baptizō & baptô

One of the subjects in Scripture that has always been confusing to me is the subject of baptism and the context(s) it is used in. Like in Mark 16:16, is that literal in meaning or symbolic? In Acts 1:5, what is meant by the baptism of the Holy Spirit?

I found this commentary on Blue Letter Bible and it really helped but I still have questions. (By the way, this website is very helpful for learning the original meaning of the text. It provides the Hebrew and Greek lexicon/concordance for each word in scripture. Talk about expository!)

{The word baptizō should not be confused with baptô. 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' (baptô) into boiling water and then 'baptised' (baptizô) 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.}

more thoughts on this later....