baptizō

Semantic range

1. 1to dip or plunge under
2. 2to overwhelm (used of ships sinking and of being overwhelmed by calamity)
3. 3to baptise ritually

The word is not ambiguous. Classical Greek uses baptizō of sinking ships and of dyeing cloth by dipping — the point is submersion, and the New Testament writers had a perfectly good word for sprinkling (rhantizō) which they never use for baptism. The KJV's translators transliterated rather than translated it, which is why English has "baptise" instead of "immerse."

The mode carries the doctrine. Paul reads immersion as burial and resurrection (Romans 6:3–5), which is why 3 Nephi 11:26 and D&C 20:73–74 specify immersion and give the exact words, and why the Restoration treats the ordinance's form as revealed rather than incidental.

Where it appears

• Romans 6:3–5Buried with him by baptism into death; raised in newness of life.
• 3 Nephi 11:22–27The Savior gives the exact manner and words.
• D&C 20:72–74The modern instruction: immersion, and the prayer.

See also

• מַיִםmayim
• διαθήκηdiathēkē
• ἅγιοςhagios