“…The Greek word for baptism used in the NT is a non-modal word: it tells what was done, but does not specify how it was done….”

Context is king.

The Greek word for baptism used in the NT is a non-modal word: it tells what was done, but does not specify how it was done.

The mode is not essential to the ordinance. All modes are acceptable, but not all modes are strictly valid in terms of the Biblical text itself.

I have presented the evidence extensively in my published work, The New Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

In that work I present the strongest possible arguments I could muster for the immersionist viewpoint at Romans 6:4.

I presented the evidence for non-immersion at Colossians 2:11, 12 and many other passages in full.

I am perfectly happy to let each individual, each church, each denomination determine what mode of baptism to practice.

What I am absolutely against is for any group or individual to claim that the mode they prefer is the exclusively correct mode.

Everyone must obey the command in Romans 15:7, “Wherefore receive ye one another, as Christ also received us, to the glory of God.”

To exclude a fellow believer because that fellow believer does not agree with the choice of mode your group practices is a direct violation of Romans 15:7. Read the cross references I have given in The New Treasury of Scripture Knowledge for Romans 15:7 and you will see that God considers this matter a most serious issue!

Here is a link to his works on amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=baptizo&x=0&y=0

When scripture says to “baptize in the name” of someone, it literally means to immerse into or identify with everything which the name covers and stands for. Being baptized in the name of Christ means to become acquainted with Him and all that He stands for. or in other words to preach the Gospel. Being ‘baptized into Him’ literally means to be immersed into Him so that we are one body in Him, and again has nothing to do with water.

It’s important to translate the term as we read the passages because our English Bibles only transliterate this widely misunderstood term. Sure there are references to the water ceremony, but primarily only related to the baptism of John in the Gospels for repentance, and the apostles continuing the practice in the first half of Acts. Never however is this baptism (immersion) said to save, and is actually specifically said not to:

1Peter 3:21-22 Corresponding to that, baptism now saves you–not the removal of dirt from the flesh, but an appeal to God for a good conscience–through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who is at the right hand of God, having gone into heaven, after angels and authorities and powers had been subjected to Him.

Luke 3:16 John answered and said to them all, “As for me, I baptize you with water; but One is coming who is mightier than I, and I am not fit to untie the thong of His sandals; He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.

In discussions of mode, it is always good to remember what the Didache says. Here’s Didache 7, my own translation:

1 And concerning baptism, baptize in this way: having reviewed all of these things, baptize in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, in running water. 2 But if you do not have access to running water, baptize in other water. And if you are not able to baptize with cold water, then baptize with warm water. 3 But if you possess neither, pour water on the head three times, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. 4 And before the baptism the baptizer should fast beforehand, and the one being baptized, and any others who are able. Call upon the one being baptized to fast beforehand for one or two days.

Verses 2-3 are the kickers. Basically, the important thing is to baptize, the method you use when baptizing is secondary. No ‘running’ water? Ok, use ‘other’ water. No cold water? Warm water is OK. If you have no water to hand, then just dump some on the head three times.

Whatever the ‘meaning’ of ???????, it’s clear that those early folks (at least those who used the Didache or something like it) didn’t care enough about mode to postpone a baptism. They’d rather “pour water on the head three times” than wait until they found a source for cold, running water.