Lexical Summary
baptisma: Baptism
Original Word: βάπτισμα
Part of Speech: Noun, Neuter
Transliteration: baptisma
Pronunciation: bap'-tis-mah
Phonetic Spelling: (bap'-tis-mah)
KJV: baptism
NASB: baptism
Word Origin: [from G907 (βαπτίζω - baptized)]
1. immersion (technically or figuratively)
Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
baptism.
From baptizo; baptism (technically or figuratively) -- baptism.
see GREEK baptizo
HELPS Word-studies
Cognate: 908 báptisma – baptism (note the -ma suffix, emphasizing it is a result, i.e. of sincere repentance.) 908 (báptisma) indicates submerging (dipping, immersion).
NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Originfrom
baptizóDefinition(the result of) a dipping or sinking
NASB Translationbaptism (20).
Thayer's Greek Lexicon
STRONGS NT 908: βάπτισμαβάπτισμα,
βαπτίσματος,
τό (
βαπτίζω), a word peculiar to N. T. and ecclesiastical writings,
immersion, submersion;
1. used tropically of calamities and afflictions with which one is quite overwhelmed: Matthew 20:22f Rec.; Mark 10:38; Luke 12:50 (see βαπτίζω, I. 3).
2. of John's baptism, that purificatory rite by which men on confessing their sins were bound to a spiritual reformation, obtained the pardon of their past sins and became qualified for the benefits of the Messiah's kingdom soon to be set up: Matthew 3:7; Matthew 21:25; Mark 11:30; Luke 7:29; Luke 20:4; Acts 1:22; Acts 10:37; Acts 18:25; (
3. of Christian baptism; this, according to the view of the apostles, is a rite of sacred immersion, commanded by Christ, by which men confessing their sins and professing their faith in Christ are born again by the Holy Spirit unto a new life, come into the fellowship of Christ and the church (1 Corinthians 12:13), and are made partakers of eternal salvation; (but see article in BB. DD., McClintock and Strong's Cyclopaedia, Schaff-Herzog): Ephesians 4:5; Colossians 2:12 (L marginal reading Tr βαπτισμῷ which see); 1 Peter 3:21; εἰς τόν θάνατον Romans 6:4 (see βαπτίζω, II.
b. aa. at the end). (Trench, § xcix.)
Topical Lexicon
OverviewStrong’s Greek 908, βάπτισμα, designates the act and ordinance of baptism. Across twenty-one New Testament occurrences the term embraces everything from John’s preparatory call to repentance, to the believer’s union with Christ in His death and resurrection, to the church’s public confession of faith. Each context unfolds complementary facets of a single divine institution that binds the covenants together and testifies to the gospel’s power.
Old Testament Background and Intertestamental Developments
Although βάπτισμα itself is New Testament vocabulary, its roots lie in Israel’s ceremonial washings (for example, Exodus 30:17-21) and prophetic imagery of cleansing (Isaiah 52:15; Ezekiel 36:25-27). Jewish proselyte immersion and Qumranic lustrations prepared first-century minds to grasp a decisive, once-for-all washing that would accompany the Messianic age. These antecedents explain why John could summon Israel to the Jordan and be immediately understood (Matthew 3:5-6).
John’s Baptism
“John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins” (Mark 1:4). All four Gospels, Acts and Paul’s sermons remember this event (Matthew 3:7; Mark 1:4; Luke 3:3; John 1:31 implied; Acts 10:37; Acts 13:24). John’s baptism:
• signified urgent repentance in light of imminent judgment (Matthew 3:7-10);
• pointed away from himself toward “the Lamb of God” who would baptize with the Holy Spirit (John 1:29-33);
• created a people ready to receive their Messiah, as Jesus testifies: “The baptism of John—was it from heaven or from men?” (Matthew 21:25).
Yet John’s baptism was preparatory. Paul later met disciples who knew “only the baptism of John” (Acts 19:3) and directed them to Christ for the promised Spirit (Acts 19:4-6).
Baptism and Jesus Christ
Jesus both received and redefined baptism. Submitting to John “to fulfill all righteousness” (Matthew 3:15), He identified with sinners He came to save. Later He spoke of His crucifixion as an impending βάπτισμα: “I have a baptism to undergo, and how distressed I am until it is accomplished!” (Luke 12:50). Likewise He asked James and John, “Can you drink the cup I drink, or be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with?” (Mark 10:38-39). Thus water baptism anticipates and derives its meaning from the Cross.
Apostolic Teaching on Baptism
1. Birth of the Church: Peter’s Pentecost call implicitly includes baptism (Acts 2:38, using the cognate verb), and Acts narrates its consistent practice.
2. Gentile Inclusion: Cornelius’s household, having received the Spirit, is commanded to be baptized (Acts 10:47-48), showing the rite’s universality.
3. Pauline Theology: “We were therefore buried with Him through baptism into death” (Romans 6:4), revealing union with Christ’s death, burial and resurrection.
4. Ecclesial Unity: “One Lord, one faith, one baptism” (Ephesians 4:5) places baptism among the non-negotiable bonds of Christian oneness.
5. Salvation’s Pledge: “Baptism… now saves you—not the removal of dirt from the body, but the pledge of a clear conscience toward God—through the resurrection of Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 3:21). Peter safeguards against ritualism while affirming salvific significance tethered to resurrection power.
Symbolic Meaning and Spiritual Realities
• Cleansing: an outward sign of inward purification (Acts 22:16; implied).
• Identification: incorporation into the Triune name (Matthew 28:19) and into Christ’s body (1 Corinthians 12:13, verb form).
• Death and Resurrection: burial of the old self and emergence of the new (Romans 6:4; Colossians 2:12, cognate).
• Covenant Sign: inaugurates believers into the New Covenant community, paralleling—yet surpassing—Old Testament circumcision (Colossians 2:11-12).
Modes and Recipients
The lexical sense of immersion, the Jordan setting, and language of going “into” and coming “up out of” the water (Mark 1:10; Acts 8:38-39) support baptism by immersion. The consistent New Testament pattern is believer’s baptism following personal faith and repentance (Acts 2:41; Acts 18:8). Household scenes never contradict this pattern, as faith is always explicit or implied for each member (Acts 16:31-34).
Ecclesiological Implications
Baptism functions as the doorway into visible fellowship. The early church would not separate baptism from teaching, fellowship, breaking of bread and prayer (Acts 2:41-42). It visibly delineates the people who are “in Christ,” forming the basis for discipline (Matthew 18:17) and unity (Ephesians 4:5).
Eschatological Dimension
The forward-looking aspect of baptism surfaces in Romans 6 and 1 Peter 3. Having been raised with Christ, believers “shall also live with Him” (Romans 6:8). Peter links baptism to the flood, a type of final judgment, assuring saints of safe passage through coming wrath by virtue of resurrection union.
Key Theological Affirmations
• Baptism is commanded by the risen Lord (Matthew 28:19-20).
• It is not meritorious but instrumental, conveying grace as it expresses faith.
• It is unrepeatable, for the believer shares once for all in Christ’s death and resurrection.
• It stands alongside Word and Table as a primary means by which the church proclaims the gospel.
Pastoral and Practical Application
Baptismal candidates should profess personal trust in Christ, understand the gospel’s essentials, and commit to lifelong discipleship. Congregations ought to teach the meaning of baptism, guard its integrity, and celebrate it as a joyous testimony. Reminding believers of their baptism fortifies assurance, fuels holiness (“consider yourselves dead to sin,” Romans 6:11), and motivates unity (“one baptism,” Ephesians 4:5).
Summary
Strong’s 908 encapsulates the New Testament ordinance whereby repentant believers are immersed in water to declare publicly and symbolically their participation in the saving work of Jesus Christ, receive assurance of cleansing, and are incorporated into the one body under one Lord. From John’s preparatory call to the apostolic proclamation, βάπτισμα witnesses to the coherence of God’s redemptive plan and summons the church to live out the reality it signifies.
Forms and Transliterations
βαπτισμα βάπτισμα βαπτισματι βαπτίσματι βαπτισματος βαπτίσματος βαπτισμῷ baptisma báptisma baptismatos baptísmatos baptismo baptismō baptismôi baptismō̂i
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