Baptism or Immersion?

Translators of the English New Testament have many difficult decisions to make about the original meaning of certain words and verses in the Greek manuscripts. Words chosen in translations are not automatic conclusions. Translators must seek to understand the original then find English words which accurately convey the meanings intended. There can be many slips in the process.

A key word in the message of the Good News is that which is most often translated as “baptism” in English. Rather, it is Anglicized into that English word. The Greek word, baptidzo is most often simply brought into English with a similar pronunciation. It is not actually translated into an English word which has the same meaning as it does in the Greek language.

If it were translated, the word would mean “immerse” in English. It means to “dip”, “dunk” or “immerse.” Early English translators chose to always us baptize or baptism instead of a translation. English translators have followed suite ever since.

The problem lies in that the English Bible reader is confused about what is being referred to in the New Testament text when baptism is used. Often it is obviously referencing the rite of baptism. Persons were immersed as a symbol of some spiritual decision which they had made.

John came, who baptized in the wilderness and preached the baptism of repentance unto remission of sins. (Mark 1.4 ASV)

And as they went on the way, they came unto a certain water; and the eunuch saith, Behold, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? (Acts 8.36 ASV)

In these cases, there is little doubt that the baptism being discussed is the rite of immersion in water as a symbol of spiritual change.

But those cases are the easy ones. Others are not as easy to determine. John the Baptist caused our dilemma when he talked about the work of Jesus,

"I did not recognize him, but he who sent me to immerse in water, said to me, 'He upon whom you see the Spirit descending and remaining upon Him, this is the one who immerses in the Holy Spirit.'” (John 1.33)

English translators have mistranslated the original in this verse by using baptism instead of immersion. To be “baptized by the Holy Ghost” is a very inaccurate translation. Great liberty had to be taken with the original language to be able to conclude that meaning. The result has been understandings of the meaning of the verse which have led to very strange interpretations.

And yet, when translated accurately, the picture is a very clear one. Jesus immerses persons in the spirit of God. What a fabulous promise.

Other verses are more ambiguous. We do not know for sure which word to use correctly, because both could have cases made for them. One of the most significant verses in this category is the Great Commission,

“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." (Matthew 28.19-20 ASV)

This is the standard way of translating the verses. However, the original language, and the context of the verses, leave open the possibility that they could be translated using immersion. If so, the message of the Commission would be very different, even though the injunction to go would be the same.

“Therefore, go and make students of all peoples, immersing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to practice all that I have instructed you; and truly, I am with you always, even to the end of the age,” (Matthew 28.19-20)

When it is understood that “in the name of” is a colloquialism for “teachings about or teachings of,” the verse changes flavor. It is obviously about taking everything which Jesus revealed about the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit to all people, not just their names. Then, the immersion would be in those revelations. This would be consistent with the subject being discussed. Jesus wants his teachings about Father, Son and Holy Spirit to be taught to everyone. He wants them to be immersed in their truth.

When John 5.24 is recalled, the idea becomes even more clear.

"Truly, I say to you, he who hears my message, and believes that God sent me, has eternal life, and does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.” (John 5.24)

The message (word) of Jesus has transforming power. When persons hear and accept it, believing that it is from God, their lives and spirits can be transformed. They can be “immersed in the spirit of God.” This happened at Antioch when the Gentiles heard the message,

"And God, who knows the heart, legitimized them by giving them the Holy Spirit, just as he also did to us; and he made no distinction between us and them, cleansing their hearts through belief.” (Acts 15.8-9)

This idea of being immersed in the message and the spirit appears throughout the New Testament, but translating baptidzo this way is not always a certain decision. There are many verses in which clarity is missing. One of the most interesting is,

Peter said to them, “Change you thinking, and each of you be immersed in the name of Jesus Christ for the release from your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 2.38)

Once again this may be saying that when persons are immersed in the teachings of Jesus, sins are cleansed from their lives. When this happens they may also immersed in the spirit of God.

so that he [Jesus] might make her [the church] Godly, having cleansed her like a washing with water by means of his message, (Ephesians 5.26)

“You are already clean because of the message which I have spoken to you.” (John 15.3)

The idea of being immersed in the teachings of Jesus, and that leading to being immersed in the spirit of God, is a frequent refrain in the Good News story. When translators insist on baptism as the only translation of baptidzo, the story becomes blurred for English readers. Using immersion instead of baptism allows Bible students an option of considering alternate understandings of the message being conveyed, and it makes more sense of some ambiguous verses.