Definition and Origin
Baptizing, derived from the Greek word "baptizo," meaning "to immerse" or "to dip," is a Christian sacrament and ordinance signifying spiritual cleansing, rebirth, and initiation into the faith. It is a central rite in Christianity, symbolizing the believer's identification with the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Biblical Foundation
The practice of baptizing is rooted in the New Testament, where it is prominently featured in the ministry of John the Baptist and the teachings of Jesus Christ. John the Baptist, known for his call to repentance, baptized individuals in the Jordan River as a sign of their repentance and preparation for the coming Messiah. In Matthew 3:11 , John states, "I baptize you with water for repentance, but after me will come One more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire."

Jesus Himself was baptized by John, marking the beginning of His public ministry. This event is recorded in Matthew 3:16-17 : "As soon as Jesus was baptized, He went up out of the water. Suddenly the heavens were opened, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and resting on Him. And a voice from heaven said, 'This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.'"

The Great Commission
Baptizing is also a key component of the Great Commission, where Jesus commands His disciples to spread the Gospel and baptize new believers. In Matthew 28:19-20 , Jesus instructs, "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."

Theological Significance
Baptizing holds profound theological significance as it represents the believer's union with Christ. In Romans 6:3-4 , the Apostle Paul explains, "Or aren’t you aware that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? We were therefore buried with Him through baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may walk in newness of life."

Modes and Traditions
While immersion is the most common mode of baptizing, symbolizing the death and resurrection of Christ, other traditions, such as pouring or sprinkling, are also practiced within various Christian denominations. The mode of baptism often reflects theological interpretations and denominational beliefs.

Infant vs. Believer's Baptism
A significant theological discussion within Christianity concerns the subjects of baptism. Some denominations practice infant baptism, viewing it as a covenantal sign akin to circumcision in the Old Testament. Others advocate for believer's baptism, emphasizing personal faith and repentance as prerequisites for the rite. Acts 2:38 supports the latter view: "Peter 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.'"

Conclusion
Baptizing remains a vital expression of faith and obedience within the Christian tradition, symbolizing the believer's cleansing from sin, new life in Christ, and incorporation into the body of believers.(p. pr. & vb. n.) of Baptize.907. baptizo -- to dip, sink
... Word Origin from bapto Definition to dip, sink NASB Word Usage Baptist (3), baptize
(9), baptized (51), baptizes (1), baptizing (10), ceremonially washed (1 ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/907.htm - 9k

Of the Baptizing of Christ (Eight Articles)
... OF THE BAPTIZING OF CHRIST (EIGHT ARTICLES). We have now to consider the baptizing
of Christ, concerning which there are eight points of inquiry: ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/of the baptizing of christ.htm

Epistle Lxxv. To Magnus, on Baptizing the Novatians, and those who ...
... Epistle LXXV. To Magnus, on Baptizing the Novatians, and Those Who Obtain
Grace on a Sick-Bed. Argument."The Former Part of This ...
/.../cyprian/the epistles of cyprian/epistle lxxv to magnus on.htm

Jesus Baptizing and Preaching.
... PREPARATORY PREACHING JESUS BAPTIZING AND PREACHING. After these things
came Jesus and his disciples into the land of Judaea; and ...
//christianbookshelf.org/barton/his life/jesus baptizing and preaching.htm

Whether the Church Observes a Suitable Rite in Baptizing?
... OF THE SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM (TWELVE ARTICLES) Whether the Church observes
a suitable rite in baptizing? Objection 1: It seems that ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the church observes a.htm

Epistle Lxix. To Januarius and Other Numidian Bishops, on ...
... Epistle LXIX. To Januarius and Other Numidian Bishops, on Baptizing Heretics.
Argument."The Argument of This Letter and the Next ...
/.../cyprian/the epistles of cyprian/epistle lxix to januarius and.htm

John at ??non.
... John also was baptizing at ??non near to Salim. ... It explains "baptizing." "Much water"
was essential to baptism in New Testament times, and ??non provided it. ...
/.../johnson/the new testament commentary vol iii john/john at aenon.htm

Whether this be a Suitable Form of Baptism: "I Baptize Thee in the ...
... to make mention of the action done; thus he who teaches, need not say, "I teach
you." Now our Lord gave at the same time the precepts both of baptizing and of ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether this be a suitable.htm

Whether Several Can Baptize at the Same Time?
... the other without hands or arms; for then the mutilated person would have to pronounce
the words, and the dumb person would have to perform the act of baptizing ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether several can baptize at.htm

Of the Power of Conferring Baptism.
... But the woman of pertness, [8714] who has usurped the power to teach, will of course
not give birth for herself likewise to a right of baptizing, unless some ...
//christianbookshelf.org/tertullian/on baptism/chapter xvii of the power of.htm

Christ the Lamb of God.
... permit. After the temptation, Jesus returned to where John was baptizing,
and began the work of gathering about Him His apostles. ...
/.../i christ the lamb of god.htm

Baptizing (16 Occurrences)
...Baptizing (16 Occurrences). ... Mark 1:4 John came baptizing in the wilderness and preaching
the baptism of repentance for forgiveness of sins. (WEB WBS YLT NIV). ...
/b/baptizing.htm - 11k

Lutheran
... bapto. "Baptismos denotes the action of baptizein (the baptizing), baptisma
the result of the action (the baptism)" (Cremer). This ...
/l/lutheran.htm - 35k

Doctrine (52 Occurrences)
... bapto. "Baptismos denotes the action of baptizein (the baptizing), baptisma
the result of the action (the baptism)" (Cremer). This ...
/d/doctrine.htm - 57k

Bethabara (1 Occurrence)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary House of the ford, a place on the east bank of
the Jordan, where John was baptizing (John 1:28). It may ...
/b/bethabara.htm - 10k

Aenon (1 Occurrence)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. AENON. e'-non (Ainon): The place where John
was baptizing "because there was much water there" (John 3:23). ...
/a/aenon.htm - 8k

Andrew (12 Occurrences)
... departed along with a band of his countrymen to Bethabara (the Revised Version
(British and American) "Bethany") beyond Jordan, where John was baptizing (John ...
/a/andrew.htm - 20k

Nonimmersionist
... as those who had not, had to enter the Christian community by the door of Christian
baptism (Acts 19:3-6). The Jewish custom of baptizing, whether displayed in ...
/n/nonimmersionist.htm - 38k

Non-immersionist
... as those who had not, had to enter the Christian community by the door of Christian
baptism (Acts 19:3-6). The Jewish custom of baptizing, whether displayed in ...
/n/non-immersionist.htm - 38k

View (86 Occurrences)
... as those who had not, had to enter the Christian community by the door of Christian
baptism (Acts 19:3-6). The Jewish custom of baptizing, whether displayed in ...
/v/view.htm - 81k

Salim (1 Occurrence)
... sa'-lim (Saleim): A place evidently well known, since the position of Aenon, the
springs where John was baptizing, was defined by reference to it: they were ...
/s/salim.htm - 15k

What does the Bible say about how to get baptized / how to baptize? | GotQuestions.org

What is the Great Commission? | GotQuestions.org

Why is making disciples important? | GotQuestions.org

Baptizing: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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