The scriptures teach; “Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death” (Ro. 6:4), Since baptism is a burial, there can be no “above ground” baptisms. One cannot sprinkle a little water or pour a little water, over someone’s head and call it a baptism any more than one could sprinkle a little dirt or pour a little dirt over one’s head and call it a burial. Baptism is defined by scripture as a burial.
The word “baptism” is a Greek word that means to bury something (a dirty dish, or a repentant sinner) under water. The Greek scholar Vine defines baptism as an “immersion, submersion and emergence.” This meaning is clear in the scriptures. “They both went down into the water [immersion], Philip and the eunuch, and he baptized him[submersion]. When they came up out of the water [emergence]…he went on his way rejoicing” (Ac. 8:38,39).
In baptism our old man of sin is buried. This action is done to forgive our sins as we reenact Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection. “Having been buried with Him in baptism in which you were also raised up with Him through faith” (Co. 2:12). It is not done above ground but under water. Have you been buried with the Lord in baptism?
-Dennis Doughty