Baptism is the immersion of a believer in water by a proper administrator—one who has been baptized by immersion, in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost. Matthew 28:19; Mark 16:15-16; Acts 8:36-39.

Question: What is the meaning of the word “Baptism”?

Answer: The Greek words “Baptizo and Baptisma” are Anglicized, not translated. The word Baptizo means to dip, plunge, immerse, bathe, overwhelm. “Bap” means to strike; “tizo,” to tie over. The minister in baptizing the candidate strikes the water with the candidate and the water ties over the candidate, and overwhelms them in baptism.

It was instituted by Christ. Mark 1:4; Matthew 3:13, 16, 17, 28:19-20; Luke 1:16.

Its administration must be by the proper administrator in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost. Matthew 3:6; Acts 8:33; Romans 6:4; and Colossians 2:12.

It is subjective. Baptism is to be administered to those, and those only, who have truly repented of their sins and been born again and believe in Jesus Christ and who have received the Holy Ghost. Mark 16:16; Acts 2:41; 8:13-36.

It is commemorative. Baptists point back to Christ in His humiliation death, burial and resurrection. This ordinance should keep constantly in the minds of both the candidate and congregation the sacrifice of Him who died for our sins and rose again for our justification. It testifies that He suffered, died and was buried and rose from the dead to perfect the work of redemption. What Christ did and suffered gives to this ordinance its significant force. Romans 6:8; Colossians 11:12; Ephesians 4:5. If the past could be forgotten, this sacred ordinance would lose its oral power.

It is predictive. It predicts the resurrection of the body from the grave when one rises from baptismal waters. Romans 6:4; I Corinthians 15:29.

It is emblematic. The symbolism of the sacred rite teaches the great cardinal doctrine of the gospel. Luke 5:8; I Corinthians 12:13; Galatians 2:21; Titus 3:5; I Peter 3:21.

Holy Communion and the Feet Washing Rites

Under the Jewish ceremonial custom, feet washing was practiced. We read of Abraham’s conversation with the three men he saw sitting in his tent door in Genesis 18:4 “let a little water, I pray you be fetched, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree.” “And he said, Behold now, my lords, turn in, I pray you, into your servant’s house, and tarry all night, and wash your feet, and ye shall rise up early, and go on your ways.” (Genesis 19:2). “And the man came into the house: and he ungirded his camels, and gave straw and provender for the camels, and water to wash his feet and the men’s feet that were with him.” (Genesis 24:32). “And the man brought the men into Joseph’s house, and gave them water, and they washed their feet; and he gave their asses provender. (Genesis 43:24)

“And she arose, and bowed herself on her face to earth, and said, Behold, let thine handmaid be a servant to wash the feet of the servants of my lord. (I Samuel 25:41) “And David said to Uriah, Go down to thy house and wash thy feet.” (II Samuel 11:8) “I have put off my coat; how shall I put it on? I have washed my feet; how shall I defile them?” (Songs of Solomon 5:3)

The above statements from the Old Testament tell about the ceremonial form of feet washing. It was their custom, and those who were active in ceremony at that time were led by God. Primitive Baptists do not perform this service as a Jewish tradition or custom, but as a matter of faith in Christ and in obedience to the example given by Him. We believe that while here on earth in person, He set in order the things belonging to His Church, which things He advises His children to faithfully observe until He comes to gather up His Jewels.

Christ the great Head of the Church, established the rite of the feet washing in the 13 th Chapter of John; therefore, it is an example. He gave a copy, the real pattern and precedent. If ye love me, keep my words. It’s a judgment; a sentence! “If I wash thee not, thou has no part with me.” (John 13:8) It is a command, to order, to direct. “If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet, ye also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done.” (John 13:13-14) “If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them. (John 13:17)

This ordinance teaches obedience; it teaches submission to authority. “If any man serve me, let him follow me.” Hath the Lord has great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.” (I Samuel 15:22) “We ought to obey God rather than men.” (Acts 5:29) It teaches humility that we should at all times be willing to humbly perform a duty enforced upon us by our blessed Master without stopping to inquire what should be the result of the service. He knows best for us. We shall lay aside all pride and show a meek, lowly and loving spirit. It requires true faith in Christ to perform this humble Christian duty to each other.

It is a Church ordinance. Christ instituted the Holy Supper and Feet Washing, and if we love Christ we will follow Him and do whatever He commands us to do. This Sacramental service is not completed until feet washing is performed. In addition to Christ’s statement in giving instruction to the church, the Apostle Paul, in advising as to the character of the widows who shall be taken under special watch care and the support of the church, said in I Timothy 5:9-10: “Let not a widow be taken into the number under three score years old, having been the wife of one man, Well reported of for good works: if she have brought up children, if she have lodged strangers, if she have washed the saints’ feet, if she have relieved the afflicted, if she have diligently followed every good work.”

This shows conclusively that Feet Washing was practiced in the Apostolic or Primitive Church. We note Feet Washing in the New Testament. It was Mary who anointed the Lord with ointment and wiped his feet with hair. “Then took Mary a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair; and the house was filled with the odor of the ointment.” (John 12:3) “… and stood at His feet behind weeping, and began to wash His feet with tears, and to wipe them with hairs of her head.” (Luke 7:38)