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The next passage states John the Baptist looked for "much water." If John was sprinkling then why the need for "much water?"
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And John also was baptizing in Aenon near Salim, because there was much water there; and they were coming and were being baptized. (NASB) John 3:23 |
Maybe the most revealing passage is the time Philip baptized the Ethiopian eunuch, a court official of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians (Acts 8:26-38). After the eunuch believed, he was baptized.
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And he ordered the chariot to stop; and they both went down into the water, Philip as well as the eunuch; and he baptized him. (NASB) Acts 8:38 |
Baptism is immersion into water. It should also be done in the name of "the Father, Son and Holy Spirit."
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. . . baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, (NASB) Matt. 28:19 |
Conclusion:Baptism is not necessary for salvation. But we are commanded to be baptized. It is act of obedience and a public demonstration of a person's decision to follow Jesus. Consequently, I believe a person should share how they came to know Jesus and share the change in their life prior to being baptized - immersed into water. When they come out, it is a statement that they have died to themselves and their sin and are depending on Jesus. I do not believe in private baptisms. That is contrary to a public demonstration of a person's change of heart and life.
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. . . having been buried with Him in baptism, in which you were also raised up with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead. (NASB) Col. 2:12 |
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