Baptisms are significant events in a believer’s life. Today, we’ll learn how the Bible views this practice and its importance.
Also Read: What Does The Bible Say About Baptism Of Babies
What Does The Bible Say About Baptisms
Acts 2:38
Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”
This verse emphasizes the importance of baptism as an outward expression of repentance and the forgiveness of sins through faith in Jesus Christ. It also highlights the role of the Holy Spirit in the life of a believer, who is received through the act of baptism.
Matthew 28:19-20
“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Jesus commands his followers to go and make disciples of all nations. Baptism is an integral part of the disciple-making process, as it signifies the new identity and union with the Triune God that believers enter into. This verse also emphasizes the importance of teaching new believers to obey all that Jesus has commanded.
Mark 16:16
“Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.”
This verse emphasizes the connection between belief and baptism. It teaches that those who believe in Jesus and are baptized will experience salvation, while those who do not believe will be condemned. Baptism serves as a public declaration and affirmation of one’s faith in Christ.
Romans 6:3-4
“Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.”
This verse explains the symbolic connection between baptism and the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Through baptism, believers identify with Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection, signifying the death to their old sinful selves and the new life they now have in Him.
Colossians 2:12
“Having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through your faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead.”
This verse reinforces the spiritual truth that baptism signifies our identification with Jesus’ death and resurrection. It emphasizes that through our faith, God’s power is at work in baptism, uniting us with Christ in His death and resurrection.
John 3:5
“Jesus answered, ‘Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit.'”
In this verse, Jesus speaks to Nicodemus about the necessity of being born again through water and the Spirit to enter the Kingdom of God. This reference to water alludes to baptism and emphasizes its significance in the process of spiritual rebirth.
Galatians 3:27
“For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.”
Through baptism, believers are metaphorically clothed with Christ, signifying their new identity as His followers. This verse highlights the transformative nature of baptism, which symbolizes the believer’s union with Christ and their conformity to His character.
Acts 22:16
“And now what are you waiting for? Get up, be baptized and wash your sins away, calling on his name.”
These were the words of Ananias to the newly converted Saul (later known as Paul) as he urged him to be baptized and receive the forgiveness of sins through calling on the name of Jesus. This verse highlights the crucial role of baptism in the process of repentance and forgiveness.
1 Peter 3:21
“And this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also—not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a clear conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ.”
While clarifying that baptism is not a mere physical cleansing, this verse emphasizes that baptism is a symbol that signifies salvation and a clear conscience toward God. It is through the power of Jesus’ resurrection that baptism holds its salvific significance.
Acts 8:12
“But when they believed Philip as he proclaimed the good news of the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.”
In this verse, the response of the Samaritans to Philip’s proclamation of the Gospel is highlighted. They believed the message and were subsequently baptized. This verse emphasizes that baptism follows belief in Jesus Christ as an essential step in responding to the Gospel.
Acts 10:47-48
“Surely no one can stand in the way of their being baptized with water. They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have.” So he ordered that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked Peter to stay with them for a few days.”
This verse recounts the account of Cornelius and his household receiving the Holy Spirit before being baptized. It emphasizes that those who have received the Holy Spirit should not be hindered from being baptized, as it is a natural response to God’s work in their lives.
Acts 16:33
“At that hour of the night the jailer took them and washed their wounds; then immediately he and all his household were baptized.”
Following their miraculous release from prison, the jailer and his household were baptized. This verse highlights the immediate response of baptism as a visible expression of their newfound faith.
Romans 6:5
“For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly also be united with him in a resurrection like his.”
This verse speaks to the union believers have with Christ through baptism. It signifies our participation in Jesus’ death and resurrection and underscores the hope of a future resurrection and eternal life in union with Him.
Titus 3:5
“He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit.”
This verse emphasizes that salvation is not earned through human effort but is a result of God’s mercy. It refers to the “washing of rebirth” which alludes to baptism and emphasizes the work of the Holy Spirit in bringing about spiritual renewal.
1 Corinthians 12:13
“For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink.”
This verse highlights the unity of believers through baptism in the Holy Spirit. It brings together individuals from different backgrounds and social statuses, forming one body in Christ and emphasizing the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit.
Acts 16:15
“When she and the members of her household were baptized, she invited us to her home. ‘If you consider me a believer in the Lord,’ she said, ‘come and stay at my house.’ And she persuaded us.”
This verse recounts the baptism of Lydia and her household, followed by her invitation to Paul and his companions to stay at her home. It emphasizes the commitment and hospitality that can accompany the act of baptism.
Ephesians 4:5
“one Lord, one faith, one baptism;”
This verse underscores the unity of believers through the proclamation of one Lord, one faith, and one baptism. It reminds us that despite our differences, we are united in our commitment to Jesus Christ and our shared identity as baptized followers.
Acts 8:36-38
“As they traveled along the road, they came to some water and the eunuch said, ‘Look, here is water. What can stand in the way of my being baptized?’ And he gave orders to stop the chariot. Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and Philip baptized him.”
In this encounter between Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch, the eunuch’s immediate desire to be baptized upon understanding the Gospel is evident. This verse underscores the simplicity and accessibility of baptism for those who believe in Jesus Christ.
1 Peter 3:18-22
“For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit. After being made alive, he went and made proclamation to the imprisoned spirits—to those who were disobedient long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built. In it only a few people, eight in all, were saved through water, and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also—not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a clear conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who has gone into heaven and is at God’s right hand—with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him.”
This passage explores the profound theological implications surrounding baptism. It connects the salvation through water in the days of Noah and the symbolic nature of baptism as a pledge of a clear conscience toward God. Furthermore, it highlights Jesus’ redemptive work, resurrection, and current exalted position in heaven.
Acts 2:41
“Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.”
Following Peter’s powerful sermon on the day of Pentecost, many people responded by believing in Jesus Christ and being baptized. This verse highlights the immediate response of baptism among the early believers and the significant growth of the early church.
Matthew 3:13-17
“Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. But John tried to deter him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” Jesus replied, “Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.” Then John consented. As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him, I am well pleased.””
This passage records the baptism of Jesus, demonstrating His perfect obedience and the example He set for believers. It depicts the Holy Spirit descending upon Jesus and the voice of the Father affirming His identity as the beloved Son. It underscores the significance of baptism and the affirmation of our relationship with God.
Acts 19:4-5
“Paul said, ‘John’s baptism was a baptism of repentance. He told the people to believe in the one coming after him, that is, in Jesus.’ On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.”
When Paul encountered some disciples in Ephesus who had been baptized with John’s baptism, he explained to them the fullness of what John’s baptism signified and urged them to be baptized in the name of Jesus. This verse emphasizes the importance of being baptized in the specific name of Jesus, aligning with the teachings of the apostles.
1 Corinthians 1:14-17
“I thank God that I did not baptize any of you except Crispus and Gaius, so no one can say that you were baptized in my name. (Yes, I also baptized the household of Stephanas; beyond that, I don’t remember if I baptized anyone else.) For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel—not with wisdom and eloquence, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.”
The Apostle Paul here emphasizes the primacy of preaching the Gospel, rather than baptizing, as his main commission. Though he baptizes some individuals, he is thankful that he did not baptize many so as not to give room for division among believers. This passage highlights the centrality of the Gospel message in Christian ministry, while acknowledging the significance of baptism.