Hebrews 6:1
Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God,
Hebrews 6:2
Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.
Define terms:
Question: What does the word 'baptism' mean?
Study Step #1
- Find the Concordance Tab
- Search the New Testament verse: Hebrews 6:2
- Click the orange 'toggle' icon to unhide the Strong's numbers
- Copy & Paste this verse into My Notes
Hebrews 6:2 Of the doctrine G1322 of baptisms G909, and G5037 of laying on 1936 of hands G5495, and G5037 of resurrection G386 of the dead G3498, and G2532 of eternal G166 judgment G2917.
Question: Can we better define 'baptism' by its word family relationships?
Study Step #2
- Go to the Greek Roots tab
- Enter in the search box: 909
Sample Questions:
- What is the Root, (blue labeled) word of 'baptism',( G909)?
List all the ways this Root is translated. - What is the Secondary (red labeled) branch?
List all the ways the Secondary branch is translated. - Are there any other sub-branches connected to our word 'baptism?
List these sub-branches and how they are translated. - Can you define the word 'baptism' using some of the family words?
Write a summary of the origin and development of the word 'baptism'
- What is the Root, (blue labeled) word of 'baptism',( G909)?
Collect Scriptures
We now have defined the word 'baptism' by Scriptural word relationships. Next we will take a look at how the Lord uses this word in the Scriptures.
Question: Where are all the places the word 'baptism', G909, is found in the Scriptures?
Study Step #3
- Go to the Concordance Tab
- Enter 909
- Select G909 (Greek 909)
(Note: The following is a list of 'baptism; G909, that also includes the root, G907, to baptize.)
G909 baptism
Mark 7:4 And when they come from the market, except they wash, they eat not. And many other things there be, which they have received to hold, as the washing of cups, and pots, brasen vessels, and of tables.
Mark 7:8 For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do.
Hebrews 6:2 Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.
Hebrews 9:10 Which stood only in meats and drinks, and divers washings, and carnal ordinances, imposed on them until the time of reformation.
G907 to baptize [partial list]
Matthew 3:11 I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:
Matthew 28:19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
Mark 16:16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
Acts 1:5 For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.
Acts 2:38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
Acts 2:41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.
Acts 8:36 And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?
Romans 6:3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?
Galatians 3:27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
Question: What does 'baptism' mean from these Scriptures?
Study Step #4
- Ask questions from God's commentary concerning 'baptism'.
- As you read the above Scriptures, make a list of questions that each passage answers. Copy and paste each passage that answers these questions.
Sample questions:
- Are there different kinds of baptisms?
- If there are different kinds of baptisms, who is the one performing the baptism?
- Who is a candidate for baptism?
- Is baptism a command?
- What does water baptism picture?
- Does our position with God change after our baptism?
Expand Your Search
Question: What do the surrounding Scriptures (context) tell me about the word 'baptism'?
Study Step #5
- Go to the Interlinear Tab
- Enter the verse
- Make a note of key words that are connected to baptism in this verse
Example: Galatians 3:27 For G1063 as many of you as G3745 have been baptized G907 (G5681) into G1519 Christ G5547 have put on G1746 (G5668) Christ G5547.
- Questions that we might ask:
- What does the phrase 'into Christ' mean?
- What does it mean to 'put on' Christ?
Question: What do the Old Testament Scriptures teach us about baptism?
For the Old Testament Scriptural study, follow the same steps above. If possible find a direct quote that is used in the New Testament. You then will know that there is a direct match between the Old and New Testament words.
There are no direct matches for baptism
A word of explanation: The word 'baptism' is a transliterated word. A transliterated word is a word that was taken from Hebrew or Greek and placed directly into the English language. Other examples of transliterated Greek words in the New Testament are these: apostle, apostacy, synagogue, and presbytery. Some examples of transliterated words from the Hebrew into Greek and then into English are the following: 'Messiah' and 'hosanna'.
The word 'baptism' is alluded to in the Old Testament in these Scriptures:
Genesis 37:31 And they took Joseph's coat, and killed a kid of the goats, and dipped H2881 the coat in the blood;
2 Kings 5:14 Then went he down, and dipped H2881 himself seven times in Jordan, according to the saying of the man of God: and his flesh came again like unto the flesh of a little child, and he was clean.
2 Kings 8:15 And it came to pass on the morrow, that he took a thick cloth, and dipped H2881 it in water, and spread it on his face, so that he died: and Hazael reigned in his stead.