MAYSVILLE CHURCH OF CHRIST COLUMN
QUESTION: Mr. Whitlock, I am confused on the subject of baptism. I know that one must be baptized in order to be saved (Mark 16:16). I want to know is baptism done by pouring water, sprinkling water, or being immersed in water?
ANSWER: Let your fingers do the walkin’ and let the Bible do the talkin’. New Testament baptism is done with water (Acts 10:47); much water (John 3:23); going down into the water (Acts 8:36-38); coming up out of the water (Acts 8:39); and it is pictured as a burial and resurrection (Rom. 6:4). Neither sprinkling nor pouring will fill that bill!
There is a Greek word for “sprinkle” and that word is rantizo. There is a Greek word for “pour” and that word is cheo. The Greek word for “immerse” is baptizo. It is used 117 times in the New Testament, and is never rendered as “pour” or “sprinkle” because the inspired writers had Greek words available to them to indicate such a meaning. Scriptural baptism is always a burial, immersion, inundation in the water.
How did sprinkling and/ or pouring replace Scriptural baptism? The first recorded departure took place in 251 A.D. A man by the name of Novation was seized with a serious disease and friends sprinkled him with water in his bed. It became known as “clinical” baptism, and was practiced on sick people. This was rejected by those who knew the Scriptures. (Historical Commentaries, Mosheim, Vol. 1, p. 62).
In 1311 A.D. the Catholic Legislature held a council in Ravenna. It was declared that immersion or sprinkling could both be accepted. There was no authority from the Bible for their decision.
Martin Luther said, “Baptism is a Greek word, and may be translated immerse. I would have those who are to be baptized to be dipped.” John Calvin said, “The word baptize signifies to immerse. It is certain that immersion was the practice of the primitive church.”
In England, a controversy arose concerning the proper baptismal procedure. Parliament called the Westminster Assembly to decide the matter. When the vote was taken, 24 ballots were cast for sprinkling and 24 ballots were cast for immersion. Dr. Lightfoot, Chairman of the Assembly had to cast the deciding vote, and he voted for sprinkling! From that time forth that form of unscriptural baptism became the practice for the Church of England.
Jesus Christ stated, and all the demons of hell cannot change it: “He that believeth and is baptized {immersed – jlw} shall be saved, but he that believeth not shall be damned” (Mark 16:16). Ananias preached to Paul saying: “And now why tarriest thou, arise and be baptized {immersed – jlw} and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord” (Acts 22:16). The only question that remains is what you will do with the teaching of the Lord?
A cordial welcome awaits you at all the services of the Maysville church of Christ, meeting at the intersection of Main and Ash streets. We worship each Lord’s Day at 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. Bible classes are conducted at 10 a.m. each Sunday morning and on Wednesday evenings at 6 p.m. Bible questions are invited by mail (POB 562); by phone (405) 867-4807); or email: jessandterr@yahoo.com. We offer a free Bible correspondence course without obligation to you. Please come and be our guest this Lord’s Day.
