section 1
The word baptize is a transliteration, not a translation of the word batizo. The word baptize when it is translated in Scripture means "dipped" or "immersed". It is a literal word for a literal action, rather than just an enigmatic, ethereal, ceremonial, church ordinance. Believe it or not, there are various baptisms, different kinds of baptisms hebrews 6:2 mentioned in Scripture: Moses’ i corinthians 10:2 exodus 14:31 , John’s luke 20:4 mark 1:4 , Overwhelming Suffering mark 10:38-39 psalm 69:1-3, 9 , Blood revelation 19:13 , Purifications- both practical leviticus 11:32 and ceremonial numbers 8:7 , and of course the Baptism of Christ acts 19:5 .
of the doctrine of baptisms, of laying on of hands, of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.
And when the Israelites saw the mighty hand of the LORD displayed against the Egyptians, the people feared the LORD and put their trust in Him and in Moses His servant.
And so John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.
"You don’t know what you are asking," Jesus said. "Can you drink the cup I drink or be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with?"
"We can," they answered.
Jesus said to them, "You will drink the cup I drink and be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with...
Save me, O God, for the waters have come up to my neck. I sink in the miry depths, where there is no foothold. I have come into the deep waters; the floods engulf me. I am worn out calling for help; my throat is parched. My eyes fail, looking for my God.
for zeal for your house consumes me, and the insults of those who insult you fall on me.
When one of them dies and falls on something, that article, whatever its use, will be unclean, whether it is made of wood, cloth, hide or sackcloth. Put it in water; it will be unclean till evening, and then it will be clean.
To purify them, do this: Sprinkle the water of cleansing on them; then have them shave their whole bodies and wash their clothes. And so they will purify themselves.
section 2
So let us look at the Biblical tapestry of this ordinance of baptism so we can hopefully begin to understand not only what we have participated in, but more importantly what we are currently participating in. Everything for the worship of the Lord was consecrated {to make sacred} numbers 7:1 : utensils, places, furniture, priests, etc. leviticus 16:4 ; all were set apart from common use to only use for God exodus 40:9-15 , being regularly rewashed (baptized) in water ii chronicles 4:6 . So, is it an appropriate picture for us to be cleansed in water, so to speak, as we take on Christ as our priestly robe romans 13:14 ?
We see that there was a literal "water of cleansing" numbers 8:7, 19:6, 9 made through sacrifice that includes wood galatians 3:13 colossians 2:13-14 , hyssop psalm 51:7 , and scarlet wool joshua 2:18-21 matthew 27:28 . It was used in various ways but all for making the common sacred, set apart to God. One defiled by death had to be washed in the "water of washing" to be set apart numbers 19:16-17, 20 , interestingly enough on the THIRD day luke 24:45-47 of the process and the SEVENTH day to complete it numbers 19:19 philippians 1:6 .
When Moses finished setting up the tabernacle, he anointed and consecrated it and all its furnishings. He also anointed and consecrated the altar and all its utensils.
He is to put on the sacred linen tunic, with linen undergarments next to his body; he is to tie the linen sash around him and put on the linen turban. These are sacred garments; so he must bathe himself with water before he puts them on.
my notes:
Take the anointing oil and anoint the tabernacle and everything in it; consecrate it and all its furnishings, and it will be holy. Then anoint the altar of burnt offering and all its utensils; consecrate the altar, and it will be most holy. Anoint the basin and its stand and consecrate them. "Bring Aaron and his sons to the entrance to the tent of meeting and wash them with water. Then dress Aaron in the sacred garments, anoint him and consecrate him so he may serve me as priest. Bring his sons and dress them in tunics. Anoint them just as you anointed their father, so they may serve me as priests. Their anointing will be to a priesthood that will continue throughout their generations.
He then made ten basins for washing and placed five on the south side and five on the north. In them the things to be used for the burnt offerings were rinsed, but the Sea was to be used by the priests for washing.
Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh.
To purify them, do this: Sprinkle the water of cleansing on them; then have them shave their whole bodies and wash their clothes. And so they will purify themselves.
The priest is to take some cedar wood, hyssop and scarlet wool and throw them onto the burning heifer.
A man who is clean shall gather up the ashes of the heifer and put them in a ceremonially clean place outside the camp. They are to be kept by the Israelite community for use in the water of cleansing; it is for purification from sin.
Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, because it is written, Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree.
When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; He has taken it away, nailing it to the cross.
Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.
unless, when we come into the land, you tie this cord of scarlet thread in the window through which you let us down, and gather to yourself into the house your father and your mother and your brothers and all your father’s household. "It shall come about that anyone who goes out of the doors of your house into the street, his blood shall be on his own head, and we shall be free; but anyone who is with you in the house, his blood shall be on our head if a hand is laid on him. But if you tell this business of ours, then we shall be free from the oath which you have made us swear."
She said, "According to your words, so be it." So she sent them away, and they departed; and she tied the scarlet cord in the window.
my notes:
Anyone out in the open who touches someone who has been killed with a sword or someone who has died a natural death, or anyone who touches a human bone or a grave, will be unclean for seven days. For the unclean person, put some ashes from the burned purification offering into a jar and pour fresh water over them.
But if those who are unclean do not purify themselves, they must be cut off from the community, because they have defiled the sanctuary of the LORD. The water of cleansing has not been sprinkled on them, and they are unclean.
Then He opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. He told them, "This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.
The man who is clean is to sprinkle those who are unclean on the third and seventh days, and on the seventh day he is to purify them. Those who are being cleansed must wash their clothes and bathe with water, and that evening they will be clean.
being confident of this, that He Who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
my notes:
section 3
The things that could withstand the fire were to be "baptized" in fire, while the things that could not were to be washed in the water numbers 31:22-23 . Which again is a meaningful picture for us as when we come to the Lord we are gently washed in the water of the Word i corinthians 6:11 ephesians 5:26 and especially Christ’s blood hebrews 9:14 i peter 1:2 , but as we go forth our Lord refines our faith isaiah 48:10 zechariah 13:9 so that having been tested again and again i peter 1:6-7 we can withstand the refining fires of life i peter 4:12, 17-19 mark 9:49 hebrews 12:7-11 and not suffer any loss when everything other than righteousness is burned up i corinthians 3:15 ii peter 3:10-13 . So, we are bathed and refined to be pure worshippers of the Lord malachi 3:2-4 .
Gold, silver, bronze, iron, tin, lead and anything else that can withstand fire must be put through the fire, and then it will be clean. But it must also be purified with the water of cleansing. And whatever cannot withstand fire must be put through that water.
And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.
that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the Word...
my notes:
How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, Who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God!
according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, by the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to obey Jesus Christ and be sprinkled with His blood: May grace and peace be yours in the fullest measure.
See, I have refined you, though not as silver; I have tested you in the furnace of affliction.
This third I will put into the fire; I will refine them like silver and test them like gold. They will call on My name and I will answer them; I will say, ‘They are My people,’ and they will say, ‘The LORD is our God.’ "
In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.
my notes:
Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.
For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the Gospel of God? And "If the righteous is scarcely saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?" Therefore let those who suffer according to God’s will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good.
Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as His children. For what children are not disciplined by their father? If you are not disciplined—and everyone undergoes discipline—then you are not legitimate, not true sons and daughters at all. Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of spirits and live! They disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share in His holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.
my notes:
If it is burned up, the builder will suffer loss but yet will be saved—even though only as one escaping through the flames.
But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare. Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. But in keeping with His promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells.
But who can endure the day of His coming? Who can stand when He appears? For He will be like a refiner’s fire or a launderer’s soap. He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver; He will purify the Levites and refine them like gold and silver. Then the LORD will have men who will bring offerings in righteousness, and the offerings of Judah and Jerusalem will be acceptable to the LORD, as in days gone by, as in former years.
my notes:
section 4
Thus, we come to the distinctions of baptism. We again see the tapestry of a beautiful picture of our Lord’s dealings with us and our response. We see literal water baptism is a responsiveness of coming to agreement with God amos 3:3 john 3:33 on our part, but the powerful, meaningful, truly substantial baptism is not one of water and outward cleansing jeremiah 2:22 i peter 3:21 , but of the Holy Spirit and the fire He brings to genuinely change our whole nature matthew 3:11 . So, yes, water baptism is a beautiful picture of Christ’s work in us, harkening to the sacredness of serving God, but it is Christ’s work in us that matters far more than a ceremony which is only a shadow of the spiritual reality colossians 2:16-17 acts 18:24-19:6 . So, among the various baptisms, for us, there is a baptism of water, and there is a baptism of fire…the Holy Spirit. This distinction is essential for understanding most of the New Testament references to baptism as being far deeper than just an initiation ceremony.
Although you wash yourself with soap and use an abundance of cleansing powder, the stain of your guilt is still before Me," declares the Sovereign LORD.
And that water is a picture of baptism, which now saves you, not by removing dirt from your body, but as a response to God from a clean conscience. It is effective because of the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me comes One Who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.
Therefore let no one judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a feast, a New Moon, or a Sabbath. These are a shadow of the things to come, but the body that casts it belongs to Christ.
Meanwhile a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, came to Ephesus. He was a learned man, with a thorough knowledge of the Scriptures. He had been instructed in the way of the Lord, and he spoke with great fervor and taught about Jesus accurately, though he knew only the baptism of John. He began to speak boldly in the synagogue. When Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they invited him to their home and explained to him the way of God more adequately. When Apollos wanted to go to Achaia, the brothers and sisters encouraged him and wrote to the disciples there to welcome him. When he arrived, he was a great help to those who by grace had believed. For he vigorously refuted his Jewish opponents in public debate, proving from the Scriptures that Jesus was the Messiah.
While Apollos was at Corinth, Paul took the road through the interior and arrived at Ephesus. There he found some disciples and asked them, "Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?" They answered, "No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit." So Paul asked, "Then what baptism did you receive?"
"John’s baptism," they replied.
Paul said, "John’s baptism was a baptism of repentance. He told the people to believe in the One coming after him, that is, in Jesus." On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. When Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied.
section 5
Pharisees were dutiful baptizers mark 7:4 , but Jesus pointed out that it was not the outside that needed cleaning but the inside that needed to be purified luke 11:38-39 matthew 23:26 . Christ was not demeaning outward ceremonies, but rather the detachment from the point of those ceremonies colossians 2:16-19 . But we often read baptize and its transliterations and have done the same. We think outward ceremony more than inward reality. When one is genuinely baptized…or to literally translate the idea of baptism…immersed…Baptized into Christ is to be immersed in Christ. Like a cloth being dyed, whatever color it was, when a cloth is immersed {baptized} into a dye, it takes on the dye’s color, its character revelation 19:13 . Baptism into Christ galatians 3:26-28 undoes what we were and infuses a new nature, character, into our heart ii corinthians 5:17, 21 i corinthians 15:53-54 i corinthians 12:13 , for as we remain immersed in Christ we soak up Jesus into the very fiber of our being, becoming more and more like Him as we remain in Him john 15:4 .
Similarly, they don’t eat anything from the market until they immerse their hands in water. This is but one of many traditions they have clung to—such as their ceremonial washing of cups, pitchers, and kettles.)
When the Pharisee saw it, he was surprised that He had not first ceremonially washed before the meal. But the Lord said to him, "Now you Pharisees clean the outside of the cup and of the platter; but inside of you, you are full of robbery and wickedness.
my notes:
Blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and dish, and then the outside also will be clean.
Therefore let no one judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a feast, a New Moon, or a Sabbath. These are a shadow of the things to come, but the body that casts it belongs to Christ. Do not let anyone who delights in false humility and the worship of angels disqualify you with speculation about what he has seen. Such a person is puffed up without basis by his unspiritual mind. He has lost connection to the head, from whom the whole body, supported and knit together by its joints and ligaments, grows as God causes it to grow.
for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
my notes:
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!
God made Him Who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.
For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality. When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: "Death has been swallowed up in victory."
For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink.
Remain in Me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in Me.
my notes:
section 6
So, we are immersed {baptized} IN Christ, which at least in part explains the repeated wording of Scripture of all the effects and benefits of being IN Jesus. As we are immersed into Him, taking on His nature by continuing in our relationship with Him we can finally live a godly life IN Him ii timothy 3:12 , as we are no longer condemned IN Him romans 8:1 because God forgave us as we are now immersed IN Jesus ephesians 4:32 .
We are alive to God IN Jesus romans 6:11 because we were made alive IN Him i corinthians 15:22 as God promised to do IN Him ii timothy 1:1 . We have been brought near to God IN Jesus ephesians 2:13 because IN Jesus we have been reconciled to God ii corinthians 5:19 and now are God’s children IN Christ galatians 3:26 . Thus, nothing can separate us from God’s love for us that are immersed IN Christ romans 8:39 . So, we are family together IN Jesus i corinthians 4:15 , having fellowship with one another IN Him romans 16:3 philemon 23 galatians 3:28 romans 12:5 because IN Him we are becoming more loving of each other i corinthians 16:24 .
This love for Jesus and each other is the Heavenly prize we have been called to IN Him philippians 3:14 i thessalonians 2:19-20 . We have been raised up and seated with Christ because we are IN Christ ephesians 2:6 , being that we are God’s workmanship to accomplish good as we are continually immersed IN Jesus ephesians 2:10 .
God’s desire for the whole of our life is to do good for others while being thankfully in communion with Him IN Jesus i thessalonians 5:14-18 so that we can glory in our cooperative service IN Him romans 15:17 galatians 6:4 .
We have all we need in a glorious, rich way as we remain immersed IN Christ philippians 4:19 . Peace is experienced IN Jesus i peter 5:14 ; joy IN Him philippians 1:26 . Grace, faith, love themselves are all possessed and experienced IN Jesus i timothy 1:14 ii timothy 2:1 . In fact every spiritual blessing is found IN Christ Jesus ephesians 1:3 .
This is why the only thing that matters in our responsiveness, our life, our decisions, our pursuits, our efforts, our all in all- is faith expressing itself in love because we are baptized…continually steeping…always soaking up…immersed…having a ongoing life together galatians 2:20 …IN Jesus Christ galatians 5:6 .
In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted,
Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, in keeping with the promise of life that is in Christ Jesus...
my notes:
But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ.
that God was reconciling the world to Himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And He has committed to us the message of reconciliation.
neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Even if you had ten thousand guardians in Christ, you do not have many fathers, for in Christ Jesus I became your father through the Gospel.
my notes:
There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.
I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
For what is our hope, our joy, or the crown in which we will glory in the presence of our Lord Jesus when He comes? Is it not you? Indeed, you are our glory and joy.
And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with Him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus...
For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
my notes:
And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all. See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone. Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
Pay careful attention to your own work, for then you will get the satisfaction of a job well done, and you won’t need to compare yourself to anyone else.
And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of His glory in Christ Jesus.
so that in me you may have ample cause to glory in Christ Jesus, because of my coming to you again.
my notes:
The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.
I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, Who loved me and gave Himself for me.
For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.
my notes:
Scripture quotations taken from one or more of the following versions as noted:
ESV = The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®) Copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. All rights reserved.
NIV = The Holy Bible, New International Version® NIV® Copyright © 1973 1978 1984 2011 by Biblica, Inc. TM Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
NLT = The Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
NASB = NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE(R), Copyright (C) 1960,1962,1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.
HCSB = Holman Christian Standard Bible®, Used by Permission HCSB ©1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 Holman Bible Publishers. Holman Christian Standard Bible®, Holman CSB®, and HCSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers.
NKJV = New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.