We are thrilled that you have chosen to attend our baptism class! Let's begin with a basic introduction about what baptism is and what baptism is not.
We'll do that by asking 3 Questions about Baptism.
Question #1 - What does the word “baptize” mean?
The word "baptize" comes from the Greek word baptizō.
Baptize means to sink or immerse; to be placed into.
It means "to be placed into."
In other words, to baptize means to be placed into and immersed into something, like how a rock can be placed into water, being completely immersed in that water, and then sinking to the bottom, with no thought of bringing it back up to the surface. It is forever in that water.
Biblically speaking, baptism has that very same idea. A person is being sunk into or immersed into that which they have placed their faith in. It has the idea of identification.
When a person was baptized by John, they were physically displaying their mental and spiritual condition of being fully immersed into what John was saying. They believed what John was saying and sank themselves into it. They outwardly express this through physically being baptized in water. That water has a cleansing representation to it. That person says, "whatever I used to think how I used to live and believe is all washed away. I now think differently. I have changed my mind and now I want to live in a way that reflects my new belief and thought. I am expressing that internal reality through outwardly and being physically immersed in water.”
Question #2 - What are the two major kinds of baptism?
There is a difference between spirit baptism and water baptism. The two are not the same.
#1 - Spirit (real) baptism: What is Spirit baptism?
Spirit baptism is twofold. #1 - When a person believes in Jesus through hearing the message of the gospel, that person receives the Holy Spirit. Jesus Christ baptizes that person with the Holy Spirit by having the Holy Spirit indwell that person. This is described in Ephesians 1:13. #2 - When a person believes in Jesus through hearing the message of the gospel, that person is placed into the body of Christ by the Holy Spirit. These two events are simultaneous at the moment a person believes in Jesus and is given eternal life. \- Baptized with the Spirit indwelling you and baptized by the Spirit into Christ. That is Spirit baptism and it is different than water baptism.
#2 - Water (ritual) baptism: What is water baptism?
Water baptism is an event that takes place after one believes in Jesus, and it is a ceremony that symbolizes what took place when that person believed in Jesus. That person is baptized in water, usually by another believer, and this ceremony is an outward sign of what has taken place inwardly. Water baptism is a symbol of a person sharing in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus through faith in Him.
Question #3 - What method of baptism do we use at the Village Church?
There are two basic methods used for water baptism. Immersion and affusion
Immersion - When the person being baptized is fully submerged in water (immerse).
Affusion - When the person being baptized has water sprinkled or poured on the body.
Based on the definition of the Greek word Baptizo, it is hard to make a case for either method, so we do not base our preference on the definition of Baptizo.
At the Village Church, we use immersion because we beleive it best represents the symbolic nature of baptism. We view water baptism as an outward sign of what has taken place inwardly. We believe baptism is a symbol of the believer sharing in the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ. This is easily displayed through immersion, and we prefer immersion.
We'll do that by asking 3 Questions about Baptism.
Question #1 - What does the word “baptize” mean?
The word "baptize" comes from the Greek word baptizō.
Baptize means to sink or immerse; to be placed into.
It means "to be placed into."
In other words, to baptize means to be placed into and immersed into something, like how a rock can be placed into water, being completely immersed in that water, and then sinking to the bottom, with no thought of bringing it back up to the surface. It is forever in that water.
Biblically speaking, baptism has that very same idea. A person is being sunk into or immersed into that which they have placed their faith in. It has the idea of identification.
When a person was baptized by John, they were physically displaying their mental and spiritual condition of being fully immersed into what John was saying. They believed what John was saying and sank themselves into it. They outwardly express this through physically being baptized in water. That water has a cleansing representation to it. That person says, "whatever I used to think how I used to live and believe is all washed away. I now think differently. I have changed my mind and now I want to live in a way that reflects my new belief and thought. I am expressing that internal reality through outwardly and being physically immersed in water.”
Question #2 - What are the two major kinds of baptism?
There is a difference between spirit baptism and water baptism. The two are not the same.
#1 - Spirit (real) baptism: What is Spirit baptism?
Spirit baptism is twofold. #1 - When a person believes in Jesus through hearing the message of the gospel, that person receives the Holy Spirit. Jesus Christ baptizes that person with the Holy Spirit by having the Holy Spirit indwell that person. This is described in Ephesians 1:13. #2 - When a person believes in Jesus through hearing the message of the gospel, that person is placed into the body of Christ by the Holy Spirit. These two events are simultaneous at the moment a person believes in Jesus and is given eternal life. \- Baptized with the Spirit indwelling you and baptized by the Spirit into Christ. That is Spirit baptism and it is different than water baptism.
#2 - Water (ritual) baptism: What is water baptism?
Water baptism is an event that takes place after one believes in Jesus, and it is a ceremony that symbolizes what took place when that person believed in Jesus. That person is baptized in water, usually by another believer, and this ceremony is an outward sign of what has taken place inwardly. Water baptism is a symbol of a person sharing in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus through faith in Him.
Question #3 - What method of baptism do we use at the Village Church?
There are two basic methods used for water baptism. Immersion and affusion
Immersion - When the person being baptized is fully submerged in water (immerse).
Affusion - When the person being baptized has water sprinkled or poured on the body.
Based on the definition of the Greek word Baptizo, it is hard to make a case for either method, so we do not base our preference on the definition of Baptizo.
At the Village Church, we use immersion because we beleive it best represents the symbolic nature of baptism. We view water baptism as an outward sign of what has taken place inwardly. We believe baptism is a symbol of the believer sharing in the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ. This is easily displayed through immersion, and we prefer immersion.