Baptism by immersion is the original method as demonstrated in the examples of John, who required an abundance of water to fully cover his followers, and Jesus Christ, who came up from the water after being in it. Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch also went down into the water together for baptism. The Greek word "baptizo," from which "baptize" is derived, means to immerse or plunge into, distinct from words used for pouring or sprinkling. Through this act of immersion, we symbolize our belief and acceptance of Christ's death, burial, and resurrection, showing our desire to be united with Him in both. Being put into the water represents the death of the old self with its sinful ways, being completely covered symbolizes burial, and being raised from the water pictures a resurrection to a new life, signifying our commitment to live righteously before God.

There is much confusion in the world over baptism, with variations such as sprinkling or partial submersion for convenience. True baptism, however, is a profound and essential step, symbolizing faith in the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ. It is a required ordinance for those called by God to begin the process of conversion and salvation, representing a once-in-a-lifetime commitment that must be conducted with the right understanding and authority to be recognized by Him. Baptism by immersion, as exemplified by Jesus Christ, involves being fully plunged into water, not merely sprinkled or poured upon. Jesus Himself was immersed, coming up out of the water, setting the example for us to follow. The Greek word "baptizo," meaning to immerse or put into, confirms this practice, distinguishing it from sprinkling or pouring, which do not carry the same symbolic weight. This act of immersion pictures a burial in a watery grave and a rising to a new, righteous life, mirroring the death and resurrection of Christ, as well as the crucifixion and burial of the old, sinning self. The symbolism of baptism is further enriched by Old Testament examples, such as the Israelites' crossing of the Red Sea, where they were immersed in the cloud and sea, leaving behind their old lives in Egypt and emerging into a new way of life by God's grace. Similarly, Noah and the flood represent a type of baptism, with water surrounding the ark as a precursor to the spiritual cleansing and renewal baptism signifies. Baptism also symbolizes purification, preparing a person for the receipt of the Holy Spirit. It is a command from God, and while it does not itself save, it is essential as an act of obedience, picturing the remission of sins through Christ's death and the hope of salvation through His resurrection. Noncompliance with this ordinance would be disobedience, risking the loss of salvation. Therefore, a person should be baptized as soon as possible after repentance and faith are evident, without unnecessary delay, understanding the profound commitment it entails to walk in newness of life under God's government.

Baptism by immersion is the scripturally required form, as the Greek word "baptizo" means to immerse, plunge into, or submerge. This understanding is clear from the root "bapto," which means to dip, like plunging a ladle into liquid. According to definitions from sources like Thayer's Lexicon, baptism involves immersion in water as a sign of the removal of sin, administered to those seeking salvation and admission to the benefits of the Messiah's kingdom. There is no other valid form; sprinkling or other methods do not align with the meaning of the word itself. Biblical accounts reinforce this practice of full immersion. In the baptism of Jesus Christ, as recorded in Matthew 3, He came up from the water, indicating He was fully immersed, having been in it. Similarly, in John 3, John the Baptist chose a location with a great deal of water to perform baptisms, suggesting the necessity of immersion rather than merely sprinkling. Another example in Acts 8 describes the baptism of the Ethiopian eunuch by Philip, where both went down into the water, clearly showing immersion as the method used. The symbolism and significance of immersion are profound. Baptism represents a death, burial, and resurrection. Going under the water symbolizes the death of the old self, the water acts as a grave, and coming up signifies a resurrection to a new life. This act marks a clear demarcation between an old life of sin and a new life of righteousness, reflecting a commitment to live sinlessly in service to God and fellow man. It also serves as a sign of redemption, showing that Christ paid for sins and freed believers from sin's grip, paralleling Israel's deliverance through the Red Sea as a type of baptism. Furthermore, baptism foreshadows the ultimate resurrection to eternal life, aligning with Christ's own resurrection to spiritual life. Finally, it is an outward sign of being under grace, indicating pardon by God and the receipt of gifts necessary to grow and attain the Kingdom of God.