baptize/wash/dip

def:	1. to dip repeatedly, to immerse, to submerge (of vessels sunk)
	2. to cleanse by dipping or submerging, to wash, to make clean with water, to wash one's self, bathe
	3. to overwhelm

(for a more complete treatment of this doctrine read this)

First lets look at the words, the language... There are four Greek words that are read as some form of baptize;

Baptizo Baptisma Baptismos Baptistes

These all derive from one root word; "bapto" which means to "to cover wholly with a fluid;"
In four places these words are translated "wash" (Mark 7:4 & 8, Luke 11:37-38, Hebrews 9:10)
In three they are translated "dip" (Luke 16:24, John 13:26, Rev 19:13)
In all other cases we find some form of the word "baptize". This is a word made up by Religious scholars, by simply spelling the Greek word for English speakers... this is called "transliteration" NOT translation

What this means is that the men who WROTE the New Testament had no special word, like "Baptism" for the event they were describing.. they simply said "wash."

For instance;

• Matthew 3:11 the writer actually wrote; "... he shall wash(cover) you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:"
• Mark 1:8; "I indeed have washed(covered) you with water: but he shall wash(cover) you with the Holy Ghost."
• Matthew 28:19; "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, washing(immersing, dunking) them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:"

NO Greek scholar can contradict the above translation.

BUT - is it talking about WATER, dunking, getting people QUITE wet?

John-the-baptizer clearly got people wet! He often stood in the Jordan river, preaching and calling sinners to be baptized/washed for repentance, because the Messiah was coming soon!

Jesus followers were also Baptized/washed, in a similar manner to John's as there were repeated comparison to John's ministry of Baptism/washing.

In Acts chapter eight, the preacher Phillip , while teaching the word to a foreigner, is asked... Here is water, why can't I be baptized/washed? The man clearly understood from Phillip's teaching that he needed to be baptized/washed in water. Phillip, of course, baptized/washed the man. Later in Acts chapter ten, Peter clearly states that water is necessary to baptize/wash those in attendance

Peter's first letter mentions Baptism (chapter 3); first comparing it to the great Flood, then making a point that it not be confused with taking a bath to wash ones body, indicating that there was a similarity. Clearly referring to WATER in both cases.

Definitions From Strong's Concordance (electronic)
911	bapto, bap'-to; a prim. verb; to whelm,i.e. cover wholly with a fluid; i.e. (lit.) to moisten (a part of one's person), or (by impl.) to stain (as with dye):--dip
907	baptizo, bap-tid'-zo; from a derivative. of G911; to make fully wet; :--baptist, baptize, wash.
908	baptisma, bap'-tis-mah; from G907; baptism (techn. or fig.):--baptism.
909	baptismos, bap-tis-mos'; from G907; ablution (cerem. or Chr.):--baptism, washing.
910	Baptistes, bap-tis-tace'; from G907; a baptizer, as an epithet of Christ's forerunner:--Baptist

(for a more complete treatment of this doctrine read this)

~peace~