Water Baptism
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Definition and Significance
Water baptism is a Christian sacrament and ordinance that symbolizes the believer's faith in Jesus Christ, repentance from sin, and the believer's identification with the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ. It is an outward expression of an inward transformation and commitment to follow Jesus as Lord and Savior.

Biblical Foundation
The practice of water baptism is rooted in the New Testament and is commanded by Jesus Christ. In the Great Commission, Jesus instructed His disciples, "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit" (Matthew 28:19). This command establishes baptism as an essential practice for believers.

John the Baptist and Jesus' Baptism
John the Baptist, a forerunner to Christ, preached a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. Mark 1:4 states, "John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins." Jesus Himself was baptized by John, not for repentance, but to fulfill all righteousness and to set an example for His followers. Matthew 3:16 records, "As soon as Jesus was baptized, He went up out of the water. Suddenly the heavens were opened, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and resting on Him."

The Apostolic Practice
The early church continued the practice of water baptism as an integral part of the conversion process. On the day of Pentecost, Peter exhorted the crowd, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit" (Acts 2:38). This indicates that baptism was closely associated with repentance and the reception of the Holy Spirit.

Symbolism and Meaning
Water baptism symbolizes the believer's identification with Christ's death, burial, and resurrection. Romans 6:3-4 explains, "Or aren’t you aware that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? We were therefore buried with Him through baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may walk in newness of life." This passage highlights the transformative nature of baptism, signifying the believer's death to sin and new life in Christ.

Mode of Baptism
The mode of baptism, whether by immersion, pouring, or sprinkling, has been a topic of theological discussion. However, the New Testament examples, such as Jesus' baptism and the Ethiopian eunuch's baptism in Acts 8:38-39 , suggest immersion as the practiced mode, as they "went down into the water" and "came up out of the water."

Eligibility for Baptism
Baptism is reserved for those who have made a personal profession of faith in Jesus Christ. It is an act of obedience following conversion, as seen in the account of the Philippian jailer in Acts 16:31-33 , where he and his household were baptized after believing in the Lord Jesus.

Theological Implications
While water baptism is a significant act of obedience and public declaration of faith, it is not considered a means of salvation. Salvation is by grace through faith in Jesus Christ alone (Ephesians 2:8-9). Baptism is a response to salvation, not a prerequisite for it, serving as a testimony to the believer's faith and commitment to Christ.

Conclusion
Water baptism remains a vital practice within the Christian faith, symbolizing the believer's union with Christ and commitment to live a life transformed by His grace. It is a public declaration of faith and an essential step in the journey of discipleship.
Topical Bible Verses
Matthew 3:11
I indeed baptize you with water to repentance. but he that comes after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:
Topicalbible.org

Acts 8:38
And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.
Topicalbible.org

John 3:23
And John also was baptizing in Aenon near to Salim, because there was much water there: and they came, and were baptized.
Topicalbible.org

Acts 8:36-39
And as they went on their way, they came to a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what does hinder me to be baptized?
Topicalbible.org

Acts 22:16
And now why tarry you? arise, and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord.
Topicalbible.org

Greek
909. baptismos -- (the act of) a dipping or washing
... always in the plural in the NT); (figuratively) ceremonial washings (Mk 7:4; Heb
9:10) or the profound realities of spiritual and water baptism (Heb 6:2). See ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/909.htm - 7k

3067. loutron -- a washing, a bath
... Speech: Noun, Neuter Transliteration: loutron Phonetic Spelling: (loo-tron') Short
Definition: a bath, washing, baptism Definition: a bath (of water, not the ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3067.htm - 6k

Library

Differences in Judgment About Water Baptism, no Bar to Communion ...
... DIFFERENCES IN JUDGMENT ABOUT WATER BAPTISM, NO BAR TO COMMUNION: OR, TO
COMMUNICATE WITH SAINTS, AS SAINTS, PROVED LAWFUL. IN ANSWER ...
/.../the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/differences in judgment about water.htm

Q. What is the Meaning of Such a Water Baptism?
... I. The Ten Commandments: The Simple Way a Father Should Present Them to His
Household Q. What is the meaning of such a water Baptism? ...
/.../luther/luthers little instruction book/q what is the meaning.htm

Whether Immersion in Water is Necessary for Baptism?
... I answer that, In the sacrament of Baptism water is put to the use of a washing
of the body, whereby to signify the inward washing away of sins. ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether immersion in water is.htm

Whether Plain Water is Necessary for Baptism?
... OF THE SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM (TWELVE ARTICLES) Whether plain water is necessary
for Baptism? ... Therefore pure plain water is necessary for Baptism. ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether plain water is necessary.htm

Whether Water is the Proper Matter of Baptism?
... Objection 1: It seems that water is not the proper matter of Baptism. ... But in solemn
Baptism the water which is used for baptizing, is exorcized and blessed. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether water is the proper.htm

The Sacrament of Holy Baptism
... Because, without God's Word, the water is plain water and not baptism. ... This is a
faithful saying.". What is the meaning of such a water Baptism? ...
/.../luther/the small catechism of martin luther/iv the sacrament of holy.htm

The Ordinances of the New Testament.
... Unlearned as he was, he readily understood from the preaching of Philip the importance
of water baptism; therefore when they came to a certain water he said ...
//christianbookshelf.org/orr/the gospel day /chapter viii the ordinances of.htm

Whether Three Kinds of Baptism are Fittingly Described ---viz. ...
... OF THE SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM (TWELVE ARTICLES) Whether three kinds of Baptism are
fittingly described"-viz. Baptism of Water, of Blood, and of the Spirit? ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether three kinds of baptism.htm

Reply to the Suggested Objection that we are Baptized "Into Water. ...
... Furthermore, from this too may be apprehended the difference between the grace that
comes from the Spirit and the baptism by water: in that John indeed ...
/.../basil/basil letters and select works/chapter xv reply to the.htm

Commentaries and Standards on the Birth of Water and Spirit.
... This is grounded on the plain words of our Lord in John 3:5. By water, then, as
a means, the water of baptism, we are regenerated or born again; whence it is ...
/.../the new testament commentary vol iii john/commentaries and standards on the.htm

Resources
Did Jesus change the water into wine or grape juice? | GotQuestions.org

What was the meaning of Jesus walking on water? | GotQuestions.org

Do the news reports of rivers turning blood red have anything to do with the end times? | GotQuestions.org

Water: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Subtopics

Dowsing

Water

Water Baptism

Water in Times of Scarcity, Sold at an Enormous Price

Water of Bitterness or of Jealousy

Water of Hostile Armies

Water of Jealousy

Water of Persecutions

Water of Persecutors

Water of Separation

Water of Separation or of Uncleanness

Water of the Gifts and Graces of the Holy Spirit

Water of the Support of God

Water was Used by Jews for Culinary Purposes

Water was Used by Jews for Legal Purification

Water was Used by Jews for Washing the Person

Water was Used by Jews: As Their Principal Beverage

Water: (Covering the Sea) of the General Diffusion of The

Water: (Deep) of Counsel in the Heart

Water: (Deep) of Severe Affliction

Water: (Deep) of the Words of the Wise

Water: (Difficulty of Stopping) of Strife and Contention

Water: (Its Instability) of a Wavering Disposition

Water: (Its Weakness) of Faintness and Cowardice

Water: (Many) of a Variety of Afflictions

Water: (Many) of Different Nations and People

Water: (Noise of Many) of the Word of Christ

Water: (Poured Out) Faintness by Terror

Water: (Poured Out) the Wrath of God

Water: (Pouring, out of Buckets) a Numerous Progeny

Water: (Rapidly Flowing Away) the Career of the Wicked

Water: (Spilled on the Ground) Death

Water: (Still) the Ordinances of the Gospel

Water: Artificial Mode of Conveying, Into Large Cities

Water: Carried in Vessels

Water: Changed to Wine

Water: City Waterworks

Water: Cleansing

Water: Collected in Brooks

Water: Collected in Fountains

Water: Collected in Ponds

Water: Collected in Pools

Water: Collected in Rivers

Water: Collected in Springs

Water: Collected in Streams

Water: Collected in The Clouds

Water: Collected in The Sea

Water: Collected in Wells

Water: Congealed by Cold

Water: Covered the Whole Earth

Water: Creation of

Water: Daily Allowance of

Water: Domestic Love

Water: Drops from the Clouds in Rain

Water: Fluid

Water: Frequently Brackish and Unfit for Use

Water: God Originally: Collected Into One Place

Water: God Originally: Created Fowls and Fishes From

Water: God Originally: Created the Firmament to Divide

Water: Jesus Walks Upon

Water: Kept for Purification in Large Waterpots

Water: Libation of

Water: Miracles Connected With: Brought from the Jaw-Bone of an Ass

Water: Miracles Connected With: Brought from the Rock

Water: Miracles Connected With: Consumed by Fire from Heaven

Water: Miracles Connected With: Divided and Made to Stand on Heap

Water: Miracles Connected With: Healing Powers Communicated To

Water: Miracles Connected With: Iron Made to Swim In

Water: Miracles Connected With: Our Lord Walking On

Water: Miracles Connected With: Trenches Filled With

Water: Miracles Connected With: Turned Into Blood

Water: Miracles Connected With: Turned Into Wine

Water: Miraculously Supplied: To Jehoshaphat's Army

Water: Miraculously Supplied: To Samson

Water: Miraculously Supplied: To the Israelites

Water: Necessary to the Comfort and Happiness of Man

Water: Necessary to Vegetation

Water: One of the Elements of the World

Water: Penetrating

Water: Purified by Elisha

Water: Red Sea Divided

Water: Reflecting Images

Water: Refreshing

Water: Rises in Vapour to the Clouds

Water: some Plants Particularly Require

Water: Symbolical

Water: The Jordan River

Water: The Want of, Considered a Great Calamity

Water: The World and Its Inhabitants Once Destroyed By

Water: The World not to be Again Destroyed By

Water: Turned Into Blood

Water: Unstable

Water: Vision of, by Ezekiel

Water: Water of Affliction

Water: Water of Life

Water: Water of Salvation

Water: Wearing the Hardest Substances

Related Terms

Water-spring (16 Occurrences)

Water-vessel (14 Occurrences)

Water-springs (12 Occurrences)

Water-hole (25 Occurrences)

Water-courses (9 Occurrences)

Water-holes (8 Occurrences)

Water-plants (7 Occurrences)

Water-gate (5 Occurrences)

Water-brooks (6 Occurrences)

Water-doorway (4 Occurrences)

Water-streams (4 Occurrences)

Drinking-water (4 Occurrences)

Water-vessels (2 Occurrences)

Water-jugs (2 Occurrences)

Water-town (2 Occurrences)

Water-hen (2 Occurrences)

Water-jug (1 Occurrence)

Water-pipe (1 Occurrence)

Water-door (1 Occurrence)

Water-spouts (1 Occurrence)

Water-flood (1 Occurrence)

Water-skins (1 Occurrence)

Water-pot (1 Occurrence)

Water's (2 Occurrences)

Water-skin (1 Occurrence)

Snow-water (1 Occurrence)

Sail (32 Occurrences)

Springing (16 Occurrences)

Springs (59 Occurrences)

Ablution

Cleansing (37 Occurrences)

Snow (25 Occurrences)

Streaming (16 Occurrences)

Shepherd (76 Occurrences)

Causeth (209 Occurrences)

Swell (9 Occurrences)

Knee-deep (1 Occurrence)

Compacted (3 Occurrences)

Soak (1 Occurrence)

Shoal (2 Occurrences)

Swim (8 Occurrences)

Sooner (21 Occurrences)

Storing (10 Occurrences)

Swamp (1 Occurrence)

Shiloah (1 Occurrence)

Valleys (38 Occurrences)

Siloah (1 Occurrence)

Shelah (18 Occurrences)

Aqueduct (4 Occurrences)

Siloam (4 Occurrences)

Separation (50 Occurrences)

Streams (80 Occurrences)

Kneel (10 Occurrences)

Sprinkling (48 Occurrences)

Crystal (7 Occurrences)

Agitated (9 Occurrences)

Stank (6 Occurrences)

Shihor (5 Occurrences)

Sink (16 Occurrences)

Soap (4 Occurrences)

Sluice

Shrink (10 Occurrences)

Scant (4 Occurrences)

Adultery (49 Occurrences)

Hyssop (12 Occurrences)

Augury (5 Occurrences)

Cistern (21 Occurrences)

Arabah (32 Occurrences)

Sprinkle (37 Occurrences)

Camest (27 Occurrences)

Salim (1 Occurrence)

Siddim (3 Occurrences)

Adullam (10 Occurrences)

Slope (29 Occurrences)

Camped (100 Occurrences)

Ceremonially (38 Occurrences)

Vast (54 Occurrences)

Yields (21 Occurrences)

Water as a Symbol of Spiritual Cleansing
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