with the dead? You bury them. That is through baptism.

"Born once, die twice, born twice, die once" Martin Luther.

If we die with Christ in this life, then we are raised with Christ to new, eternal life. Those who reject Christ are subject to the second death. Death does not mean the end of existence. It is separation from God. The second death for the lost means eternal separation, a Christ-less eternity.

Not sure that you saw my post #20, but after you said I missed your point, the rest of your posts agrees with what I meant:
we are not physically crucified but rather spiritually crucified. Water baptim symbolizes both.

 

[Gideon300]

Not sure that you saw my post #20, but after you said I missed your point, the rest of your posts agrees with what I meant:
we are not physically crucified but rather spiritually crucified. Water baptim symbolizes both.

Fair enough. I was on another track and missed your clarification.

 

[Gideon300]

Agreed.
"Remember me when you break bread and drink wine each day" has been turned into the 11 o'clock communion service on a Sunday!

Yes, it's meant to be a celebration of the victory of Christ over death and the new covenant. It's become a bit of a dirge in many meetings.

 

[Aaron56]

Why Jesus was Baptized by John

John was the son the priest Zechariah (a Levite). So, by the Law, he was able to be a priest. John also had taken the vow of the Nazarite. This was a strict code of obedience and behavior that demonstrated an additional level of dedication. He was, in effect, a super-priest (if you will).

Jesus was the Lamb of God. All sacrifices needed to be inspected by the priests before they were offered to God.
When Jesus told John to baptize Him “to fulfill all righteousness” He was talking about the ceremonial law of inspecting the sacrifice: the priest (John) must inspect the Lamb (Jesus). In the ceremonial Law, the sacrifices were washed and presented without spot or blemish. Jesus, a living sacrifice, was washed in this same way. John, accepting the sacrifice as worthy, washed Jesus in the water. By this, both men, John and Jesus, fulfilled the righteous requirement of the Law.

Also, this was the actual moment Jesus gave His life up for us. His Father (Our Father) confirmed this from heaven and declared “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” In the tradition of the time, the Father would take a son to meet his creditors. The father would introduce the son to the creditors and say "This is my son, in whom I am well-pleased". The father did this to show who would represent him in business from that point on. It was like declaring, "In all manner of my business this son represents me. When you see him you are doing business directly with me as he is now executor of my estate”. Jesus gave His whole life to the Father: although He had the ability to live His own life, He lived only in the way His Father (our Father) showed Him.

This example of grace extends to believers: we are called to be living sacrifices within the estate of God, our Father: not choosing our own way but only the way of the Father. When WE give up our lives to God, we can then be baptized in water and declare the death of our life in Adam. This is done as a witness to both men and angels. When we do this as a living sacrifice, God, our Father, raises us to life with the same Spirit with which He raised Christ from the dead. The order of these things is not important but the outcome is always the same: we are living sacrifices to God.

In Paul's first letter to the Corinthians he wrote this: "14I thank God that I baptized none of you except Crispus and Gaius, 15lest anyone should say that I had baptized in my own name. 16Yes, I also baptized the household of Stephanas. Besides, I do not know whether I baptized any other. 17For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of no effect."

It seems apparent to me that the gospel and water baptism are two distinct things. We should not conflate them.
Also, the writer of Hebrews wrote this...

"For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food. 13For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. 14But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil."

The next portion:

"Therefore, leaving the discussion of the elementary principles of Christ, let us go on to perfection, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, 2of the doctrine of baptisms, of laying on of hands, of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment."

Wrangling about baptisms is a sign of immaturity; an admission that you are still in need of the milk of the word and are unable to to handle solid food. It's certainly okay to need milk but not from a position of a teacher of the word.

 

[arlev]

It's become a bit of a dirge in many meetings.

We remember well enough that Someone's died.
We just forget that that same Someone was resurrected.

 

[ResidentAlien]

1 Corinthians 15:29 is an interesting verse about baptism: "Otherwise, what will they do who are baptized for the dead, if the dead do not rise at all? Why then are they baptized for the dead?"

People have debated over what Paul meant exactly. I admit I'm not sure exactly what it means; but it does seem to shine light on one thing. The context of the passage is whether or not the dead are raised:

"Now if Christ is preached that He has been raised from the dead, how do some among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ is not risen. And if Christ is not risen, then our preaching is empty and your faith is also empty. Yes, and we are found false witnesses of God, because we have testified of God that He raised up Christ, whom He did not raise up—if in fact the dead do not rise. For if the dead do not rise, then Christ is not risen. And if Christ is not risen, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins! Then also those who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men the most pitiable." 1 Corinthians 15:19

Then:

"Otherwise, what will they do who are baptized for the dead, if the dead do not rise at all? Why then are they baptized for the dead?" v. 29

Apparently the early Christians associated baptism with resurrection from the dead. Why didn't Paul say anything condemning the practice? Why didn't he rebuke them and tell them baptism has nothing to do with whether a person is resurrected or not? Some might argue that the verse is talking about spiritual rebirth and resurrection in baptism; but that's not what Paul's talking about. We see this clearly in v. 19: "If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men the most pitiable." He's talking about physical resurrection.

 

[tablet123]

To me, consenting to be baptized is like making a confession. We are confessing that we have (past tense) committed our lives to Christ. We got saved when we first made that confession, but then make public confession of the same. The baptism itself is a statement of what we've chosen to do, dying to our sinful life and yielding our members to righteousness through Christ.

It is both a confession and a dramatic presentation to the world of what we've chosen to do. The Church sacramentalized this confession by including it in services so that all Christians could be witness to the commitment.

Rom 6:3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?
Rom 6:4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
Rom 6:5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection.

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.

Baptism is to identify with Christ's death and if we do that we shall rise to newness of life with Him.

We have to identify with the man Christ Jesus which He died, was buried, and rose from the grave by repenting, dying to sin, being buried, water baptized, and rising to newness of life by receiving the Holy Spirit.

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.

We must be born of water and the Spirit.

1Pe 3:20 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.
1Pe 3:21 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 now save us.

If people believe baptism is for public confession and not part of the salvation plan of God then it does not count..

Mat 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.

Joh 5:43 I am come in my Father's name, and ye receive me not: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive.

Heb 1:4 Being made so much better than the angels, as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.

Joh 14:26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, are titles not names.

And the name is singular.

The name is Jesus.

Act 2:38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

Jews were baptized in the name of Jesus.

Act 8:15 Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost:
Act 8:16 (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.)
Act 8:17 Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.

Samaritans were baptized in the name of Jesus.

Act 19:3 And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism.
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.

Gentiles were baptized in the name of Jesus.

Col 3:17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.

Everything is done in Jesus' name.

 

[GWH]

Rom 6:3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?
Rom 6:4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
Rom 6:5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection.

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.

Baptism is to identify with Christ's death and if we do that we shall rise to newness of life with Him.

We have to identify with the man Christ Jesus which He died, was buried, and rose from the grave by repenting, dying to sin, being buried, water baptized, and rising to newness of life by receiving the Holy Spirit.

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.

We must be born of water and the Spirit.

1Pe 3:20 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.
1Pe 3:21 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 now save us.

If people believe baptism is for public confession and not part of the salvation plan of God then it does not count..

Mat 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.

Joh 5:43 I am come in my Father's name, and ye receive me not: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive.

Heb 1:4 Being made so much better than the angels, as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.

Joh 14:26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, are titles not names.

And the name is singular.

The name is Jesus.

Act 2:38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

Jews were baptized in the name of Jesus.

Act 8:15 Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost:
Act 8:16 (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.)
Act 8:17 Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.

Samaritans were baptized in the name of Jesus.

Act 19:3 And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism.
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.

Gentiles were baptized in the name of Jesus.

Col 3:17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.

Everything is done in Jesus' name.

Col. 2:12 should not be cited without including Col. 2:11, which indicates that WB--like PC--should be understood as signifying SB and SC (Rom. 2:25-29, 4:9-12).

 

[Roger316]

Paul's understanding of baptism can be found in Acts 19:1-5. Here, Paul meets with some of John's students (disciples), and he asks them, "Into what were you baptized?"

Here, Paul isn't asking about the medium john used. He is asking "into what teaching were you immersed? The key is that εἰς (“into”) is not about the substance of baptism but the sphere, allegiance, or teaching into which a person is placed. It’s the same preposition Paul uses for:

• being baptized into Christ (Romans 6:3)
• baptized into one body (1 Corinthians 12:13)
• baptized into Moses (1 Corinthians 10:2)

In every case, the point is identity and incorporation, not the physical medium.

So when Paul asks John’s disciples, “Into what were you baptized?”, he’s essentially asking: “What message, what covenantal reality, what teacher’s proclamation shaped your baptismal identity?”
He’s diagnosing their theological horizon, not their ritual experience.

I don't know whether baptism, as practiced today, conveys a person's desire to become a disciple of Christ Jesus. Does it?

 

[GWH]

Paul's understanding of baptism can be found in Acts 19:1-5. Here, Paul meets with some of John's students (disciples), and he asks them, "Into what were you baptized?"

Here, Paul isn't asking about the medium john used. He is asking "into what teaching were you immersed? The key is that εἰς (“into”) is not about the substance of baptism but the sphere, allegiance, or teaching into which a person is placed. It’s the same preposition Paul uses for:

• being baptized into Christ (Romans 6:3)
• baptized into one body (1 Corinthians 12:13)
• baptized into Moses (1 Corinthians 10:2)

In every case, the point is identity and incorporation, not the physical medium.

So when Paul asks John’s disciples, “Into what were you baptized?”, he’s essentially asking: “What message, what covenantal reality, what teacher’s proclamation shaped your baptismal identity?”
He’s diagnosing their theological horizon, not their ritual experience.

I don't know whether baptism, as practiced today, conveys a person's desire to become a disciple of Christ Jesus. Does it?

It does in denominations/churches that teach such, which has been part of the meaning of the adjective "evangelical".

 

[randyk]

I agree that water baptism (WB) is a public profession of saving faith and a symbolic portrayal of the death, burial and resurrection of Christ,
but viewing it as sacramental or salvific is wrong. RC "sacramentalized" it because they focused on Peter's statements in Acts and ignored Paul's teachings in his epistles that Spirit baptism (SB) of believers is what is essential.

Some of the issue here with me is semantical. When I use the word Sacrament, I'm not referring to "Sacramentalism" in the sense that the ritual obtains mystical or almost magical powers. God is certainly in the ritual, but not of necessity in it every time it is enacted.

Doing any ritual is no guarantee that God will bless it--we have to operate in all we do in faith, sincerity, love, and submission. Rituals can be very good, but they must come from a surrendered heart. Otherwise they are no better than the religious works of the Pharisees.

The word "sacrament" merely conveys an act and ritual that is done as part of regular Christian practice, stating things like a Rite of Passage or an Orthodox Confession--it does not have to be *necessary* practice. It only has to be vewed as "sacred," or inspired by faith, which connects Man to God.

As such, sacraments are, at the very least, good Christian practices. But at the other end they have become institutionalized in the Church, though not always with bad motives. There can be, however, humanistic corruption, ie using rituals for purposes of ceremonial mysticism and legalism.

 

[randyk]

We must be born of water and the Spirit.

The water of Baptism was purely symbolic and ritualistic. John the Baptist recognized that his diminishing ministry had to give way to a greater Spirit Baptism that Jesus also represented symbolically in Christian Baptism. But again, the "water" was symbolic of our needing to be born in the purity of the sanctified waters of heaven--not in the putrid waters of this world. We are to be born of the Spirit, which is critically important beyond being born of the flesh.

If you wish to emphasize Water Baptism over Spirit Baptism, it appears you want earthly rituals to dominate over spiritual change from heaven? Certainly, Jesus commissioned his Apostles to preach the Gospel, baptizing with water along the way. But never is the ritual made the central thing--it was to represent the far more important internal spiritual change that the Gospel brings.

Go ahead and Water Baptize. But keep in mind that it does not make the change. Water will not cleanse you spiritually. What changes you is what the ritual is representing--an identification with Christ in his death and resurrection. We certainly must agree on at least some of this?

 

[randyk]

Baptism does now save us.

If people believe baptism is for public confession and not part of the salvation plan of God then it does not count..

If you want to believe that the Apostolic commission to Baptize should be carried on throughout history to all ministries, or if you wish to think all Christians should at some point in their lives be Baptized, whether raised in the church or converted later in life, that's up to you. It never made sense for me, raised from birth in the church, to wait until adulthood to get Baptized. And I see no need for me to have been Baptized as an infant because I was not even conscious of doing wrong from which I had to repent!

But dedication services referred to as "Infant Baptism" I'm fine with. We should start raising children as Christians from the start, and not wait until later to have them "officially" dedicated to living Christian lives. Nor should we, I think, make older converts think they could "go to Hell" unless they quickly jump into a pool to get Baptized.

We all need to live by the faith God has given us. We'll be judged not by the opinions of others, but by God Himself. But I think you'll do best if you treat Baptism not as a necessary rite "to get Saved" but rather, as a public testimony of your intention when you 1st signed on to be a Christian.

 

[markss]

1 Corinthians 15:29 is an interesting verse about baptism: "Otherwise, what will they do who are baptized for the dead, if the dead do not rise at all? Why then are they baptized for the dead?"

People have debated over what Paul meant exactly. I admit I'm not sure exactly what it means; but it does seem to shine light on one thing. The context of the passage is whether or not the dead are raised:

"Now if Christ is preached that He has been raised from the dead, how do some among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ is not risen. And if Christ is not risen, then our preaching is empty and your faith is also empty. Yes, and we are found false witnesses of God, because we have testified of God that He raised up Christ, whom He did not raise up—if in fact the dead do not rise. For if the dead do not rise, then Christ is not risen. And if Christ is not risen, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins! Then also those who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men the most pitiable." 1 Corinthians 15:19

Then:

"Otherwise, what will they do who are baptized for the dead, if the dead do not rise at all? Why then are they baptized for the dead?" v. 29

Apparently the early Christians associated baptism with resurrection from the dead. Why didn't Paul say anything condemning the practice? Why didn't he rebuke them and tell them baptism has nothing to do with whether a person is resurrected or not? Some might argue that the verse is talking about spiritual rebirth and resurrection in baptism; but that's not what Paul's talking about. We see this clearly in v. 19: "If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men the most pitiable." He's talking about physical resurrection.

I think Paul is saying here that they shouldn't object to this idea of rising from the dead, considering they baptize for the dead. if the dead don't rise, then why would that do that?

Much love!

 

[homwardbound]

Baptism is a lot more than a public confession of faith. It's a spiritual act of obedience to the Lord and to the Holy Spirit.

I believe God Father in God Son as risen for me. Who reconciled us all to himself to give new life in Father's Spirit and Truth. To all that choose this willingly will see the truth of this truth eventually to all those that will not quit belief. as said in Col 1:21-23. So do you believe verses 21-22? Is it done for you by God Father through Son? Did Son do it or not. John 19:30 states he did do it once for us all with Hebrews 10

John the Baptist stated, "I" (water Baptism) must decrease. Jesus must increase. And we the people are mixing the two.
This, I see is like putting water and oil in a glass, sealing the top and shaking up the glass. When shaken up, it appears as the oil and water are mixed,
Until the glass is not being shaken up any longer and settles down, The oil and water separate.
Does anyone see what is happening in places of worship? people getting all excited and then once settled down that excitement leaves them. Then people have to go back and get more? When Father by Son for you all, has given you everything you need for life and godliness presently and forever, even in going through any adversities, to respond with thank you to Father, knowing it is best fro you to go through it to learn from it?
Can we not see how all things work together for the good? God loves us all y'all. otherwise would Son have gone to that cross willingly as he did that to begin with?, before resurrected by Father to given new life to you too right now, ask recieve and see, thank you.
He did that for us all to be reconciled first, forgiven as if never sinned Col 1:21-22
So turn over and trust Father to work it all out good and bad through you, and then you will just be new in truth and not have to try to not do it anymore, as you have been being taught in religions. You by Father will just do it. Father and Son getting. all the credit no one else anymore!
Ready set, stand in humility
Father doing the done work of Son now through you in love and mercy to all John 13:34

 

[GWH]

Some of the issue here with me is semantical. When I use the word Sacrament, I'm not referring to "Sacramentalism" in the sense that the ritual obtains mystical or almost magical powers. God is certainly in the ritual, but not of necessity in it every time it is enacted.

Doing any ritual is no guarantee that God will bless it--we have to operate in all we do in faith, sincerity, love, and submission. Rituals can be very good, but they must come from a surrendered heart. Otherwise they are no better than the religious works of the Pharisees.

The word "sacrament" merely conveys an act and ritual that is done as part of regular Christian practice, stating things like a Rite of Passage or an Orthodox Confession--it does not have to be *necessary* practice. It only has to be vewed as "sacred," or inspired by faith, which connects Man to God.

As such, sacraments are, at the very least, good Christian practices. But at the other end they have become institutionalized in the Church, though not always with bad motives. There can be, however, humanistic corruption, ie using rituals for purposes of ceremonial mysticism and legalism.

You give the Protestant understanding of sacrament, but according to the RC Catechism (#1131),
sacraments are "efficacious signs of grace, instituted by Christ and entrusted to the Church, by which divine life is dispensed to us".
They are visible, tangible signs—using water, oil, bread, wine, or gestures—that not only symbolize but actually produce the grace they represent."

As such they contradict NT teaching.

 

[Beekeeper]

1) Levitical priesthood baptism (Exodus 29:4; Numbers 8:7 AV). This washing was
The Second Requirement {The First being: "No blemish!" (Leviticus 21:21 AV) },in order to become a priest under the Law of Moses!

You may not be meaning to be controversial, but I attend a Baptist congregation and do not often hear the OT discussed in reference to baptism. I think you have a strong case however, because JB was a Levite who exclusively used the OT.
Somehow large numbers of Hebrews understood his teaching enough to come and get baptized.

Levitical Baptism Numbers 8:7
And thus shalt thou do unto them, to cleanse them: Sprinkle water of purifying upon them, and let them shave all their flesh, and let them wash their clothes, and so make themselves clean.

It must have provoked the establishment of the time to see the publicans and sinners doing this.
I also note that the mode is sprinkling, not the "full immersion" insisted on by many congregations.

 

[GWH]

You may not be meaning to be controversial, but I attend a Baptist congregation and do not often hear the OT discussed in reference to baptism. I think you have a strong case however, because JB was a Levite who exclusively used the OT.
Somehow large numbers of Hebrews understood his teaching enough to come and get baptized.

Levitical Baptism Numbers 8:7
And thus shalt thou do unto them, to cleanse them: Sprinkle water of purifying upon them, and let them shave all their flesh, and let them wash their clothes, and so make themselves clean.

It must have provoked the establishment of the time to see the publicans and sinners doing this.
I also note that the mode is sprinkling, not the "full immersion" insisted on by many congregations.

What was not discussed enough in my Baptist upbringing was:

1. why WB symbolizes SB, which is manifested by love rather than by tongues, and
2. why WB is unnecessary for salvation, although appropriate as a memorial and portrayal of being buried with Christ
(Rom. 6:4, Col. 2:12), and
3. why Mark 16:9-20 is problematic.