"Mysterion" or the Sacrament of Baptism originates from the Greek term "baptizein" (to "wash" or "immerse"), and its verb form "baptizo" ("to wash" or "immerse").
Because of its literal meaning, baptism is closely connected to the element of WATER. What and why is it related to water? Water is a crucial element in the universe's existence, as nothing exists without water.
Similarly, when God created the universe, everything emerged from water, as seen in the second day of creation (Gen 1:6-10).
After the light on the first day, God established water as a significant element on the second day.
Christian baptism, in terms of its typology, began in ancient times with the event of the Great Flood (Genesis 7:10).
The Great Flood occurred because humanity had become exceedingly sinful, defying their Creator, so God needed to "wash away" those sins. For 150 days, the cosmos was immersed in rainwater, lasting for 40 days and 40 nights.
In this event, everything with breath perished in the floodwaters, except for Noah's family and a selection of animals aboard the ark. Here, water is associated with the act of destruction.
Similarly, the significance of Christian baptism is further emphasized in the event of the Israelites crossing the Red Sea (Exodus 14:22).
At that time, the Israelites, led by the Prophet Moses, were being pursued by Pharaoh and his army. Through His servant Moses, God parted the waters of the Red Sea to allow the Israelites to escape (Exodus 14:21-22).
Pay attention to the tone of verse 21: "...the LORD drove the sea back by a strong east wind..." This is a symbol of how God's mighty power works, accompanied by the blowing of a strong east wind, which caused the sea to become dry land.
What is conveyed through this event? It is the sacramental action of God through His Word and His Spirit to liberate ("sanctify") the people of Israel from the power of evil.
It was the Word of God that carried out the will of God the Father to divide the sea with the means of the blowing of the Holy Spirit (the east wind).
God, who looked with compassion upon the people of Israel, His "chosen nation," performed an act of salvation by leading them through the Red Sea into the wilderness of Sinai.
Out of compassion for the "chosen people," God intervened to save them by parting the sea and allowing them to cross safely into the Sinai Desert. Here, water is related to salvation.
From these two typologies, the Church, specifically the Orthodox Church, views the exoteric dimension of Christian initiation through baptism as containing an esoteric dimension as a mystery of God's people being washed and saved.
The Church, therefore, becomes a community that has undergone purification and received the gift of salvation. Through baptism, every believer's sins are forgivenand salvation is obtained .
Acts 2:37-38
1 Peter 3:20-21
The practice of baptism finds its background in the Jewish practice of immersion (Tevilah).
Tevilah, meaning "immersion," involves the act of immersing oneself in water. In ancient times, Jews used rivers for this purpose, but in later and modern times, specially constructed pools called "MIQVEH" were used.
In John 3:22-26 and Hebrews 6:2, Christian baptism seems to be connected with the practice of Jewish immersions.
In particular, John's baptism is seen as a Jewish ritual. Unlike Jewish baptism, which is a mere ritual washing like that done by John, Christian baptism, though also using water, is referred to as baptism of the Holy Spirit.
This is because Jewish baptism is merely a "sign" of repentance, whereas Christian baptism, while related to repentance, is said to be "for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit" (Acts 2:38).
The term "gift of the Holy Spirit" (tin doorean tou Agiou Pnevmatos) in Acts 2:38 refers not to the various gifts of the Holy Spirit (kharismata tou Aghiou Pnevmatos, 1 Corinthians 12) but to the Holy Spirit Himself, who is given to us at the time of baptism.
Thus, Christian baptism is related to the reception of the Holy Spirit, as shown in the story of Paul's encounter with the disciples of John who were not yet Christians (Acts 19:1-6).
When Paul asked if they had received the Holy Spirit, their reply indicated they had never heard of the Holy Spirit because they were not yet Christians. Therefore, Paul asked, "Into what then were you baptized?" (Acts 19:3).
This suggests that in Paul's mind, receiving the Holy Spirit is connected to baptism, and baptism is related to the essence of faith.
So, when he initially inquired about their faith, he asked, "Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?" . This is what Baptism means.
(Acts 19:3)
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