NO SUCH THING AS BAPTISM

Historical theology is interesting and can give insight. But it is often very confusing as we see just how much confusion and heresy often arises. This is so in the historical doctrine of so called "Baptism." Augustine stated that Baptism was necessary for salvation. Roman Catholicism sought to make it part of the pagan rituals necessary to obtain a salvation gained by works and ritual. Reformed theology sought to equate it with OT circumcision and made it into a covenant ritual which thus included the still unbelieving, and having benefit for babies. If one contemplates such meaning they will realize that a beautiful symbol of immersion onto Christ became but pagan ritual. 

Biblically, there is no such thing as "Baptism." Thats right, no such thing. There is "Baptizo" and cognates in the Greek text which the Greek Orthodox Church recognizes by the practice of pinching the Babies nose and gently immersing it in water.

To the English speaking Christians there is "immersion" which is the translation of the Greek word. It can mean "to place into" when used in a spiritual sense such as at Romans 6.

So why all the fuss? Because the highly manipulated translation committees of the KJV were obliged to follow the Bishops Bible and thus perpetuate the pagan ritualism of the Roman and Anglican churches. But that is no reason for a discussion to be perpetuated over the mode of immersion. Immersion is immersion. Res ipsa loquitur. There really is no such thing as "Baptism" in English. Please translate the word. Translations since the KJV have played the toadies to the pressures of the KJV tradition and the semi paganized Christianity whose leaders endorsements they desire.

If I have a large pool of water and tell you I am going to immerse you, then you will expect to be all wet. If I am a Reformist (advocate of Reformed theology) and have a large pool of water and tell you I am going to Baptize you, then can expect to be but lightly touched or sprinkled with water but our theology will be all wet.

It is interesting to see the twists on history that are claimed and argued regarding so called "Baptism." But there are no possible twists on the Greek word or concept, or on the Biblical contexts. Though led away from the true Gospel, the Greek church cannot be fooled on this obvious truth. Neither should we.

Immersion is immersion and symbolizes our being Spiritually "placed into" the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ (Romans 6) wherein is Justification, Regeneration, forgiveness, and adoption, and all the other gracious blessings bestowed upon us at our salvation moment. Once we understand it is immersion it becomes easier to see the real symbolic meaning and that it is an initiative symbol for the believing who have been mystically united to their savior Jesus Christ. We are commanded to make disciples and then "be immersing them into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit" (Matthew 28:19). We who believe have all been Spiritually "placed into" into Christ ( 1 Corinthians 12:13).

There is "immersion" into Christ. There is a symbol of water immersion proclaiming this truth.

There is also this ritual called "Baptism." As practiced by many churches and denominations it is a contrived ritual that

 has been shielded by the creation of a new word, popularized by the King James Version, that is a non translated, and then Anglicized, Greek word. "Baptism" came from the Greek word "Baptizo" which if translated would be "immersion" or "placing into."