Is there an analogy of “
Immersion Only Baptism” in Romans 6?
An analogy is a comparison between two things, typically for the purpose of explanation or clarification. Some individuals use the term analogy as an umbrella description for metaphors, parables or allegories. Others have distinct categories within the usage of term analogy such as illustrative analogy, ordered-pairs analogy, antithetical-pair analogy, etc. The common feature however of an analogy is a comparison of two distinct ideas, places, concepts or things.
Thus Paul compares Christ as a ‘rock’ (1 Cor. 10: 4), where he uses the account in Num. 20: 11 of the gushing of water out of a rock. In Eph 1:23, Paul compares the Church to Christ’s body. Paul states Christ is our Passover lamb referring to Ex. 12.
Credobaptists will import a comparison between
immersion only baptism into Romans 6:3-4,
where no such comparison exists contextually. This is the problem. Immersionists will tell us Paul’s usage of “burial” and “resurrection” is a picture of
immersion only baptism. This is a false analogy.
In Romans 6:1-7.Paul lists for great actions of Christ in this passage:
- · Crucifixion
- · Death
- · Burial
- · Resurrection.
Why do Credobaptists choose “burial” and “resurrection” in establishing the theory of
immersion only baptism and ignore “Crucifixion” and “Death?” Immersionists will gravitate to certain words of this passage and ignore others in formulating their theory of
immersion only baptism. This is committing the Fallacy of Biased Selectivity.
I have seen some Paedobaptists commit the same hermeneutical blunder. In reaction to the perceived notion the Credobaptists have the corner on the market of the “picture” as
immersion only Baptism, they use this text to establish “pouring” and “sprinkling” acceptable modes of baptism, to the exclusion of immersion.
In using the “death” action of Christ in Romans 6, some Paedobaptists will argue then the soldier lanced Christ’s side with blood and water pouring out of his side this represents pouring as a valid mode of baptism. After all they will say,
immersion only baptism doesn’t depict this symbolism. Or when Jesus had a crown of thorns place on his head and blood was pouring from his wounds, this also depicts “pouring.”
With reference to the sprinkling mode of baptism, some Paedobaptists will argue that Hebrews 9:22 “without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness” is a mode of baptism. After all they will say
, immersion only baptism doesn’t symbolize this either.
If we use the analogy of the ‘picture’ of baptism, we will get entangled in a rat’s nest of endless analogies and then the modes of baptism really become meaningless. If the Scriptural text specifically does NOT give us a paired comparison, we must not fabricate one.
