Baptism / Baptize / Baptizing

The Greek word is βαπτίζω
Pronounced “bap-tid'-zo" -- and means "to dip/sink"
So, those who "sprinkle" [see just below], is THAT dipping?  Sinking?

Next, although most say baptism is a COMMANDMENT ...
1)  It is not listed in the 10 (or 11) commandments,
2)  The Thief on the cross (Dismas), the jailer/guard at the cross, The rich, young ruler, Paul's jailer [who was going to stab himself], the "woman at the well" (although "conveniently" near water - ha ha), The prostitute woman who was going to be stoned to death, and the line-up of those Jesus healed ..... did not get baptized.
Does that mean they were not saved?  I believe they all were saved, since "Jesus" said "believe in your heart and say it out loud - and you will be saved".  He did not add "and be baptized, say 3 hail marys, and recite the rosary", or "tun your head to the left, cough 3 times, and do 11.7 jumping jacks, and sing a high C - slightly out of tune".  Or the The Rich, Young Ruler.  Jesus said "sell everything you have, and give it to the poor, and follow me."
Have we done THAT? (A: NO!)  So WE are NOT saved, correct?
3)  Another COMMANDMENT (by the same "command" the above was given) is to "go unto all the world, and preach the gospel".  Have YOU don't that (A: "No".)  So you are not saved.  See?
4)  A Christian cannot be like the Pharisees. Water baptism in that day was for the Prosylte Jew. The pharisees didn't think Jesus was a true jew BECAUSE HE CAME FROM GALILEE. He got baptized from John the Baptizer just to prove to the Pharisees that if they had any doubts... He was a jew. Baptism was for Gentiles... not for Jews.

I believe that baptism is like circumcision - it's _not_ required, and if you feel lead ... [ *ouch* !!]
I believe baptism is a public affirmation / sign / display - that you are dedicating yourself to following God. Enoch followed God _fervently_ - for 331 years - but there is no record of him (Enoch) being baptized. He was one of 3 taken up to heaven - *while alive* - one other being Yeshua ("Jesus") Himself. Do you *think* he was "inspired" , or "saved"? (duuuuh!) And even funnier - they kept his book (The book of Enoch) *out* of the Bible (!!!!)

Yeah, he wrote about a flood, demons, dinosaurs, and more. We can't have  those  in the Bible, now, can we??


If becoming born again came about by water baptism, then we would know from whence the new birth comes, yet John 3:8 instructs that we cannot tell from whence the new birth comes. Therefore baptismal regeneration isn't the means of producing the new birth. In regeneration a person is passive and only God is active. Born from above.

From on-line sites. I have NO IDEA how #1 has to do with baptism.
1)  Jesus cites Exodus 3:6
(Gay JV) "Moreover he said, I am the God of thy father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. And Moses hid his face; for he was afraid to look upon God."
Original Hebrew:
וַיֹּ֗אמֶר אֱלֹהֵ֣י אָבִ֔יךָ אֱלֹהֵ֧י אַבְרָהָ֛ם אֱלֹהֵ֥י יִצְחָ֖ק וֵאלֹהֵ֣י יַעֲקֹ֑ב מֹשֶׁה֙ וַיַּסְתֵּ֤ר פָּנָ֔יו יָרֵ֔א מֵהַבִּ֖יט הָאֱלֹהִֽים׃
It literally means: "to say     God     father     God     yits-khawk [not "Isaac"!]     God     yah-ah-kobe [not "Jacob"!]     moh-SHEH [not "Moses"!     to conceal/hide face     to fear     to look    God"

2)  1 Peter 3:21
(KJV) "The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ"
Original Greek: ἀντίτυπον βάπτισμα νῦν σῴζει ἀπόθεσις ῥύπου σαρκὸς ἐπερώτημα θεόν ἀγαθῆς συνειδήσεως δι’ ἀναστάσεως Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ
Pronounced "antitupon  baptisma  nun  sōzei  apothesis  rupou  sarkos [like sarcoidosis]   eperōtēma  theon [God]   agathēs  suneidēseōs  di  anastaseōs iēsou ["Yeshua"/"Jesus"]   christou"
Literally means: "struck back/counterpart     to sink/to dip     presently     to save    a putting away     filth/ dirt/impurity     body/human nature/flesh     Inquiry/question/appeal     God     good     consciousness     through/because of/on account of     a standing up/a raising up     Yeshua     the Messiah"

4)  1 Corinthians 1:14
I thank God that I baptized none of you, but Crispus and Gaius
εὐχαριστῶ ἐβάπτισα οὐδένα Κρίσπον Γάϊον
Literally means "to be thankful    ["God" was added - it would have been "Theos"]       to dip/sink     no one/none     "krispon", a Christian in Corinth     "gaion".
If you remove the names, it woud be "to be thankful     to dip/sink     no one/none"



Contradiction
4)  Acts 22:16
Baptism washes our sins away
(KJV) "And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.”
Greek: νῦν τί μέλλεις ἀναστὰς βάπτισαι ἀπόλουσαι ἁμαρτίας ἐπικαλεσάμενος ὄνομα
Pronounced: “nun  ti  melleis  anastas  baptisai  apolousai  amartias  epikalesamenos  onoma”
Literally means: "the present     who/which     to be about to/to intend/to be destined     to raise/to stand up     to dip/sink     to wash off     a failure [sin]       to call upon/to invoke/to appeal to       a name/authority”

So, “of the Lord” was added, as well as “tarriest” and “thou”.
This clearly negates “what - can - wash - away - my  - sins …. nothing but the blood of Jesus.”  We see that baptism does it.  No need to accept Jesus - just do the ritual of baptism, and “works" will get you in.

A clear contradiction!
It also  negates Ephesians 2:8-9, Ephesians 1:13.


Acts 16:33 And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway.
Original Greek: παραλαβὼν ὥρᾳ νυκτὸς ἔλουσεν πληγῶν παραχρῆμα ἐβαπτίσθη
Pronounced "paralabōn  ōra  nuktos  elousen  plēgōn  parachrēma  ebaptisthē"
Literally means "to receive from     a time or period     night time     to bathe    a blow/wound     instantly     to dip/sink"
Translators added "and He", "that very hour", and "he and all the household" was added.


Also, see Acts 2:38....


Matthew 28:19-20
Greek: πορευθέντες οὖν μαθητεύσατε πάντα ἔθνη βαπτίζοντες ὄνομα πατρὸς υἱοῦ ἁγίου πνεύματος
Literally means: "to go      then/so      to be a disciple      all/every      ethnic      to dip/sink      authority      a father      a son - - - -   separate      wind/breath"

Verse 20:
διδάσκοντες τηρεῖν πάντα ἐνετειλάμην ἰδοὺ εἰμι πάσας ἕως συντελείας αἰῶνος
Literally means: "to teach      to guard      all/every      to enjoin      look      I exist      all/every      until      a joint payment or action      a space of time"



"Sprinkling":
Thee are many who cite the following verse as poof/grounds of spinkling:
Ezekiel 36:25
וְזָרַקְתִּ֧י   - does mean “to toss”, but טְהֹורִ֖ים means “clean/pure”.  Tell me any location in the OT - that had “pure” (distilled 7x) water.  Their water was barely drinkable - a peron had to have "tolerance" for the microbes in it.

Ezekiel 36:25
"Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you."
Original Hebrew:  וְזָרַקְתִּ֧י טְהֹורִ֖ים מַ֥יִם וּטְהַרְתֶּ֑ם אֲטַהֵ֥ר מִכֹּ֧ל טֻמְאֹותֵיכֶ֛ם וּמִכָּל־ גִּלּ֥וּלֵיכֶ֖ם
It means "to toss or throw/scatter abundantly”
And the Hebrew word  מַ֥יִם - pronounced “mah'-yim” - means “waters/juice/urine/semen”.  NOT just “water”.
It continues with: “clean     waters/juice/urine/semen     to be clean/pure     to be clean/pure (yes, AGAIN)     the whole/all     uncleanness     the whole/all     an idol”
So, these were added:  "Then will I”, "upon you”, ", and ye shall”, “from”, and "will I cleanse you.”
Yeh, we should hang on EVERY WORD.  NOT.

Also, this is the Old Covenant - do   _you_   still make sacrifices?  Kill animals?  - and those animals must be “without blemish” - which is impossible genetically in this age.


Ezekiel 16:9
וָאֶרְחָצֵ֣ךְ means “to bathe/immerse”.  They are either _conflicting_ (and same Author!), or everyone's “Confirmation bias” (and eisegesis) is running away with you - and it’s called “intellectual conceit”.
Later, וָאֶשְׁטֹ֥ף  is used - it means “to rinse”.  Finally, they use בַּשָּֽׁמֶן׃  - which means “fat”, not water.  Do you sprinkle fat?

Leviticus 1:5
וְזָרְק֨וּ  - means “to scatter abundantly until soaked” - but it continues with     הַדָּ֤ם סָבִ֔יב הַמִּזְבֵּ֙חַ֙ פֶּ֖תַח אֹ֥הֶל מֹועֵֽד׃
This literally means “the blood  round about  on the altar  by the doorway  of the tent    at the appointed time”
So, Br.m - if we (you) are going to get technical,   1) do you sprinkle *blood* ?     2) you have to do this - on an alter - in a tent - by a doorway - at the exact time.       Also,   3) it would be a direct contradiction to the NT - which is “to dip/sink”.

Hebrews 9:19–22)
Speaking of New Testament (meaning “New Covenant” - which supersedes the Old covenant - which you are defending over the NT):
ἐρράντισεν τε βιβλίον αὐτό πάντα λαὸν
Literally meaning “sprinkle    both the book    itself     and all  people”
So, are you saying that we could soak the Bible, and all people present?  And it  _commands_  sprinkling with   blood, water, scarlet, wool, and hyssop .  Now, I have _no idea_ how one would sprinkle people with wool.  The greek word "hussópos"(translated "hyssop") refers to a plant used for ritual purification and symbolic cleansing.  I have no idea what it actually is.  I would have to see the genus and species.  Usage: In the New Testament, "hussópos" refers to a plant used for ritual purification and symbolic cleansing. It is mentioned in contexts related to purification rites and the crucifixion of Jesus.  Cultural and Historical Background: Hyssop is a small bushy plant with aromatic leaves, commonly found in the Middle East. In ancient Jewish tradition, hyssop was used in ceremonial cleansing, as prescribed in the Law of Moses. It was employed in the sprinkling of blood or water for purification purposes, symbolizing spiritual cleansing and renewal. The plant's use in the Passover (Exodus 12:22) and purification rituals (Leviticus 14:4-6) underscores its significance in Jewish religious practices.

Corresponding Hebrew Entry: אֵזוֹב (ezob) - Refers to hyssop in the Old Testament, used in similar contexts of purification and cleansing.
https://biblehub.com/greek/5301.htm

My point is - that’s what the OT teaches!  You know - the very testament that you quote from.  (In English, of course, not the original Hebrew.)
NOTE: the Greek word “biblio” - means “a book”.  It is where “Bible” came from.  That is why I use “The Canon”, since 68 books were omitted from The Bible - including one writings by Yeshua Himself, and others by Mary, Enoch.  And don’t forget - the books of James, Psalms, Job, Proverbs, and Revelation - were originally part of those “omitted” writings.  And see how “dear’ we hold them??   Yes, I believe *all* should have been included - how *dare* they (The Edict of Thessalonica).



To be FAIR, arguments FOR baptism is REQUIRED for salvation - as retrieved from argumentative web sites:
Acts 2:38 provides a clear and direct statement on the necessity of baptism for salvation. When the crowd asked Peter what they must do to be saved, he replied: "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit."
Acts 2:38 Peter, speaking under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, explicitly connects baptism with the forgiveness of sins and receiving the Holy Spirit—both of which are essential for salvation. If baptism were merely symbolic, Peter would not have presented it as an essential response to the gospel. The Witness of the Early Church Fathers The early church fathers, who learned directly from the apostles, also affirmed baptism’s essential role in salvation: Ignatius of Antioch (c. 35–110 AD) – A disciple of the apostle John, he wrote: “Let us be washed in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, that we may obtain eternal life.” (Letter to the Philippians) Justin Martyr (c. 100–165 AD) – A second-century apologist wrote: “As many as are persuaded and believe … are brought by us to where there is water, and they are regenerated in the same manner in which we were ourselves regenerated.” (First Apology, Chapter 61) Tertullian (c. 155–220 AD) – One of the earliest Christian theologians said: “Happy is our sacrament of water, in that, by washing away the sins of our early blindness, we are set free and admitted into eternal life!” (On Baptism, Chapter 1) Conclusion The biblical evidence in Acts 2:38, along with the consistent teaching of the earliest Christians, demonstrates that baptism is not merely an outward symbol but an essential part of salvation. The apostles and their disciples understood it as the moment where sins are forgiven and the Holy Spirit is received. To reject the necessity of baptism is to reject both Scripture and the testimony of those who walked with the apostles themselves.

My own conclusion:
I'm afraid we don’t know if baptism is REQUIRED!  But when Yeshua ("Jesus") *does* talk about entering the kingdom (during the words recorded during His ministry), he never says anything about baptism.  I think Jesus felt John’s baptism was a fine thing for people living in this world, but would become irrelevant in the Kingdom. You can’t baptize every good person in the world, and only the good will be in the world that is coming–whether they are baptized or not. The Son of Man will baptize them with fire when he inaugurates the Kingdom. It will all be done at once, not just one dunking at a time.

Also, those who say "it's a COMMANDMENT!!" - well, so is "Go unto all the world and peach the Gospel".  DO YOU??????
(A: no, you don't.)

Romans 6:3
ἡ ἀγνοεῖτε ὅσοι ἐβαπτίσθημεν Χριστὸν Ἰησοῦν ἐβαπτίσθημεν θάνατον
Literally means "or/than     to be ignorant/not to know     how much/how many    to dip/sink    The Messiah     Yeshua     to dip/sink      death"

Romans 6:4
οὖν συνετάφημεν διὰ βαπτίσματος θάνατον οὕτως Χριστὸς ἠγέρθη νεκρῶν διὰ δοξῆς πατρός καὶ περιπατήσωμεν καινότητι ζωῆς
Literally means "then/and/so     to bury with     through/because of     a dipping or sinking     death     in this way/thus     The Messiah     to waken/to raise up     dead     through/because of     opinion     a father     and/also     to walk     renewal/newness     life"

Romans 6:5
εἰ γεγόναμεν σύμφυτοι ὁμοιώματι θανάτου ἀλλὰ καὶ ἀναστάσεως
Literally means "[like “uh” or “so”]     to come into being/to happen     grown along with     that which is made like     death     otherwise     and/even/also     a standing up/a raising up”

Galatians 3:27:
ὅσοι ἐβαπτίσθητε Χριστὸν ἐνεδύσασθε Χριστὸν
Literally means "how much/how many     to dip/sink     The Messiah     to clothe or be clothed     The Messiah"


e-mail me with questions or comments: sssshh@hushmail.com



The Echuarist and baptism

The Eucharist (from Koinē Greek: εὐχαριστία, romanized: evcharistía, lit. 'thanksgiving'), also called "Holy Communion".
The Bible doesn't even mention bathing or defecating/urinating, so one _could_ interpret that as "we aren't supposed to ever bathe, or have excrement". We can take these things to extremes.
The Eucharist is Catholic, so I would suggest going to Catholic sites for moe on that.  I and this site are Protestant (the ones who protested against Catholism).  But, read about the Catholic Crusades, if you will.