Biblical Baptism
Note: The baptism of John was for the repentance of sins.
In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of
Judea and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.”
This is he who was spoken of through the prophet Isaiah: “A voice of
one calling in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make
straight paths for him.’” John’s clothes were made of camel’s hair, and
he had a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild
honey. People went out to him from Jerusalem and all Judea and the
whole region of the Jordan. Confessing their sins, they were baptized
by him in the Jordan River. Matthew 3:1-6
And so, John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness, preaching a
baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. The whole Judean
countryside and all the people of Jerusalem went out to him. Confessing
their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River. Mark 1:4-5
And he went into all the region around the Jordan, preaching a baptism
of repentance for the remission of sins, as it is written in the book
of the words of Isaiah the prophet, saying: "The voice of one crying in
the wilderness: 'Prepare the way of the Lord; Make His paths straight.
Luke 3:3-4
“From this man’s descendants God has brought to Israel the Savior
Jesus, as he promised. Before the coming of Jesus, John preached
repentance and baptism to all the people of Israel. As John was
completing his work, he said: ‘Who do you suppose I am? I am not the
one you are looking for. But there is one coming after me whose sandals
I am not worthy to untie.’” Acts 13:23-25
Note: The baptism of John was a form of purification.
After these things Jesus and His disciples came into the land of Judea,
and there He remained with them and baptized. Now John also was
baptizing in Aenon near Salim because there was much water there. And
they came and were baptized. For John had not yet been thrown into
prison. Then there arose a dispute between some of John's disciples and
the Jews about purification. And they came to John and said to him,
"Rabbi, He who was with you beyond the Jordan, to whom you have
testified--behold, He is baptizing, and all are coming to Him!" John
answered and said, "A man can receive nothing unless it has been given
to him from heaven. You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, 'I am
not the Christ,' but, 'I have been sent before Him.'” John 3:22-28
Note: Jesus Christ baptizes with salvation or damnation.
“I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me comes one who is
more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will
baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fork is in his
hand, and he will clear his threshing floor, gathering his wheat into
the barn and burning up the chaff with unquenchable fire.” Matthew
3:11-12
And this was his message: “After me comes the one more powerful than I,
the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. I
baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”
Mark 1:7-8
John answered, saying to all, "I indeed baptize you with water; but One
mightier than I is coming, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to loose.
He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fan is
in His hand, and He will thoroughly clean out His threshing floor, and
gather the wheat into His barn; but the chaff He will burn with
unquenchable fire." Luke 3:16-17
Note: The baptism of Jesus Christ began His ministry.
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.” Matthew 3:13-17
At that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by
John in the Jordan. Just as Jesus was coming up out of the water, he
saw heaven being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a
dove. And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with
you I am well pleased.” Mark 1:9-11
When all the people were baptized, it came to pass that Jesus also was
baptized; and while He prayed, the heaven was opened. And the Holy
Spirit descended in bodily form like a dove upon Him, and a voice came
from heaven which said, "You are My beloved Son; in You I am well
pleased." Now Jesus Himself began His ministry at about thirty years of
age. Luke 3:21-23
Now those who were sent were from the Pharisees. And they asked him,
saying, "Why then do you baptize if you are not the Christ, nor Elijah,
nor the Prophet?" John answered them, saying, "I baptize with water,
but there stands One among you whom you do not know. It is He who,
coming after me, is preferred before me, whose sandal strap I am not
worthy to loose." These things were done in Bethabara beyond the
Jordan, where John was baptizing. The next day John saw Jesus coming
toward him, and said, "Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin
of the world! This is He of whom I said, 'After me comes a Man who is
preferred before me, for He was before me.' I did not know Him; but
that He should be revealed to Israel, therefore I came baptizing with
water." John 1:24-31
Note: Religious people rejected John the Baptist.
But what did you go out to see? A man clothed in soft garments? Indeed,
those who are gorgeously appareled and live in luxury are in kings'
courts. But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I say to you,
and more than a prophet. This is he of whom it is written: 'Behold, I
send My messenger before Your face, Who will prepare Your way before
You.' For I say to you, among those born of women there is not a
greater prophet than John the Baptist; but he who is least in the
kingdom of God is greater than he." And when all the people heard Him,
even the tax collectors justified God, having been baptized with the
baptism of John. But the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the will of God
for themselves, not having been baptized by him. Luke 7:25-30
Jesus entered the temple courts, and, while he was teaching, the chief
priests and the elders of the people came to him. “By what authority
are you doing these things?” they asked. “And who gave you this
authority?” Jesus replied, “I will also ask you one question. If you
answer me, I will tell you by what authority I am doing these things.
John’s baptism—where did it come from? Was it from heaven, or of human
origin?” They discussed it among themselves and said, “If we say, ‘From
heaven,’ he will ask, ‘Then why didn’t you believe him?’ But if we say,
‘Of human origin’—we are afraid of the people, for they all hold that
John was a prophet.” So, they answered Jesus, “We don’t know.” Then he
said, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these
things. Matthew 21:23-27
They arrived again in Jerusalem, and while Jesus was walking in the
temple courts, the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the
elders came to him. “By what authority are you doing these things?”
they asked. “And who gave you authority to do this?” Jesus replied, “I
will ask you one question. Answer me, and I will tell you by what
authority I am doing these things. John’s baptism—was it from heaven,
or of human origin? Tell me!” They discussed it among themselves and
said, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will ask, ‘Then why didn’t you
believe him?’ But if we say, ‘Of human origin’ …” (They feared the
people, for everyone held that John really was a prophet.) So, they
answered Jesus, “We don’t know.” Jesus said, “Neither will I tell you
by what authority I am doing these things.” Mark 11:27-33
One day as Jesus was teaching the people in the temple courts and
proclaiming the good news, the chief priests and the teachers of the
law, together with the elders, came up to him. “Tell us by what
authority you are doing these things,” they said. “Who gave you this
authority?” He replied, “I will also ask you a question. Tell me:
John’s baptism—was it from heaven, or of human origin?” They discussed
it among themselves and said, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will ask,
‘Why didn’t you believe him?’ But if we say, ‘Of human origin,’ all the
people will stone us, because they are persuaded that John was a
prophet.” So, they answered, “We don’t know where it was from.” Jesus
said, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these
things.” Luke 20:1-8
Note: Peter mistakenly combined salvation and baptism.
Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter
and the rest of the apostles, "Men and brethren, what shall we do?"
Then Peter said to them, "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized
in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall
receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Acts 2:37-38
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. 1 Peter 3:19-22
I thank God that I baptized none of you except Crispus and Gaius, lest
anyone should say that I had baptized in my own name. Yes, I also
baptized the household of Stephanas. Besides, I do not know whether I
baptized any other. 1 Corinthians 1:14-16
Note: Baptism does not guarantee salvation.
But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a
possession. And he kept back part of the proceeds, his wife also being
aware of it, and brought a certain part and laid it at the apostles'
feet. But Peter said, "Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie
to the Holy Spirit and keep back part of the price of the land for
yourself? While it remained, was it not your own? And after it was
sold, was it not in your own control? Why have you conceived this thing
in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God." Then Ananias,
hearing these words, fell down and breathed his last. So great fear
came upon all those who heard these things. And the young men arose and
wrapped him up, carried him out, and buried him. Now it was about three
hours later when his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. And
Peter answered her, "Tell me whether you sold the land for so much?"
She said, "Yes, for so much." Then Peter said to her, "How is it that
you have agreed together to test the Spirit of the Lord? Look, the feet
of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will
carry you out." Then immediately she fell down at his feet and breathed
her last. And the young men came in and found her dead, and carrying
her out, buried her by her husband. So great fear came upon all the
church and upon all who heard these things. Acts 5:1-11
But there was a certain man called Simon, who previously practiced
sorcery in the city and astonished the people of Samaria, claiming that
he was someone great, to whom they all gave heed, from the least to the
greatest, saying, "This man is the great power of God." And they heeded
him because he had astonished them with his sorceries for a long time.
But when they believed Philip as he preached the things concerning the
kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, both men and women were
baptized. Then Simon himself also believed; and when he was baptized he
continued with Philip, and was amazed, seeing the miracles and signs
which were done. Now when the apostles who were at Jerusalem heard that
Samaria had received the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them,
who, when they had come down, prayed for them that they might receive
the Holy Spirit. For as yet He had fallen upon none of them. They had
only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then they laid hands
on them, and they received the Holy Spirit. And when Simon saw that
through the laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Spirit was given,
he offered them money, saying, "Give me this power also, that anyone on
whom I lay hands may receive the Holy Spirit." But Peter said to him,
"Your money perish with you, because you thought that the gift of God
could be purchased with money! You have neither part nor portion in
this matter, for your heart is not right in the sight of God. Repent
therefore of this your wickedness and pray God if perhaps the thought
of your heart may be forgiven you. For I see that you are poisoned by
bitterness and bound by iniquity." Then Simon answered and said, "Pray
to the Lord for me, that none of the things which you have spoken may
come upon me." Acts 8:9-24
Note: John the Baptist distinguishes salvation from water baptism.
And John bore witness, saying, "I saw the Spirit descending from heaven
like a dove, and He remained upon Him. I did not know Him, but He who
sent me to baptize with water said to me, 'Upon whom you see the Spirit
descending, and remaining on Him, this is He who baptizes with the Holy
Spirit.' And I have seen and testified that this is the Son of God."
John 1:32-34
Note: Jesus Christ distinguishes salvation from water baptism.
And being assembled together with them, He commanded them not to depart
from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father, "which," He
said, "you have heard from Me; for John truly baptized with water, but
you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now."
Acts 1:4-5
Note: Apostle Peter distinguishes salvation from water baptism.
Then the Spirit told me to go with them, doubting nothing. Moreover,
these six brethren accompanied me, and we entered the man's house. And
he told us how he had seen an angel standing in his house, who said to
him, 'Send men to Joppa, and call for Simon whose surname is Peter, who
will tell you words by which you and all your household will be saved.'
And as I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell upon them, as upon us at
the beginning. Then I remembered the word of the Lord, how He said,
'John indeed baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the
Holy Spirit.' If therefore God gave them the same gift as He gave us
when we believed on the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that I could
withstand God?" When they heard these things they became silent; and
they glorified God, saying, "Then God has also granted to the Gentiles
repentance to life." Acts 11:12-18
Note: Apostle Paul distinguishes salvation from water baptism.
And it happened, while Apollos was at Corinth, that Paul, having passed
through the upper regions, came to Ephesus. And finding some disciples
he said to them, "Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?"
So, they said to him, "We have not so much as heard whether there is a
Holy Spirit." And he said to them, "Into what then were you baptized?"
So, they said, "Into John's baptism." Then Paul said, "John indeed
baptized with a baptism of repentance, saying to the people that they
should believe on Him who would come after him, that is, on Christ
Jesus." When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the
Lord Jesus. And when Paul had laid hands on them, the Holy Spirit came
upon them, and they spoke with tongues and prophesied. Acts 19:1-6
For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not
with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of no
effect. For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are
perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 1
Corinthians 1:17-18
Note: Baptism follows salvation.
And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given
to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all
the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son
and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have
commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the
age." Amen. Matthew 28:18-20
Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning at this Scripture, preached
Jesus to him. Now as they went down the road, they came to some water.
And the eunuch said, "See, here is water. What hinders me from being
baptized?" Then Philip said, "If you believe with all your heart, you
may." And he answered and said, "I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son
of God." So, he commanded the chariot to stand still. And both Philip
and the eunuch went down into the water, and he baptized him. Acts
8:35-38
Now there was a certain disciple at Damascus named Ananias; and to him
the Lord said in a vision, "Ananias." And he said, "Here I am, Lord."
So the Lord said to him, "Arise and go to the street called Straight,
and inquire at the house of Judas for one called Saul of Tarsus, for
behold, he is praying. And in a vision he has seen a man named Ananias
coming in and putting his hand on him, so that he might receive his
sight." Then Ananias answered, "Lord, I have heard from many about this
man, how much harm he has done to Your saints in Jerusalem. And here he
has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on Your
name." But the Lord said to him, "Go, for he is a chosen vessel of Mine
to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel. For
I will show him how many things he must suffer for My name's sake." And
Ananias went his way and entered the house; and laying his hands on him
he said, "Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road
as you came, has sent me that you may receive your sight and be filled
with the Holy Spirit." Immediately there fell from his eyes something
like scales, and he received his sight at once; and he arose and was
baptized. Acts 9:10-18
While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon
all those who heard the word. And those of the circumcision who
believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because the gift
of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also. For they
heard them speak with tongues and magnify God. Then Peter answered,
"Can anyone forbid water, that these should not be baptized who have
received the Holy Spirit just as we have?" And he commanded them to be
baptized in the name of the Lord. Then they asked him to stay a few
days. Acts 10:44-48
And on the Sabbath day we went out of the city to the riverside, where
prayer was customarily made; and we sat down and spoke to the women who
met there. Now a certain woman named Lydia heard us. She was a seller
of purple from the city of Thyatira, who worshiped God. The Lord opened
her heart to heed the things spoken by Paul. And when she and her
household were baptized, she begged us, saying, "If you have judged me
to be faithful to the Lord, come to my house and stay." So, she
persuaded us. Acts 16:13-15
And he brought them out and said, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?"
So, they said, "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be
saved, you and your household." Then they spoke the word of the Lord to
him and to all who were in his house. And he took them the same hour of
the night and washed their stripes. And immediately he and all his
family were baptized. Acts 16:30-33
And he reasoned in the synagogue every Sabbath and persuaded both Jews
and Greeks. When Silas and Timothy had come from Macedonia, Paul was
compelled by the Spirit, and testified to the Jews that Jesus is the
Christ. But when they opposed him and blasphemed, he shook his garments
and said to them, "Your blood be upon your own heads; I am clean. From
now on I will go to the Gentiles." And he departed from there and
entered the house of a certain man named Justus, one who worshiped God,
whose house was next door to the synagogue. Then Crispus, the ruler of
the synagogue, believed on the Lord with all his household. And many of
the Corinthians, hearing, believed and were baptized. Acts 18:4-8
Note: Infants and children were not baptized.
Then Jerusalem, all Judea, and all the region around the Jordan went
out to him and were baptized by him in the Jordan, confessing their
sins. Matthew 3:5-6
When all the people were baptized, it came to pass that Jesus also was
baptized; and while He prayed, the heaven was opened. And the Holy
Spirit descended in bodily form like a dove upon Him, and a voice came
from heaven which said, "You are My beloved Son; in You I am well
pleased." Now Jesus Himself began His ministry at about thirty years of
age. Luke 3:21-23
Therefore, when the Lord knew that the Pharisees had heard that Jesus
made and baptized more disciples than John (though Jesus Himself did
not baptize, but His disciples), He left Judea and departed again to
Galilee. John 4:1-3
Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day
about three thousand souls were added to them. And they continued
steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking
of bread, and in prayers. Acts 2:41-42
But when they believed Philip as he preached the things concerning the
kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, both men and women were
baptized. Acts 8:12
So, he commanded the chariot to stand still. And both Philip and the
eunuch went down into the water, and he baptized him. Acts 8:38
And Ananias went his way and entered the house; and laying his hands on
him he said, "Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the
road as you came, has sent me that you may receive your sight and be
filled with the Holy Spirit." Immediately there fell from his eyes
something like scales, and he received his sight at once; and he arose
and was baptized. Acts 9:17-18
And it happened, while Apollos was at Corinth, that Paul, having passed
through the upper regions, came to Ephesus. And finding some disciples
he said to them, "Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?"
So, they said to him, "We have not so much as heard whether there is a
Holy Spirit." And he said to them, "Into what then were you baptized?"
So, they said, "Into John's baptism." Then Paul said, "John indeed
baptized with a baptism of repentance, saying to the people that they
should believe on Him who would come after him, that is, on Christ
Jesus." When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the
Lord Jesus. And when Paul had laid hands on them, the Holy Spirit came
upon them, and they spoke with tongues and prophesied. Now the men were
about twelve in all. Acts 19:1-7
Note: Baptism symbolizes the suffering of Jesus Christ.
Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to him. “Teacher,” they
said, “we want you to do for us whatever we ask.” “What do you want me
to do for you?” he asked. They replied, “Let one of us sit at your
right and the other at your left in your glory.” “You don’t know what
you are asking,” Jesus said. “Can you drink the cup I drink or be
baptized with the baptism I am baptized with?” “We can,” they answered.
Jesus said to them, “You will drink the cup I drink and be baptized
with the baptism I am baptized with, but to sit at my right or left is
not for me to grant. These places belong to those for whom they have
been prepared.” Mark 10:35-40
But I have a baptism to be baptized with, and how distressed I am till it is accomplished! Luke 12:50
Note: Baptism symbolizes the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ
Jesus were baptized into His death? Therefore, we were buried with Him
through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the
dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness
of life. For if we have been united together in the likeness of His
death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection,
knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of
sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin.
For he who has died has been freed from sin. Now if we died with
Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him, knowing that
Christ, having been raised from the dead, dies no more. Death no longer
has dominion over Him. Romans 6:3-9
In him you were also circumcised with a circumcision not performed by
human hands. Your whole self-ruled by the flesh was put off when you
were circumcised by Christ, 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. Colossians 2:11-12
Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the gospel which I preached to
you, which also you received and in which you stand, by which also you
are saved, if you hold fast that word which I preached to you--unless
you believed in vain. For I delivered to you first of all that which I
also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the
Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third
day according to the Scriptures. 1 Corinthians 15:1-4
Note: Baptism symbolizes being joined to Jesus Christ.
Moreover, brethren, I do not want you to be unaware that all our
fathers were under the cloud, all passed through the sea, all were
baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea, all ate the same
spiritual food, and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank
of that spiritual Rock that followed them, and that Rock was Christ. 1
Corinthians 10:1-4
But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to
each one individually as He wills. For as the body is one and has many
members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one
body, so also is Christ. For by one Spirit we were all baptized into
one body--whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free--and have all
been made to drink into one Spirit. For in fact the body is not one
member but many. 1 Corinthians 12:11-14
For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there
is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
Galatians 3:27-28