My pastor and I were discussing baptism and he believes baptism by immersion is the only way. I told him id send him a little email why sprinkling seems scriptual.
Before i send it i figured i woul post it here and see if anyone has anything i should add or subtract. Thanks

"We talked about baptism by immersion and sprinkling in the van, you said you thought immersion was the only scriptural way. I said some people use Col. 2:12 to support that baptism actually represents being buried and resurrected with Christ. One of the major reasons why I object to this is because baptism does not signify the death and resurrection of Christ like the Lords Supper. Baptism symbolizes the work of the holy spirit as circumcision pointed to the work of the holy spirit. Here are 3 biblical symbols of the holy spirit.

1. Oil-1 Sam:1-6; 1 Sam 16 notice the oil is poured

2. water- Ezekiel 36:25-27 "I will sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall he clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you And I will put my spirit within you..."

Matt 3:16 there are 2 baptisms and the water baptism symbolizes the spirit baptism. Notice the spirit descended onto him and he was not immersed in it. Check out this verse in the ESV and notice that Jesus "went up from the water."

John 7: 37-39

3. fire -Acts 2:3-4

Notice the way all of these symbols are applied and that they point to the spirits work and not Christ's redemptive work.

1 John 5:8 "the Spirit, the water and the blood; and the three are in agreement" They all signify cleansing, but could they also be in agreement because they all are administered in the same way.



You also said you use the meaning of the word baptizo to support baptism by immersion. In Luke 11:37-38 the Pharisee was surprised Jesus had not first bathed (baptizo) himself before dinner. I don't think The Pharisee thought Jesus should have immersed himself in a bathtub before dinner but he should of washed up. In Heb 9:10 the greek word is translated "washings." If you look at Matthew 3:11-12 John the baptist says he baptizes with water but the one more powerful then him will baptize with the spirit. If we are consistent with the word baptizo in that passage, then it we would have to say that we are immersed in the spirit, which is not the case. It is obvious that we should not understand the mode of baptism by the greek word when we see that the word for the Lords Supper (deipnon) signifies a full meal."