Why baptism

[Nathan]

This is one of those threads where I can't wait to get to the end so I can jump in and swim with you guys to!!!

I am a bit baffled that no one seems to have posted their definition of "baptised".  For me, there are actually two separate meanings used for this Greek word.  I don't remember where it is now, but there was a chef that had a Greek background who wrote some instructions for a recipe and in it, he used both definitions for "baptize".  In layman's terns.  One definition meanst to "dip" which only makes sense.  But it's the other one that really jumped out at me . . .it takes the "dipping" to the next level.  It actually means "pickled". 

It's not about getting wet in water, it's about the old man becoming like the seed where it dies, but then out of that death resurrects a new creature . .one that may have the same form on the outside, but has been totally transformed on the inside.  You may still look like the same cucumber when you went in, but after you come out . . .those who taste you find that the solution that you went into has now permeated all through you and the flavor of your nature has changed.  THAT'S the kind of baptism I can get into!!

Now, as to the water baptsims . . .I can't really apply the Hebrews 6 passage to this (laying down the milk and reaching for the meat) because for me, water baptism is primarilty for infancy.  Was Jesus an infant when he was baptised?  For one, there's no record that the priests baptized him when they first brought him to the temple . . .I'm not personally into baptizing babies.  I think people should be old enough to know what it's about and make a personal decision to do it themselves.

But for the spiritual infants . . .no, Jesus wasn't one, but his ministry "was".  A lot was going on when he was baptized.  First of all . . .what was it he was baptized "in"?  It wasn't just "any" river . . .it was the "Jordan".  Whcih literally means "descending" which is connected to our word for "death".  He was baptized, changed, from the kingdom of light and life, to this realm of death . . .but not so that death would be a part of him, but that he would overcome the power of death.

It's the same picture as when the Israelites first crossed this same river after their wilderness experience of 40 years was over.  It was out of it's banks . . .death always is. . . .and the moment those who were carrying the ark upon their shoulders had their feet touch the waters of death, the entire river backed up . . .not just to give them a place to cross . . .but where did it back up "to"?  A specific city is mentioned.  This river of death retreated all the way back to a city called . . .ADAM!! 

Water baptism is an outward manifestation of an inward transformation that we are no longer under the control and bondage of the old "doom and gloom" thinking of our carnal man.  But the prison bars have been transformed from bondage to freedom and a water baptism is merely a testimony of what is already transpired within us. 

And on a personal note, being a pastor, I have been involved in baptisms both "in" and "out" of the church walls.  And I personally would never do another baptism in a church baptistry.  I'm not condeming those that do, but there's such a greater testimony to the world, and our real neighbors when we go to the local parks or close-by rivers . . .it could even be something you could do at the city pool if that were to be allowed . . .but the whole point of water baptism is not so you can stand in front of your "church" family and proclaim what they already know . . .it's such a greater affect when you do something of this nature out on the river banks and let those who . . .well, . .they were just wanting to try to catch a fish, come back home that day with a memory of seeing a real, life changing baptism take place . . .

I promise you, they'll be so much greater affected than an entire church congregation just there to clap for you and sing a hymn while wating for the next one to do the same.

[WhiteWings]

1 Peter 3
19 By means of the Spirit, Christ went and preached to the spirits in prison.

We have to make one correction in the NASB translation above. The phrase "went and" in verse 19 is NOT in the original Greek text. It does NOT say that He WENT AND preached, as if to conjure up the image of a circuit-riding preacher. The text actually reads that Jesus was "made alive in the spirit; in which [resurrected body] also He made proclamation to the spirits now in prison."

In other words He was raised from the dead as a life-giving spirit (1 Cor. 15:45) and given a resurrected body, in which He made His proclamation to the spirits in prison—that is, in Tartarus. His very resurrection (or embodiment) was the proclamation. His resurrection into a physical body made of flesh and bone (Luke 24:39) was the proclamation of His enthronement over all, including the angels that sinned (or "spirits in prison").

http://www.gods-kingdom-ministries.org/COLDFUSION/Chapter.cfm?CID=81