“Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.” Mark 16:16 ESV

Greetings Everyone!

This month, we will look at the third essential teaching that was written in the book of Hebrews 6:1-2 (NKJV),

“Therefore, leaving the discussion of the elementary principles of Christ, let us go on to perfection, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, of the doctrine of baptisms, of laying on of hands, of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.”

 When I was twelve years old, I got baptized. I wore a white gown, my hair was pulled up into a cap, and the pastor prayed over me. He pinched my nose and told me to hold my breath. He then submerged me in a pool of cool water. The pastor told me that I was a new creature in Christ (2 Corinth. 5:17) and that my sins were forgiven now that I had accepted Christ as my Lord and Savior. The writer of this particular scripture mentions the teaching of ceremonial washing, which was so prominent in the lives of the priests and people of Israel. So, when I got baptized, I understood why I did it, but did I truly understand the reason behind it? Before I answer the question, let’s break down baptism in Hebrew and Greek.

Baptism in Hebrew is called “mikveh.” According to the Jewish Virtual Library (2023), mikveh, literally translated as a "collection" or "gathering," is a pool or bath of clear water in which immersion renders ritually clean a person who has become ritually unclean. According to Leviticus 15, the priests had to be ritually clean (tahor) to serve at the Tabernacle, and Israelites who had become ritually unclean (tamay) had to restore their situation with time and bathing their whole body in fresh, ritually clean (tahor) water. It never washed away sins. It only made the individual ritually pure, not actually pure. Baptism in Greek is called “baptizō,” which is to plunge, dip, or immerse something in the water. Paul stated in Romans 6:3-4 that baptism symbolizes a union with Christ in his death, burial, and resurrection. Paul also said this in Colossians 2:12 (ESV), “having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead.” Paul explains perfectly that submerging underwater is like going down into the grave. Coming out of the water is like being raised with Christ to walk with him.

The writer wants us to remember that baptism is not just death and resurrection with Christ but purification and cleansing from sins. Ananias told Saul in Acts 22:16 (ESV),” And now why do you wait? Rise and be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on his name.’”

There is also another form of baptism. The baptism of the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:8). In Acts 2:14-41, Peter spoke to Judea's men and all who lived in Jerusalem. He began preaching the gospel and telling them about the promise of the Holy Spirit. He said in Acts 2:36 (ESV), “And Peter said to them, “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.”

After reading these scriptures about baptism, I realized it is more than just being immersed in water. It’s a relationship with Christ and other believers. Paul said to the Corinthian church in 1 Corinth. 12:13 (ESV), “For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit.”

Next month, I will be discussing laying on of hands.