The inside and outside of the matter
I. The Outward Act: Dipping in Water and Bringing Out.
A. We believe the most biblical physical act of baptism to be
immersion in water.
1. The primary meaning of the word baptizo/bapto suggests
this.
a. Bapto Baptizo
b. Ex. 12:22 2 Kings 5:14
c. Lev. 14:6, 16, 51 Isa. 21:4
d. Josh. 3:15
e. Ruth 2:14
2. Narratives of biblical baptisms suggest this.
a. John 3:23
b. Acts 8:38-39
B. The significance of this outward physical act.
1. Burial and resurrection (Rom. 6:3-4; Col. 2:12).
2. New creation (2 Cor. 5:17; Gen. 1:1-2).
3. Deliverance as in the Flood (1 Pet. 3:20-22) and Red Sea
(1 Cor. 10:1-2).
C. We acknowledge that not all Christians have maintained this
practice, which is now being recovered in many places as the
primitive rite.
1. Early changes (Didache 7:1-4).
2. Reformers (including Anabaptists).
3. Modern resurgence.
II. The Inward Act: Sprinkling of the Blood of Jesus.
A. Old Testament backgrounds.
1. Sprinkling of water for purification (Lev. 14:1-9; Num.
19).
2. Sprinkling of blood for atonement (Lev. 16:14-19).
B. The prophets described the messianic era as a time when God
would sprinkle Israel and the nations alike.
1. Ezek. 36:25-27
2. Isa. 52:15
C. New Testament writers see this fulfilled in spiritual
cleansing/atonement by Christ’s blood.
1. Heb. 10:22
2. Heb. 12:24
3. Heb. 9:13-14
4. 1 Peter 1:3
III. The Inward Act: Pouring Out of God’s Holy Spirit.
A. Old Testament background: prophets, priests and kings were
dedicated by pouring oil over their heads (anointing;
christening). This symbolized God’s lavish outpouring of his
empowerment and blessing on the person being consecrated.
1. Ex. 29:7; Lev. 8:12
2. Psa. 133:1-2
B. The prophets described the messianic era as a time when God
would pour out his Spirit on all his people, empowering and
consecrating them all for his service.
1. Isa. 32:15
2. Isa. 44:3
3. Joel 2:28-29
C. New Testament writers see this fulfilled in the giving of
the Spirit to the believer.
1. Acts 2:33 (Luke)
2. 2 Cor. 1:21-22 (Paul)
3. 1 John 2:20, 27 (John)
IV. Baptism Involves Immersion (Outwardly) and also Sprinkling
(Inwardly) and Pouring (Inwardly) — Each Full of Meaning for the
Person Looking in Faith to Christ.
