Definition and Origin
Baptising, derived from the Greek word "baptizo," meaning "to immerse" or "to dip," is a Christian sacrament of initiation and purification. It symbolizes the believer's identification with the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Baptism is a public declaration of faith and repentance, signifying the washing away of sins and the believer's new life in Christ.

Biblical Foundation
The practice of baptism is rooted in the New Testament and is closely associated with the ministry of John the Baptist, who baptized Jesus in the Jordan River. In Matthew 3:11 , John states, "I baptize you with water for repentance, but after me will come One more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire."

Jesus Himself was baptized, setting an example for His followers. In Matthew 3:16-17 , it is recorded, "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. And a voice from heaven said, 'This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.'"

The Great Commission
Baptism is integral to the Great Commission, where Jesus commands His disciples to make disciples of all nations. In Matthew 28:19-20 , Jesus instructs, "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, and teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."

Theological Significance
Baptism is a means of grace and a sign of the covenant between God and His people. It represents the believer's union with Christ in His death 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."

Modes and Practices
While immersion is the most common mode of baptism, some Christian traditions also practice pouring or sprinkling. The mode of baptism can vary based on theological interpretation and denominational tradition. Regardless of the method, the essential element is the invocation of the Trinity, as prescribed in the Great Commission.

Infant vs. Believer's Baptism
The practice of baptizing infants, known as paedobaptism, is observed in many Christian denominations, including Roman Catholic, Orthodox, and some Protestant traditions. It is seen as a sign of God's covenant with the family and the community of faith. In contrast, believer's baptism, or credobaptism, is practiced by denominations such as Baptists and Pentecostals, emphasizing personal confession of faith and repentance prior to baptism.

Baptism and Salvation
While baptism is a vital act of obedience and a public testimony of faith, it is not considered a means of salvation in itself. Salvation is by grace through faith in Jesus Christ, as stated in Ephesians 2:8-9 : "For it is by grace you have been saved through faith, and this not from yourselves; it is the gift of God, not by works, so that no one can boast." Baptism is an outward expression of an inward transformation that has already occurred through faith in Christ.

Baptism
... Go ye, therefore, and teach all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father,
and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost; teaching them,' &c. Matthew 28:19. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watson/the ten commandments/4 4 baptism.htm

Three Objections
... He said, "Baptising them in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy
Ghost." What right have we, His servants, to stop short of full obedience? ...
/.../wilson-carmichael/things as they are/chapter xxxi three objections.htm

From the Birth to the Ascension of Jesus.
... This he did by preaching repentance and by baptising them as a profession of repentance
and as a sign that they were forgiven. (2) The Baptism of Jesus. ...
/.../tidwell/the bible period by period/chapter xviii from the birth.htm

The First Disciples: iii. Philip
... These events had occurred where John was baptising, in a place called in the English
version Bethabara, which means 'The house of crossing,' or as we might say ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture i/the first disciples iii philip.htm

The Light and the Lamps
... heart by saying, 'He whom thou didst baptise, and to whom thou didst give
witness'"He whom thou didst start on His career"'is baptising,' poaching upon thy ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture i/the light and the lamps.htm

Confessio Fidei Scotican?? ii.
... His justification by warkis, opus operatum, warkis of supererogation, merites, pardons,
peregrinations, and stations: His holie water, baptising of bellis ...
/.../confessio fidei scoticanae ii.htm

On Baptism.
... first-fruit. For it saith, The beginning of the Gospel of Jesus Christ,
&c.: John came baptising in the wilderness [592] . You may ...
/.../cyril/lectures of s cyril of jerusalem/lecture iii on baptism.htm

The Present, a Dispensation of Means.
... correctly translated, as we have it in the Revised New Testament reads thus: "Go
ye, therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptising them into the ...
/.../the way of salvation in the lutheran church/chapter iii the present a.htm

The First Native Converts and Christian Schools
... was a day of great joy. I had the happiness to desecrate the Gunga, by
baptising the first Hindoo, viz. Krishna, and my son Felix ...
/.../smith/the life of william carey/chapter vi the first native.htm

P??dobaptism. Its Accordance with the Institution of Christ, and ...
... insisting that because it is said, "Go, preach and baptise," and again, "Whosoever
believes and is baptised," they must preach before baptising, and believe ...
/.../chapter 16 paedobaptism its accordance.htm

Baptising (6 Occurrences)
...Baptising (6 Occurrences). ... Mark 1:4 There came John baptising in the wilderness,
and preaching the baptism of repentance for remission of sins. (DBY). ...
/b/baptising.htm - 7k

Manifested (48 Occurrences)
... (DBY). John 1:31 and I knew him not; but that he might be manifested to Israel,
therefore have I come baptising with water. (DBY YLT NAS). ...
/m/manifested.htm - 20k

Baptisest (1 Occurrence)

/b/baptisest.htm - 6k

Baptised (46 Occurrences)
... (DBY). John 3:23 And John also was baptising in Aenon, near Salim, because there
was a great deal of water there; and they came to him and were baptised: (DBY). ...
/b/baptised.htm - 18k

Across (172 Occurrences)
... at a distance, (BBE). John 1:28 These things took place in Bethany, across
the Jordan, where John was baptising. (DBY). John 1:41 ...
/a/across.htm - 35k

Deal (170 Occurrences)
... John 3:23 And John also was baptising in Aenon, near Salim, because there was a
great deal of water there; and they came to him and were baptised: (DBY). ...
/d/deal.htm - 40k

Departed (270 Occurrences)
... (KJV DBY WBS). John 10:40 and departed again beyond the Jordan to the place where
John was baptising at the first: and he abode there. (DBY). ...
/d/departed.htm - 34k

Baptism (76 Occurrences)

/b/baptism.htm - 101k

Did Jesus baptize? | GotQuestions.org

Who is permitted to baptize / perform baptisms? | GotQuestions.org

What does the Bible say about how to get baptized / how to baptize? | GotQuestions.org

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus