Baptism has been at the center of a lot of discussion and controversy over the decades, even before the Bible was first translated into English. By 250 A.D., the practice of “sprinkling” was sometimes substituted for immersion where there was an illness, but only in rare cases. It did not come into general use as a method of baptism for the sick until 753 A.D., then only in cases where men thought it was a necessity. It was not until 1311 A.D. that the legislature, in a council at Ravenna, declared immersion or sprinkling to be indifferent (History of the Church Through the Ages, page 34).

The 1611 version of the Bible commissioned by King James of England came 300 years after the Ravenna council’s decision on baptism. By then the practice of the church had changed from the early practice of immersion to include sprinkling. Thus, the Greek words baptisma and baptizo were not translated into their English meaning, but rather the Greek letters were copied into English letters (transliterated, or Anglicized) to create our English words baptism and baptize.

The word baptism, in its various forms, is a New Testament word and concept (although priests were instructed to “wash with water” before entering the Tabernacle (Exodus 29:4, 30:20, 40:12). The account of John the Baptist is the first biblical record to institute the procedure of baptism (Matthew 3).

Not only its definition, but the purpose for baptism has created much discussion over the years. The purpose for water baptism has also been confused with the purpose of the baptism in the Holy Spirit, contributing further to the debate.

Let us consider what the Scripture has to say about the method and purpose of baptism in water, as well as what the Bible teaches on the baptism of the Holy Spirit.

In looking at the examples in the New Testament, there are some characteristics listed about the procedure which show how it was carried out during that period. In Matthew 3:16, when John the Baptist baptized Jesus, the Scripture states that Jesus, “went up straightway out of the water.” Mark 1:5 states they “were all baptized of him [John] in the river of Jordan.” John 3:23 reports that “John also was baptizing in Aenon near to Salim, because there was much water there.” When Philip was traveling with the Ethiopian eunuch in his chariot before the baptism, we see in Acts 8:36 the indication that there was a pool of water large enough to be seen from the chariot as they went along. Verses 38 and 39 say, “they went down both into the water” and “they were come up out of the water.”

One of the things that baptism emulates is the death, burial and resurrection of Christ. Romans 6:4 teaches that “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.” Colossians 2:12 says “Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him...” As Christ was buried and arose from the grave after his death, we are buried in the act of baptism to rise a new spiritual man!

The definition of the word, the examples of those who were baptized in the New Testament and the act we are to emulate all indicate the proper method for baptism is immersion. With immersion we are covered by the water just as Christ was covered by the earth when he was buried.

Peter continued the same theme on the Day of Pentecost when he preached the first gospel sermon. He said, “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins...” (Acts 2:38). This teaching continued what Jesus had told his disciples as recorded in both Matthew and Mark. Mark 16:16 records Jesus saying, “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved...” Peter continued to teach the same thing after Pentecost. Consider 1 Peter 3:21: “The like figure whereunto, even baptism, doth also now save us.”

Paul taught a similar position in his writings. When Paul was recounting his conversion in Acts 22:1-21, he repeated what Ananias said to him. Keep in mind, Paul had seen the light from God and heard the words spoken to him on the road. However, that event did not take away his sins.

Ananias said to Paul in verse 16, “arise, and be baptized and wash away thy sins...” Paul’s sins were taken away and forgiven when he was baptized. Paul told the Galatians “For as many of you as have been baptized, have put on Christ” (Galatians 3:27).

When we examine what Jesus told his disciples before and after His death, and what Peter and Paul said and wrote after the Church was established, we conclude that the method of water baptism is immersion, and its purpose is for the remission of sins to put us into Christ. If we are to be obedient, we must follow the method He outlined in the Scriptures. If we love Him, we will keep His commandments (John 14:15).

There is one other similar event recorded in Acts 10 when the Holy Spirit fell on the household of Cornelius as Peter preached to them. The result of that event was that Cornelius and his household were able to speak in languages they had not learned. God used this manifestation of the Spirit to show Peter and the other Jews present that the Gentiles were now to be accepted into the church. Peter characterizes this happening as the same as the day of Pentecost when he says, “the Holy Spirit fell on them, as on us at the beginning” (Acts 11:15). The event also caused him to remember the words of Jesus that said, “John indeed baptized with water, but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit” (Acts 11:16).

There isn’t any record whether the gifts Cornelius received that day lasted longer than the few moments it took Peter to realize what God wanted, or if they continued throughout their lives. There also is no indication that they received the ability to pass on any gifts. Therefore, it is doubtful if they received the same ability as the apostles in that regard.

There are no other incidents recorded in the scriptures that could be classified as Holy Spirit baptism. Remember baptism means to cover completely. Why only these two cases? Why not more? The two times represent beginnings. The first was the beginning of the church while the second was the beginning of the inclusion of the Gentiles into the church. It took a major event both times to show people that God included both Jew and Gentile in His Church (Ephesians 3:3-6).

The power that came with Holy Spirit baptism would have ended when the apostles died. Because of the measure of the Spirit given to them, the apostles had the power to pass on the ability to others to do miracles. However, those individuals did not have the power to pass on their gift to others. This is seen when Peter and John had to go to Samaria to pass on the Holy Spirit after Philip had converted the people. Though Philip had been given power (Acts 6:5-6) when he was appointed a deacon, he could not pass it on, so the apostles were called. Simon wanted to buy this power to grant gifts (Acts 8:18-19).

The purpose of having special powers was to help the Church get established before the New Testament Scriptures were written. 1 Corinthians 13:8-10 tells us prophecies and tongues will cease. Why? Because they are no longer needed now that we have the Word. Ephesians 6:17 records that the Word of God is “the sword of the Spirit.”

What purpose does the Spirit serve today if we are not baptized with the Holy Spirit? Peter says the Spirit is the gift received after baptism (Acts 2:38). In both Romans 8:9 and 1 Corinthians 3:16 Paul says that the Spirit of God dwells in you. Jesus also said that the Holy Spirit would be with us forever. He called the Holy Spirit “the Comforter” (John 14:16).

Today we have the words of Christ and the writers of the New Testament. These words give us the information we need in order to be obedient to the wants and commands of God and Christ. The Holy Spirit helps us understand those words so we can be correct in our desire to please God. It’s when we abandon those words of God and substitute our own thinking that we get in trouble. Some teach the Holy Spirit working today the same way He did before the Bible was written. They believe that men still do miracles; still speak in languages unlearned; still heal the sick and crippled, etcetera. This causes many to be led away from the truth presented in the Scriptures. We need to remember the purpose of miracles: They were to confirm the Gospel and make believers. Now we have the written word to make believers (John 20:30,31).

Friend, have you been baptized in water in the Name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins?