What is a definition of baptism other than from the Strong's Concordance?
Strong’s concordance indicates:
From a derivative of baptw - bapto 911 ; to immerse, submerge; to make whelmed (i.e. fully wet); used only (in the New Testament) of ceremonial ablution, especially (technically) of the ordinance of Christian baptism:--Baptist, baptize, wash
I disagree strongly with the Strong's concordance (no pun intended) in its definition of baptism! Their definition is greatly influenced by religious tradition and denominationalism, and not by God's word!
Nowhere in the bible is baptism an immersing or submerging, or to overwhelm with water!
For example, our Apostle said that the people of Israel were "baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea." [1 Corinthians 10:2] Yet at no time were the people of Israel who came up out of Egypt either immersed, submerged, or overwhelmed with water. In fact, the only people who got all that done to them were the Egyptians who were chasing them! In fact, the people of Israel did not even get wet—they were dry.
Exodus 14:28-29
And the waters returned, and covered the chariots, and the horsemen, and all the host of Pharaoh that came into the sea after them; there remained not so much as one of them. But the children of Israel walked upon dry land in the midst of the sea; and the waters were a wall unto them on their right hand, and on their left.
So, comparing scripture to scripture, Strong's is wrong! (The bible definition of water baptism is a sprinkling). The bible definition for baptism is simply "total identification." This definition will fit every occurrence of the word!
For example, in Matthew there are 3 different baptisms in one verse. John would identify (1) the believing remnant of Israel through his water baptism. The Lord Jesus would then further identify his believers (2) by later giving them the Holy Ghost. And then Christ would also identify the unbelievers by (3) giving them his fire—that is, his wrath in the tribulation period!
Matthew 3:11
I [John] indeed baptize you with water unto repentance. but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he [Jesus] shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:
So you see, baptism is not what Strong's says about it, but how the bible defines a word is what counts! A bible dictionary/concordance is a good tool to help you sometimes, but the word of God is the Final Authority.
Romans 3:4
God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written…
Hopefully this helps!
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Do you have a question
for Pastor Ron?
so then the baptism of fire for unbelievers would be just a light sprinkling and would cause them no lasting physical, emotional, eternal or otherwise damage, RIGHT? And just a sprinkling of The Holy Spirit for the believers?...sounds a lot different than a body being a temple for the Holy Spirit, or David be afraid to the point of saying, "take not your Holy Spirit" from me. You folks may be getting so concerned w/ being dogmatic and legalistic that you may be missing the whole freedom thing...and that love is more important than anything else...you may be causing rigidity and legalism...did you forget that "for freedom Christ set us free"
ReplyDeleteDear Anonymous:
ReplyDeleteAfter years of dealing with people's questions, I learned that those questions asked in a spirit of disputation come not from wanting to learn truth, but to strive and debate. I let them believe what they want to believe.
Therefore, my answer to you is
"…what saith the scripture?"
"And Jesus answering said unto them, Do ye not therefore err, because ye know not the scriptures, neither the power of God?" [Mark 12:24]
"Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations." [Romans 14:1]
"But foolish and unlearned questions avoid , knowing that they do gender strifes." [2 Timothy 2:23]
"But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain." [Titus 3:9]
Rather,
"Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." [2 Timothy 2:15]
"And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business…" [1 Thessalonians 4:11]
In Christ,
Ron Knight