The word “baptize” (Greek: baptizo) means “submerge” or “immerse.” The command “be baptized” does indeed involve the order to “rise,” because one must go and find sufficient water for a human body to be dipped (Mark 1:4-5; John 3:22-23; Acts 8:36-39).
Can the Lord foresee the consequences of His choice of this dipping in water? Can He see how many people will turn away from this burial in water because…
- they find it inconvenient and even difficult?
- they want to change the form of baptism, to make it more convenient?
- they perceive it as undignified and humiliating—as Naaman once did (2 Kings 5)?
- they reject its authority and its implication about their standing with God—as the Pharisees and lawyers once did (Luke 7:30)?
- they force it on those without faith, turning it into an empty ritual?
- they perceive it as a ritual, and thus sincerely object to it as a ‘work’?
- they see it as a distraction from the Gospel and grace?
- they are confused by controversies swirling around the subject?
Does our Lord see the impact that His command—“be baptized and wash away your sins”—will have on the definition of saving faith? Does He know that this will spark debates that rage across the globe until His return?