YOUR KINGDOM FOUNDATION
The Teaching of Immersions
INTRODUCTION
"Therefore, leaving the discussion of the elementary principles of Christ ... not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, of the teaching of immersions, of laying on of hands, of resurrection of the dead and of eternal judgment ...," Hebrews 6'1-3.
Instead of "immersions" a more common title for this article could have been The Doctrine of Baptisms. That's because the word "baptism" is generally used to describe the religious ceremonies that involve water. However, the reason for not using the word "baptism" here is because the New Testament Greek word baptisma actually means immersion. So there are "baptisms" that are not immersions.
It seems that a long time ago the word baptismabegan to be used to describe a ceremony that involves water but not immersing a person, but sprinkling them instead. Added to that the ceremony was more of an initiation ceremony and the person was a baby.
So the word immersion comes directly from baptisma. Its verb, baptizo (bap-tid-zo), means to immerse or to submerge (Strong's concordance). It is the straight translation of the Greek into English.
Anyther thing to notice about the title of this article is that this elementary principle of a Believer's spiritual foundation is about more than one immersion. But Paul refers to only one immersion in Ephesians 4'5-6?
"There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one immersion; one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all" ?.
How can that be? The answer is that all of these "ones" are eternal. In other words, from the moment a person is in Christ they are. Their existence has an eternal factor. The immersion Paul refers to is the Immersion into the Body of Christ, the first one in the experience of a Believer. So, there's no contradiction.
Back to the Teaching of Immersions. There are four:
1. Immersion into the Body of Christ. This is unique. It is strictly the work of the Holy Spirit.
2. Immersion in Water. This is for the person who has received Christ who understands the salvation truths of His death and resurrection on their behalf.
3. Immersion in the Holy Spirit. This immersion occurs when God gives the Holy Spirit to a Believer, in Jesus' name. Jesus said that the giving of the Spirit is the promise of the Father.
4. "His" Immersion. Jesus referred to "the immersion I am immersed with" as a very real experience.
Something that is sometimes raised at this point, is what is meant by "let us go on to perfection ... And this we will do if God permits". For more on that see Let Us Go On To Perfection? on the Menu.
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Next: Immersion Into The Body Of Christ.