There are several different types of baptism talked about in the scriptures. Primarily when we think of baptism we think of water baptism in a church. However, the Bible speaks of baptism by the Holy Spirit and by fire (judgment) as well. It is important to read these scriptures in context to understand what the Bible is saying about baptism.
Luke 3:16 “John answered, saying unto them all, I indeed baptize you with water; but one mightier than I cometh, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire:”
Jesus’ Baptism by John
... and he saw the Spirit of God ...
Matthew 3:13-17 “Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him. But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me? And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him. And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”
Mark 1:9-11 “And it came to pass in those days, that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized of John in Jordan. And straightway coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens opened, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon him: And there came a voice from heaven, saying, Thou art my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”
Luke 3:21, 22 “Now when all the people were baptized, it came to pass, that Jesus also being baptized, and praying, the heaven was opened, And the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon him, and a voice came from heaven, which said, Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased.”
John 1:29-33 “The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world. This is he of whom I said, After me cometh a man which is preferred before me: for he was before me. And I knew him not: but that he should be made manifest to Israel, therefore am I come baptizing with water. And John bare record, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him. And I knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost.”
Baptism in Water for Believers
Matthew 28:19, 20 “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.”
Mark 1:4, 5 “John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins. And there went out unto him all the land of Judaea, and they of Jerusalem, and were all baptized of him in the river of Jordan, confessing their sins.”
Mark 16:16 “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.”
Acts 2:38 “Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.”
Acts 8:35-38 “Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus. And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.”
Acts 16:31, 33 “And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway.”
What Baptism Means to a Believer
Romans 6:3-6 “Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.”
1 Corinthians 12:13 “For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.”
Galatians 3:27 “For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.”
1 Peter 3:21 “The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:”
Christian Quotes About Baptism
“A man who knows that he is saved by believing in Christ does not, when he is baptized, lift his baptism into a saving ordinance. In fact, he is the very best protester against that mistake, because he holds that he has no right to be baptized until he is saved.” ~ Charles Spurgeon
“Baptism separates the tire kickers from the car buyers.” ~ Max Lucado
“We may never be martyrs but we can die to self, to sin, to the world, to our plans and ambitions. That is the significance of baptism; we died with Christ and rose to new life” ~ Vance Haver
“Baptism is faith in action.” ~ Watchman Nee
“God’s people should be baptized because God commanded it, not because some church requires it.” ~ John R. Rice
| Looking For Something Else? Here are some more Bible verses and pages about baptism and related topics that you might want to check out: Does baptism save you? Jack Wellman shares a Biblical analysis on the purpose and symbolism of baptism. 7 Spiritual Growth Tips In this article David Peach mentions how baptism affects the spiritual growth of the believer. 1 Corinthians Commentary is a verse by verse examination of 1 Corinthians, in it Jack touches upon baptism. |
Resources:
The Holy Bible, King James Version (KJV)
YouTube: “Born Again” by Third Day
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{ 22 comments… read them below or add one }
I am a 40 year old woman that is getting baptized for the first time in 3 weeks. I know in my heart that this is the right time and I will be starting anew. This is a new life for me. I have always believed but lost touch for a few years. I am not really familiar with the bible or all of the stories in it. I really like the Romans 6:3-6 verse but I am still looking for the perfect one.
wel the bible says that real baptism is in the lord jesus crist. Peter gave that message in the day of pentecost. No one in the bilble was baptize in the three titles father the son and the holy ghost.
Amazing! Thank you!
Tracie,
Jesus then said to the Jews who had believed in him, “If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples,
and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.”
JOHN 8:31-32
As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.” At once they left their nets and followed him. – Matthew 4:18-20
Heres the beautiful thing, turly following anyone means thats its not about you. Simon and Andrew weren’t looking for the perfect verse, the best way to follow Jesus or even for God. However when Juses (God) found them they followed. If your heart is right follow it, God will find you; and you have been made with everything you need to do great works in his name. You have a heart from God, now have the courage to follow it.
I like the way the book of Mark quotes Jesus’ words, “And Jesus said unto them, Come ye after me, and I will make you to become fishers of men.” He didn’t say that they would immediately be fishers of men, but that Jesus would teach and train them how to do it.
I have a question. I have been having some debates as so how people should be baptised.I believe people should be baptised in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost and because a lot of verses have said ‘baptised into Christ’ there has been a confusion that has been created with most of the churches now baptising only in the name of ‘Christ’.Please help me understang this issuye as i think its one of the fundamentals of christianity. According to my understanding only one verse tells us ‘HOW’ people should be baptised and that is Mathew 28vs 19-20. All the other verses basically tell us we are being baptised into Christ which is 100% correct but not baptised in the name of Christ only.Please help me understand.
Thank you Fortune for your question and for visiting us. Very good question and which much confusion does occur. The first thing is that it is not so much if you are put under the water three times or one time, but from what I learned at seminary, we had real baptisms to go through the process. I believe a person is not saved by baptism but we should be baptized. Baptism is a symbol of death (going under the water) and new life (coming out of the water) but not eternal life (which comes from placing your faith and trust in Jesus and repenting and believing in Him).
I personally like to use this method as an ordained minister patterned after the biblical model.
“I baptize you in the Name of the Father (going under the water), and in the Name of the Son (going under the water), and in the Name of the Holy Spirit (going under the water a 3rd time).”
Having said that, I believe that baptism is an outward symbol of an inward conversion and baptizing someone only one time under the water and saying “I baptize you in the Name of Jesus Christ” will suffice because no one receives eternal life by baptism but by Jesus’ Christ’s atoning work at Calvary and a repenting, confessing (of sin), professing Christ as Savior and Lord, and possessing Him in their walk in life. Myself, I prefer “I baptize you in the Name of the Father and in the Name of the Son, and in the Name of the Holy Spirit ” even if you are submerged under water one time or three times. Sprinkling is not considered a baptism because the verb form is βαπτιζω in the original language (Koine Greek it is baptidzo) and it means “to dip repeatedly, to immerse, submerge…to cleanse by dipping or submerging”. I like the cleanse by submerging wording here.
Let me know if this helped to answer your question and again, thank you for your question Fortune.
You believe that baptism does not save? But 1 Peter 3:21 shows The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:”
I believe that Jesus saves. Baptism is to be followed by a person being saved. By the way, 1 Peter 3:20-21 says, “In it only a few people, eight in all,[Noah & those in the Ark] were saved [they were saved first!] through water, [the flood, not baptizing water] and this water [the flood 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.”
You need to include ALL the text instead of taking one portion of one Scripture out of context to make a pretext. That is bad hermeneutics.
Mostly you just asserts that baptism is an outward symbol of inward conversion. You do not prove that in the Bible. Just as Noah and his family were saved from the wickedness of the world through the water of the flood so also the water of baptism saves us from sin and wickedness. I don’t know what you mean they were saved first. Certainly the water that saved them was the flood–everyone knows this. The water that saves us is baptism as the text says.
I feel badly for you Shane that you are basically saying that Jesus’ death on the cross was not enough to save us and that you have to add the ordinance of baptism to make it enough for us to be saved. Jesus said at the cross, just moments before He died, “It is finished.” The Greek for this is “Tetelestai” which literally means “PAID IN FULL.”
For every one of the handful of Scriptures people use to try and prove that baptism saves, there are 10 more to show that Jesus alone saves (Acts 4:12, etc.). God bless you.
this is indeed poweful I did gain a lot,stay blessed.
“As for me and my household, we will serve the Lord. ” Joshua 24:15
“I am a child of God.” John 1:12 These are the two we are using.
Hi there, please help! Is it true? If u r not baptized one will never be filled with the holy spirit?
Hi Rene. Thank you for your comment. There are many who have been baptized but obviously were not saved but I believe, as the Bible teaches, that everyone that is saved should be baptized. Jesus alone saves (Acts 4:12) and we are saved by grace alone and not by works but we are saved for works and grace alone does not remain alone for it produces works. If baptism is required to be saved, then does this mean that the thief on the cross is lost since he was not baptized is….and Abraham, David….and others?
Many mention Mark 16:15,16 and several others that they claim ties salvation into baptism? Does salvation come before baptism or as a result of it? We can no more be saved before baptism than we can before believing.
It is like 1 + 1 = 2. Take away either of the “1′s” and you no longer have two. Likewise if you take away either faith or baptism, you no longer have salvation. Read the Scripture. It actually says you will be condemned if you don’t believe, but it doesn’t say you will be condemned if you are not baptized.
The Bible does not always spell out what we have to do to be lost. It tells us what we have to do to be saved and expects us to realize that, if we don’t do it, we will be lost. Further, the person who has a true faith will believe that baptism is necessary. Jesus said to believe the gospel (v15,16). What does the gospel say? “He who believes and is baptized shall be saved.” What if I don’t believe that? Then I don’t believe the gospel! What does the passage say about people who don’t believe the gospel? There are a lot of people who have been baptized but are clearly not saved (by the lack of fruits, by which Christ said we would know them).
Please read more at: http://www.whatchristianswanttoknow.com/does-baptism-save-you-a-biblical-analysis/#ixzz1sEZIun9M
I hope this answered your concern. Thank you for your comment, your question, and for visiting us.
“Jesus alone saves (Acts 4:12) and we are saved by grace alone and not by works but we are saved for works and grace alone does not remain alone for it produces works. If baptism is required to be saved, then does this mean that the thief on the cross is lost since he was not baptized is….and Abraham, David….and others?”
The thief on the cross nor Abraham or David would need to be saved by baptism because the great commision had not gone out until after the resurrection of Jesus. (Mat 28:19). They were still under the old covenant and Baptism as part of salvation(Mark 16:16) and for remission of sins(Acts 2:38) was after. So of course The thief on the cross would not need to be baptised.
Am i saying that Baptism by itself saves? No. But it is commanded by God himself(Mat 28:19) and the apostles(Acts 2:38) and you have examples in Acts where people were baptized. If something is commanded and not followed is that not disobedience? Baptism plays a part in our salvation.
Mark 16:16 states belief and Baptism saves, but one is condemned if they don’t believe. The common answer to that is that “it doesn’t say you are condemned if you are not baptized”. Well if one does not believe they will not Baptized, so that is not a good argument.
I’ve also heard many say they believe Baptism is an outward show of faith. The first problem with that is that they say they BELIEVE. Is it our own belief or the bible. The second problem is that, the bible states that nowhere, not one verse of scripture says that.
I’ve also heard we saved by faith alone and grace alone and there is nothing we can do. First off, if its by grace alone, then there is no need for faith. If its by faith alone, then there is no need for grace. People need to watch how they word things. We are saved by faith THROUGH grace(Eph 2:8-9). We do not deserve to be saved but because of what christ did on the cross we have the opportunity for eternal life. Does Eph 2:8-9 exclude all works? No. Paul throughout the new testament excludes works of the LAW, which the Jews tried to hold on to. (Rom 4, gal 3, etc.) Does that exclude belief? No. But that is something we are required to do on our part. It is also said to be a work(john 6:29). Is baptism something we need to do? yes. So does Eph 2:8,9 exclude it?no. What about repentance? (Acts 17:30, luke 13:3-5), that is something we have to do.
“Many mention Mark 16:15,16 and several others that they claim ties salvation into baptism? Does salvation come before baptism or as a result of it? We can no more be saved before baptism than we can before believing.”
I mentioned Mark 16 earlier but i would like to address the question about when one was saved, before or after baptism. Here is a biblical example many overlook….Acts 2:40And with many words did he testify and exhort, saying, save yourselves from this untowrd generation.41then they gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.
When were they saved or added to the body of christ? Was it before or after Baptism? They were already pricked in there hearts and already believed when they asked in verse 37, what shall we do. Do we just take one passage of scripture and come to a conclusion or do we put them all together.
From reading God’s word we will be saved by Gods grace through faith and obedience to what he requires of us which includes faith, repentance, renewing our minds and living a holy life, baptism, etc.
I forgot to add one thing…
Another common thing asked is what if a person believes before he dies on a deathbed and doesn’t get the chance to be baptized?
Good question, but i would say do we teach what the scripture says or off of a feeling, event or situation? The answer is we teach from the word of God. Should we keep God in a box? No. God can’t be put in a box, it is up to God and God only to make the call on whether that person will be saved on there deathbed. Neither myself or anyone else can assume what would happen in a situation like that. All we can do as christians is spread Gods word based off of what it says not what we think. So in a nutshell the answer to the question about what would god do with the person who confesses on his deathbed is “NO ONE KNOWS”.
One last thing as far as the command to be baptized, as stated in hebrews the new covenant(testament did not go into effect until the death of christ)..Hebrews 9:15And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means od death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance.16 For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator.17 For a testament is of force after men are dead: otherwise it is of no strength at all while the testator liveth.18Whereupon neither the first testament was dedicated without blood19For when Moses had spoken every precept to all the people according to the law, he took the blood of calves and of goats, with water, and scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book, and all the people, 20Saying, This is the blood of the testament which God hath enjoined unto you. 21Moreover he sprinkled with blood both the tabernacle, and all the vessels of the ministry. 22And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.
I believe when one gets saved, that we are baptized in the blood of Jesus and that we should get baptized with water as an outward expression of what we have received on the inside. You are symbolizing burying the old and coming out renewed in Christ. We must put action behind our faith. For faith without works is dead. see James 2:26
Hola compañeros queridos.
El problema no es si alguien es bautizado o no y si por esto es llevado a ser salvo o no.
La vida en Dios es un proceso, o en otras palabras es una REMODELACION DEL ALMA, mucha gente es bautizada y no ha muerto a esas viejas costumbres pecaminosas que lo distancian de la presencia de nuestro padre; y existen muchas otras personas que sin tener el bautismo cristiano nos dan lección de vida en muchos aspectos de la existencia humana.
Lo único cierto es que una persona que se determina a seguir a Cristo debe decidirse a hacer la voluntad de Dios, la cual es buena, agradable y perfecta. Dios mismo nos dice que el ejemplo a seguir es su hijo Jesus, por eso nos invita a que seamos semejantes a El.
Jesus se bautizo para darnos ejemplo.
Ahora bien, las escrituras hablan del padre, del hijo y del estiritu santo y aunque en varios versiculos habla del bautismo en el nombre de Cristo, ello, es solo una muestra del camino que debemos seguir (Jesus es el camino, la verdad y la vida) y se entrego a si mismo por amor a nosotros y como tal debemos reconocerle y honrrarlo como nuestro padre que esta en los cielos, le ha glorificado.
Dios los bendiga.
Muchos Gracias Patricia. Let me translate, in my less than perfect Spanish to our readers what this lady just said:
“Hello comrades.
The problem is not whether one is baptized or not and if it is taken to be saved or not.
Life in God is a process, or in other words is a REMODELING OF THE SOUL, many people are baptized and have not killed those old sinful ways they distance themselves from the presence of our father, and there are many others without the Christian baptism give us life lessons in many aspects of human existence.
The only certainty is that a person who is determined to follow Christ should decide to do the will of God, which is good and acceptable and perfect. God tells us that the role model is his son Jesus, so we invited us to be like Him
Jesus was baptized to give us an example.
Now, the Bible speaks of Father, Son and Holy estiritu and although several verses speak of the baptism in the name of Christ, this is just a sample of the way forward (Jesus is the Way, the Truth and life) and gave himself for our sake and as such we recognize and honrrarlo as our father who is in heaven, has glorified.
God bless you.”