In those days Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized in the Jordan by John. 10 As soon as he came up out of the water, he saw the heavens being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. 11 And a voice came from heaven: “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well-pleased.”
Mark 1:9-11
Jesus was baptized. The word baptizō literally means “to immerse.” I know there are other traditions that call sprinkling or pouring “baptizing” but that was more of a tradition of convenience that developed over time in stead of how the Bible actually describes the first church. Even prior to the New Testament, the Greek word communicates this same idea. The Greek poet/philosopher Nicander (200 BC) actually records a recipe for making pickles. He says that vegetables should be baptizō in a vinegar solution. That’s a great picture. Water baptism doesn’t save us, just like it didn’t save Jesus, but it pictures what has happened. We are surrounded by the holy spirit, and like a pickle, he infuses us with his essence and we become something completely new. Baptism also signifies death, our death to ourselves and our association with Jesus death (see Romans 6:4) so that we can now live to/for him. Have you been baptized? Believe in Jesus, then follow his command to make disciples baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
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