I just read this article while preparing for my Sunday sermon, from the Enhanced Strong's Lexicon:

907 βαπτίζω [baptizo /bap·tid·zo/] verb.1 to dip repeatedly, to immerse, to submerge (of vessels sunk). 2 to cleanse by dipping or submerging, to wash, to make clean with water, to wash one’s self, bathe. 3 to overwhelm. Additional Information: Not to be confused with 911, bapto. The clearest example that shows the meaning of baptizo is a text from the Greek poet and physician Nicander, who lived about 200 B.C. It is a recipe for making pickles and is helpful because it uses both words. Nicander says that in order to make a pickle, the vegetable should first be ‘dipped’ (bapto) into boiling water and then ‘baptised’ (baptizo) in the vinegar solution. Both verbs concern the immersing of vegetables in a solution. But the first is temporary. The second, the act of baptising the vegetable, produces a permanent change.When used in the New Testament, this word more often refers to our union and identification with Christ than to our water baptism. e.g. Mark 16:16. ‘He that believes and is baptised shall be saved’. Christ is saying that mere intellectual assent is not enough. There must be a union with him, a real change, like the vegetable to the pickle! (Bible Study Magazine, James Montgomery Boice, May 1989.)

That is an awesome illustration! Our baptism as Christians has two parts. The first is a water baptism. According to Paul, our baptism unites us with Christ. Some believe that we are actually saved by the act of baptism. I believe the Bible makes it clear that we are saved by faith alone, not works. Therefore, the act of baptism cannot save us.

Others believe that water baptism is a symbol, an outward declaration that we are now believers in Christ. It is symbolic of being cleansed, washed of our sins. I believe this is true. However, I think there is more to this ritual.

The Jews were part of God's chosen people by birth, but each individual (males, anyway), had to enter into that covenant in a formal way.

A covenant is a very serious agreement between two parties, that can never be broken. There are covenants between peers, and a Suzerian covenant that is between a lord or master, and a peasant. In that covenant, the master offers all the benefits, and the peasant offers undying loyalty. There is a ceremony sealing that covenant.

God made such a covenant with Abraham. Part of the ceremonial sealing of this agreement was circumcision. It was a vital part of the drama, and the covenant was not complete without it.

Through Jesus, we have a covenant with God. He makes us His children, and offers us eternal life. We seal that covenant through the act of baptism.

The second part of our baptism is being filled with the Holy Spirit. Jesus told the disciples in Acts 1:4b-5: “Do not leave Jerusalem until the Father sends you the gift he promised, as I told you before. John baptized with water, but in just a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”

I have been pondering the meaning of baptism, and why being filled with the Holy Spirit is called baptism by Jesus. Of course there is the idea that water baptism symbolizes being washed, and the Holy Spirit actually makes us clean on the inside. We are promised that God will actually change our hearts in several places in the Old Testament, including this passage from Ezekiel 11:19-20: ^"And I will give them singleness of heart and put a new spirit within them. I will take away their stony, stubborn heart and give them a tender, responsive heart, so they will obey my decrees and regulations. Then they will truly be my people, and I will be their God."

But there is another aspect to this baptism that this article I quoted at the beginning helped me to understand.

In water baptism, we are dipped, like the vegetable that is being pickled is dipped into the boiling water. Of course our baptism is permanent, not needing to be repeated. But we can't stay in the water. We may have died to self, but we still have to live! Besides, our toes would get all wrinkled if this water baptism was a constant experience.

But when we are baptized with the Holy Spirit, we are to remain in Him. He is to fill us, and we are to remain filled. Of course there are times when that filling is made new again, refreshed in a sense. But should the Spirit ever leave us, we are in deep trouble.

So Lord, pickle me! I don't mean make me sour! I mean, fill me with Your Holy Spirit, and let it be forever!