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Bible Question: Is baptism (immersion) essential for salvation?
Bible Answer: Extensive answers to your question have already been given in
response to three previous questions and answers. Let me add some new thoughts and speak to the idea
of immersion.
Greek meaning of baptism. The Greek word for "baptism" is BAPTIZO. This word is in ancient
literature to refer to "dipping," "to dip under," "to sink a ship,"
"to drown," and "to go under." Let me illustrate
from the Dead Sea Scrolls. The Qumran Text 4Q414 is a baptismal hymn.
The text
is in fragments but we can still understand
how the word was used in Jesus day. In it we read,
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Fragment #1:
" . . . for the Laws of Holiness . . . to be cleansed from the
pollution of . . . and after he enters the water . . .
Fragment #4:
. . . and washing in water.
Eisnman, Robert and Michael Wise. The Dead Sea Scrolls Uncovered.
Barnes & Noble, New York, 1992, pp. 232-233. |
Baptism in the New Testament. In the New Testament we have some passages about baptism that
are often overlooked. Here are a few,
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Now John himself had a garment of camel's hair, and a leather
belt about his waist; and his food was locusts and wild honey.
Then Jerusalem was going out to him, and all Judea, and all the
district around the Jordan; and they were being baptized by him
in the Jordan River, as they confessed their sins. (NASB) Matt.
3:4-6 |
Notice they were baptized in a river. If sprinkling of water is
all that was required for baptism, why use the Jordan River? Also
notice these folks were not baptized until they had confessed
their sins. The next important passage is,
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