According to the Scriptures, what is baptism?
Baptism means immersion.
The Greek word “baptisma” means immersion, from “baptizo,” to immerse, to submerge, to make overwhelmed (i.e. fully wet).
--From Strong’s Comprehensive Concordance
John 3:23—And John also was baptizing in Enon near to Salim, because there was much water there: and they came, and were baptized.
Colossians 2:12—Having been buried with him in baptism, wherein ye were also raised with him through faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead.
Baptism is following Christ in obedience and faith.
Mark 1:9—Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized of John in the Jordan.
Matthew 3:14-15—But John would have hindered him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me? But Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it now: for thus it becometh us to fulfill all righteousness.
Matthew 28:19-20—Go ye therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I commanded you…
Acts 10:48—And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ…
Baptism is re-enacting the Gospel and is a witness of faith in Jesus alone for salvation.
1 Corinthians 15:3-4—For I delivered unto you first of all that which also I received: that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; and that he was buried; and that he hath been raised on the third day according to the scriptures…
Mark 16:16—He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that disbelieveth shall be condemned.
See Romans 10:9-10; Ephesians 2:8; Romans 6:23; John 3:16.
Acts 8:36-37—And as they went on the way, they came unto a certain water; and the eunuch saith, Behold, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? (And Philip said, If thou believest with all thy heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.)
Acts 16:30-33—Sirs, what must I do to be saved? And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus, and thou shalt be saved, thou and thy house. And they spake the word of the Lord unto him, with all that were in his house. And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, immediately. |
Baptism has transforming power.
Acts 2:26—And now why tarriest thou? Arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on his name.
Acts 2:38—And Peter said unto them, Repent ye, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ unto the remission of your sins; and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Romans 6:2-5—We who died to sin, how shall we any longer live therein? Or are ye ignorant that all we who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him through baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we also might walk in newness of life. For if we have become united with him in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection.
Baptism is into Christ and His Kingdom.
Matthew 28:19—Go ye therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit…
Galatians 3:26-27—For ye are all sons of God, through faith, in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ did put on Christ.
Acts 19:5—And when they heard this, they were baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus.
Acts 8:12—But when they believed Philip preaching good tidings concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.
It is like the ark of safety.
1 Peter 3:20-21—The longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls, were saved through water: which also after a true likeness doth now save you, even baptism, not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the interrogation of a good conscience toward God, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Baptism is to be performed by those committed to teaching the Bible.
Matthew 28:19-20—Go ye therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I commanded you: and lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.
1 Thessalonians 2:13—And for this cause we also thank God without ceasing, that, when ye received from us the word of the message, even the word of God, ye accepted it not as the word of men, but, as it is in truth, the word of God, which also worketh in you that believe.
2 Timothy 3:16 KJV—All scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness…
If baptism is on an incomplete basis, the Bible indicates re-baptism.
Acts 19:3-5—And he said, Into what then were ye baptized? And they said, Into John’s baptism. And Paul said, John baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people that they should believe on him that should come after him, that is on Jesus. And when they heard this, they were baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus. |
