Baptism: Is immersion the correct mode for it?

Immersion, sprinkling [aspersion], and pouring [effusion] are all popular modes of water baptism.  All these people who practice one of them will use their Bible to justify the way they do it. Can they all be right? Of course not! So, shouldn’t I also use my Bible to present my own views about this? As with any subject, we all need to do our own investigation into things to determine what we’ll choose to believe. I hope you find this article to be helpful in your search for the truth regarding water baptism.

When I was seven years old a neighborhood friend invited me to go to his church with him.  Little did I know at the time how that would affect my whole life and ultimately that of many others in ways I never imagined. His church wasn’t far away so we rode our bikes to get there.  Although I don’t recall the many events that followed, it was there in that church that I was first exposed to the Bible and the things therein including water baptism.  It was in that church that I was baptized by immersion.  Then when I was nineteen, I was baptized again by immersion in another church foolishly thinking I needed it done again because by that time I had a better but imperfect understanding concerning what baptism was all about.

Probably the top three verses the immersionists read to justify their beliefs are these—

1—Matthew 3:16

¹⁶ And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway OUT OF the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: [Emphasis added]

2—Acts 8:38-39

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.

³⁹ And when they were COME UP OUT OF the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing. [Emphasis added]

3—Romans 6:3-4

³ Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?

⁴ Therefore we are BURIED with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was RAISED UP from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. [Emphasis added]

I have no trouble at all seeing why there are people who believe these verses settle the matter about the mode of baptism being discussed.  The controversy people have stirred up over this subject is extensive. Families and even marriages have been divided over this.  Furthermore, both the creation of church denominations and the naming of churches have been affected by this. But, as we should all know, the thing that’s most important about this is what the Bible actually teaches about it.  But it is interesting how all these people involved in the controversy can find Scripture THEY believe justifies their beliefs. There are also many who won’t even question it because so many have never really studied their Bible to see what it says about this and a lot of other things.  So many just go with their parents’ beliefs or others they’ve come to trust over such matters. Regarding the power of “traditional beliefs” I have an article and a video on this website that I hope you’ll review in your study of baptism.  Here are the links to them—

Baptism: Which one is pertinent to us today?

#257-EP57 ~ Which baptism is ours today?

What amount of serious studying have YOU already done to determine your own beliefs about baptism? I’ve found that most churchgoers, if they’ve done any studying at all, have only read their own denomination’s literature about it.  I hope this article will be of great help to you concerning all this. As with everything I put on this website, we WILL go to our Bible alone for our answers.

Probably the best way to analyze these three passages is to divide them into two groups.  Matthew 3:16 and Acts 8:38-39 are quite clearly speaking of water baptism.  However, the Romans 6:3-4 passage is not.

We need to look at another passage written long before any of those passages were written, one that prophesied about this ritual of water baptism—

Ezekiel 36:25

²⁵ Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you. [Emphasis added]

It looks to me like the mode of baptism that was used centuries before these other statements about it was sprinkling.  Don’t we need to apply what is called “the law of first mention” to this like we would any other subject? Doesn’t this passage tell us a lot about the mode that was first used, and shouldn’t that be important to us? The law of first mention says that to understand a particular word or doctrine, we must find the first place in Scripture that word or doctrine is mentioned.

Long before any part of what we speak of as the “New Testament” was written, the Holy Spirit had already set a precedent in His book as to the mode of Israel’s baptism of repentance for the remission of sins. Let’s look at what He says—

Again, Ezekiel 36:25

²⁵ Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you. [Emphasis added]

Should there be any question about the mode of baptism mentioned here? I mention this again because I know how difficult it can be for people to replace long-held traditional beliefs.  I had to deal with this myself concerning water baptism and MANY other things. I was first baptized by immersion in a Baptist church in Homestead, Florida over a half century ago when I was very young.  Many years later I presented myself again for it because I knew I had not understood anything about it the first time.  But even on the second round, I know now that I still didn’t understand much about it.  Not until many years later did I do any serious studying concerning it. So, if you’re having trouble believing all this that you’ll read in this article, I understand completely! I even have an article about this kind of thing on this website—

Spiritual Growth: What are three of the hardest words to utter?

Please note again that the Ezekiel 36:25 verse says He will “sprinkle” clean water on them.  Nothing is said about immersion or pouring. ONLY sprinkling!  We’re not in a position to change what the Scripture says to somehow make it conform to our beliefs.  The mode God used with Israel was sprinkling. There was never a time when there was any immersing or pouring, just sprinkling.  Around six centuries elapsed from the time Ezekiel lived and wrote to the time of the first century.  In all that time it was sprinkling that was the mode God prescribed, and Israelites practiced.

The first comments we see about water baptism in the “New Testament” were in the days of the man called John the Baptist, meaning literally John the baptizer.

John 3:22-23

²² After these things came Jesus and his disciples into the land of Judaea; and there he tarried with them, and baptized [BAPTIZO = to identify with (in this case water)].

²³ And John also was baptizing in Aenon near to Salim, because there was MUCH WATER there: and they came, and were baptized. [Emphasis added]

John the Baptist came to the people of Israel seeking their repentance, wanting them to have a change of mind [repent] and become obedient to God and to be forgiven of their sins. Bear in mind that this happened in a time before Christ was crucified to pay the penalty for our sins. Later we read this about it—

Acts 5:29-33

²⁹ Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.

³⁰ The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree.

Regardless of how Israel had treated the Savior God sent them, notice the grace God extended to them, providing forgiveness through Him.

³¹ Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance [METANOIA = a change of mind] TO ISRAEL, and FORGIVENESS of sins.

³² And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him.

³³ When they heard that, they were cut to the heart, and took counsel to slay them. [Emphasis added]

For more information about the forgiveness God has provided for us today through Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection, please see my articles about it.  Here are links to six of them—

Forgiveness: Are the sins of everyone forgiven?

Forgiveness: How complete is it?

Forgiveness: What about it in the time of The Tribulation?

Forgiveness: What is the “gotcha” passage?

Forgiveness: What should we conclude about it from Scripture?

Forgiveness: WHEN does it get provided?

Initially it was thought that forgiveness was only being extended to Israel, but later it was revealed and soon became known that it was not limited to them. It was also being offered to the Gentiles.

Even at the time described in Acts 5:31 what Christ had accomplished for all mankind was still not known even as it’s not by many today.  It would ultimately be through the apostle Paul that this information and a lot more would be provided for all.

2 Corinthians 5:19

¹⁹ To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the WORLD unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word [or message] of reconciliation. [Emphasis added]

John 1:29

²⁹ The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the WORLD. [Emphasis added]

There are many preachers today who don’t believe that Christ did His work to provide a way of salvation for the whole world of mankind.  They believe He only did this for, as they put it, the elect, those who choose to believe.  For more information about that, please see my other articles about it.  Here are the links to some of them—

Calvinism: Does God love all mankind?

Bible: What’s the true meaning of John 3:16?

God: Does He love everyone?

John makes it clear here and elsewhere that Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection was done to make a way for anyone to be saved.

I John 2:2

² And he is the propitiation [HILOSKOMAI = appeasement] for our sins: and NOT for ours only, but also for the sins of the WHOLE world. [Emphasis added]

It would be through the apostle Paul that what Christ accomplished for all mankind would be more fully and clearly provided. Here are some examples of that—

Romans 5:11

¹¹ And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement. [Emphasis added]

1 Timothy 2:5-6

⁵ For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;

⁶ Who gave himself a ransom FOR ALL, to be testified in due time. [Emphasis added]

2 Corinthians 5:18-21

¹⁸ And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;

Then, again, we have this verse that makes what Christ accomplished so clear.

¹⁹ To wit [that is to say], that God was in Christ, reconciling THE WORLD unto himself, NOT imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.

²⁰ Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, BE ye reconciled to God.

²¹ For he [God the Father] hath made him [God the Son] to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we MIGHT be made the righteousness of God in him. [Emphasis added]

This provision was made for all people so that anyone could be saved. For more information about this work of reconciliation, please see my article about it—

Reconciliation: What does it mean to BE reconciled?

Therefore, water baptism by sprinkling was the order for all who responded to the gospel of the kingdom. But it is important that people know that Peter and Paul’s commission and message are not the same.

Commission: Which one is ours?

As long as a person doesn’t understand that Peter’s gospel and Paul’s are not the same, they’ll probably never believe water baptism in any form that could be practiced has been completely set aside.  If you have questions about the teaching that Peter and Paul also presented different gospel messages, please go to my articles about it.  There you’ll find what everyone needs to know about this.  Here are the links to some articles about all this—

Peter & Paul: Did they proclaim the same message?

Gospel: Where did the apostle Paul get the one he preached?

Gospel: Is OUR gospel in “the four gospels?”

Gospel: Is ours in the gospels? II

In this last section of this article, I wish to show what has proved to be somewhat misleading to people in two of these passages I’ve mentioned about the subject of this article—

Matthew 3:16

¹⁶ And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway OUT OF the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: [Emphasis added]

Acts 8:38-39

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.

³⁹ And when they were COME UP OUT of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing. [Emphasis added]

I would agree completely that on the surface these verses may appear to be clear documentation for baptism by immersion.  But if we accept what is stated in the Ezekiel 36:25 verse, we know otherwise.  Historically Israel baptized by sprinkling, not emersion or in any other way.

So, if their baptism was not by immersion, why the language of “he…went up straightway out of the water” and “they went down both into the water… And when they were come up out of the water…?” Remember, when John the Baptist water baptized people, he did it in the Jordan River. “Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him” Of course a river that is situated in a valley is at a lower elevation than the surrounding land.

Matthew 3:13

¹³ Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him. [Emphasis added]

This means that John and those he baptized had to go down into the riverbed to get baptized.  They then had to come up out of the riverbed to leave the area.

Then we have a similar situation regarding the baptism of the Ethiopian eunuch that occurs later—

Acts 8:35-39

³⁵ Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus.

³⁶ And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?

³⁷ And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.

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.

³⁹ And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing. [Emphasis added]

First, please notice what he had to believe to be saved. It was the identity, the name of Jesus as the Christ that he had to believe. The gospel message about the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ had still not been given. Instead, people had to believe in the name, that is, the IDENTITY of Jesus as the prophesied Messiah to be saved.  Here’s the link to my article about this—

Jesus Christ: What does it mean to believe on His name?

Whatever this “certain water” was [verse 36], this was obviously a water baptism in the Jordan River.  Both the Ethiopian eunuch and Philip had to climb down into the body of water. They then stood there as Philip sprinkled water onto the eunuch.  When they were finished, they waded to the river bank to come up out of the body of water. If we insist this is baptism by immersion, we have a major problem.  It then says they BOTH WENT DOWN UNDER the water.  Note carefully what it says—

Again, Acts 8:38b-39

^38b…and they went down BOTH into the water, BOTH Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.

³⁹ And when THEY were come up OUT OF the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing. [Emphasis added]

So, were they BOTH baptized? Did they BOTH come up out of the water? Who baptized whom? This is exactly what’s stated if this passage is talking about immersion.

Now let’s look at the Romans passage.

Romans 6:3-4

³ Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?

⁴ Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

As I’ve often said, there’s not a drop of water to be found anywhere in Romans 6.  It is all about the baptism of the Holy Spirit who puts every believer into the Body of Christ the moment they are saved.

I Corinthians 12:13

¹³ For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. [Emphasis added]

It is only when a person believes our gospel for salvation that this occurs.

1 Corinthians 15:1-4

¹ Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you [here he’s distinguishing it from Peter’s gospel], which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;

² By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.

Here Paul is refuting the false teaching of those “religious” Jews who rejected his teaching.

³ For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ DIED for our sins according to the scriptures;

⁴ And that he was BURIED, and that he ROSE AGAIN the third day according to the scriptures: [Emphasis added]

It is faith alone in this message that provides everlasting salvation for people.  Water baptism has nothing to do with it! The Romans 6 passage is one of the most misunderstood in the whole Bible.  It is that passage that preachers and others use to talk about “following Jesus in baptism.” I’ve heard it many times as preachers would quote it when they were immersing someone in water. But, again, there’s not a drop of water discussed anywhere in Romans 6.  It proves to be an excellent example of what is called eisegesis [reading teachings INTO the Scriptures] instead of exegesis [drawing teachings FROM the Scriptures].

This Romans 6 passage speaks of a believer being baptized into or then identified with Christ’s death, not a pool of water.

Again, Romans 6:3-4

³ Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?

⁴ Therefore WE [as believers] are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk [speaking of how we’re to live] in newness of life. [Emphasis added]

For more information about baptism, please see my other articles about it—

Baptism: What are we to believe about it?

Baptism: What was its purpose?

Baptism: Why did Paul baptize so few?

Baptism: Which one is pertinent to us today?

If we are going to be Bible believers, we’re going to have to believe what our Bible says regardless of the popular traditional practices we see.  There is no being “baptized in the name of Christ” and being baptized “into water as a picture of death to sin.” All that is false! We’re not placed in Christ by being placed in a pool of water.  Being put “in Christ” occurs as a work of the Holy Spirit the moment a person accepts Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection as the sole basis for their salvation. Romans 6:3 says we are placed into Christ’s death, not water! Jesus died roughly 2,000 years ago, but we can still be placed into His death because the verse says we can.

Again, I Corinthians 12:13

¹³ For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. [Emphasis added]

The believer is then made one with Christ’s death.  To God, when Jesus died, that new believer died.  When Jesus was resurrected, that new believer is raised. We are completely identified [baptized] with Him. It is this that is the “one” baptism we have today. It is so clear as Paul states it.

Ephesians 4:5

⁵ One Lord, one faith, ONE baptism, [Emphasis added]

Romans 6 is followed with Romans 7 and 8 that tell us more of how the Christian life is to then be conducted.  Sin no longer has us enslaved.  We are free to serve our God who saved us.  Every day we’re free to make decisions that reflect our relationship with Him and even ones that don’t.  But there’s nothing at all in Romans that tells us we’re to submit to ANY form of water baptism.  People who claim otherwise are mindlessly repeating whatever their church tradition teaches.

Conclusion—

Therefore, what are we to believe about water baptism of any form? Is it even necessary for some form of it to be practiced today? While the apostle Paul did some baptizing in the early part of his ministry, that was not the case soon afterward.

1 Corinthians 1:12-18

¹² Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ.

¹³ Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul?

¹⁴ I thank God that I baptized none of you, but Crispus and Gaius;

¹⁵ Lest any should say that I had baptized in mine own name.

¹⁶ And I baptized also the household of Stephanas: besides, I know not whether I baptized any other.

Then Paul tells us why he has such an attitude about water baptism.

¹⁷ For Christ SENT me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect.

Here he’s telling us that water baptism is not part of our commission today. The so-called “Great Commission” of Matthew 28 and Mark 16 was not addressed to us. We’ve been given another, a different commission that doesn’t include water baptism—1 Corinthians 1:17.

¹⁸ For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. [Emphasis added]

So, when was the last time you heard a preacher today say that water baptism is not a part of his commission? Unfortunately, it doesn’t happen often.  Most preachers claim that it is.  But what are they to do with what Paul says about there being only ONE baptism today?

Ephesians 4:4-6

⁴ There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;

⁵ One Lord, one faith, ONE baptism,

⁶ One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. [Emphasis added]

Which baptism then is Paul talking about? Is it any form of WATER baptism at all.  No, it is not! He’s talking about the baptism OF the Holy Spirit that puts every believe in union with Christ at the point of their salvation.

Again, I Corinthians 12:13

¹³ For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. [Emphasis added]

Therefore, what you choose to believe about the form of water baptism discussed in the “four gospels” or anywhere else is not all that important. Personally, I’m glad to say that after over a half century of ministry I’ve never baptized anyone and never will.  Instead, I’ll stand with God’s teaching on this through His apostle Paul, realizing that his teaching on this is the teaching of Christ for us today. For Paul is God’s spokesman to us today. It is not Peter or anyone else.

Romans 11:13

¹³ For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I [Paul] am THE apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify MINE office: [Emphasis added]

For more information about Paul’s role in our lives today, please see my articles about this—

Paul: Do we make too much of him?

Paul: Who exactly is this man to us?

Please just realize that whatever you choose to believe about this you’ll be in a minority.  I’ve found that there is no majority belief about it. I just hope you’ll let the Scriptures dictate your beliefs about this and other things, not some church’s tradition.