Baptism in Water
Biblical Concepts Compiled by F. M. Perry
The Authority For Baptism: Jesus Christ.
“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 the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28: 18-20).
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The Subjects of Baptism: Believers.
“So then, those who had received the word were baptized; and there were added that day about three thousand souls.” (Acts 2:41).
“But when they believed Philip preaching the good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, men and women alike.” (Acts 8:12).
“And even Simon himself believed; and after being baptized, he continued on with Philip;” (Acts 8:13).
“And as they went along the road they came to some water; and the eunuch said, ‘Look! Water! What prevents me from being baptized?’ [And 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.’”] (Acts 8:36-37).
“‘Surely no one can refuse the water for these to be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit just as we did, can he?’ And he ordered them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ.” (Acts 10:47-48).
“And a certain woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyatira, a seller of purple fabrics, a worshiper of God, was listening; and the Lord opened her heart to respond to the things spoken by Paul. And when she and her household had been baptized, ...” (Acts 16:14-15).
“And they said (to the Jailer), ‘Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you shall be saved, you and your household.’ And they spoke the word of the Lord to him together with all who were in his house. And he took them that very hour of the night and washed their wounds, and immediately he was baptized, he and all his household.” (Acts 16:31-33).
“And Crispus, the leader of the synagogue, believed in the Lord with all his household, and many of the Corinthians when they heard were believing and being baptized.” (Acts 18:8).
“And when they heard this (that they should believe on the Lord Jesus Christ), they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.” (Acts 19:5).
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The Time For Baptism: As soon as possible after believing.
“That (same) day.” (Acts 2:41).
“When they believed.” (Acts 8:12).
After “even Simon himself believed.” (Acts 8:13).
After the Eunuch said, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.” (Acts 8:37).
After three days Paul “arose and was baptized.” (Acts 9:9, 18).
After Peter preached the gospel to Gentile Cornelius and his household, and “the Holy Spirit fell upon all who were listening.” (Acts 10:44, 48).
After “the Lord opened her (Lydia’s) heart to respond to the things spoken by Paul.” (Acts 16:14-15).
“That very hour of the night ... and immediately.” (Acts 16:33).
When Crispus and the Corinthians “believed.” (Acts 18:8).
“When they heard this” (believed in Jesus). (Acts 19:5).
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The Administrator of Baptism: Disciples of Christ.
“And there He (Jesus) was spending time with them and baptizing ... (although Jesus Himself was not baptizing, but His disciples were.” (John 3:22, 4:2).
“But when they believed Philip preaching the good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were being baptized, men and women alike. And even Simon himself believed; and after being baptized, he continued on with Philip.” (Acts 8:12-13).
“And immediately there fell from his (Paul’s) eyes something like scales, and he regained his sight, and he arose and was baptized.” (Acts 9:18).
“And he ordered them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ.” (Acts 10:48).
“A certain woman named Lydia” was baptized. (Acts 16:14-15).
“And immediately he (the jailor) was baptized.” (Acts 16:31-33).
“They (twelve Ephesians) were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.” (Acts 19:5).
“I thank God that I baptized none of you except Chrispus and Gaius, that no man should say you were baptized in my name. Now I did baptize also the household of Stephanus; beyond that, I do not know whether I baptized any other.” (1 Corinthians 1:14-16).
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The Element of Baptism: Water.
“And John also was baptizing in Aenon near Salim, because there was much water there; and they were coming and were being baptized.” (John 3:23).
“And as they went along the road they came to some water; and the Eunuch said, ‘Look! Water! What prevents me from being baptized?’ ... And he 0ordered the chariot to stop; and they both went down into the water, Philip as well as the Eunuch; and he baptized him. And when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord snatched Philip away;” (Acts 8:36-39).
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The Mode of Baptism: Immersion.
“They were being baptized by him (John) in the Jordan River.” (Matthew 3:6).
“Jesus ... was baptized by John in the Jordan.” (Mark 1:9).
“Baptizing in Aenon near Salim, because there was much water there.” (John 3:23).
“They both went down into the water, Philip as well as the Eunuch ... And when they came up out of the water.” (Acts 8:38-39).
“We have been buried with Him through baptism into death, in order that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life.” (Romans 6:4).
“Having been buried with Him in baptism, in which you were also raised up with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead.” (Colossians 2:12).
Note: The English words “baptize” and “baptism” are Anglicized words, that is, Greek words (from the Greek words BAPTIZO and BAPTISMOS) transliterated into English. The original meaning of BAPTIZO in the Greek New Testament manuscripts was to immerse, to dip under, or to completely submerge.
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The Purposes of Baptism:
To Follow Jesus’ Example;
To Obey Jesus’ Command;
To Follow God’s Gracious Plan of Salvation;
To Clothe Oneself With Christ;
To Answer the Spirit’s Plea for Obedience of Faith;
To Receive God’s Promises for Eternal Life;
To Make an Appeal to God for a Good Conscience;
To Be Raised Up With Him Through Faith.
As Jesus’ Example for His Followers:
“Then Jesus arrived from Galilee at the Jordan coming to John, to be baptized by him. But John tried to prevent Him, saying, ‘I have need to be baptized by You, and do You come to me?’ But Jesus answering said to him, ‘Permit it at this time; for in this way it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.’ Then he permitted Him. And after being baptized, Jesus went up immediately from the water; and behold the heavens were opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove, and coming upon Him, and behold, a voice out of the heavens, saying, ‘This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.’” (Matthew 3:13-17).
To Obey Jesus’ Command That His Followers Be Baptized:
“And Jesus came up and spoke to them (eleven disciples) 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 the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you, and lo. I am with you always, even to the end of the age.’” (Matthew 28:18-20).
To Follow God’s Gracious Plan of Salvation:
“‘Therefore let all the house of Israel know for certain that God has made Him both Lord and Christ – this Jesus whom you crucified.’ Now when they heard this they were pierced to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the Apostles, ‘Brethren, what shall we do?’ And Peter said to them, ‘Repent, and let each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is to you and your children, and for all who are far off, as many as the Lord our God shall call to Himself.’” (Acts 2:36-39).
To Clothe Oneself With Christ:
“For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.” (Galatians 3:27).
To Answer the Spirit’s Plea For Obedience of Faith:
“We have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith among all the Gentiles, for His name’s sake.” (Romans 1:5).
“Now to Him who is able to establish you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery which has been kept secret for long ages past, but now is manifested, and by the Scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandments of the eternal God, has been made known to all the nations, leading to obedience of faith; to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ, be the glory forever. Amen.” (Romans 16:25-27).
To Make an Appeal to God for a Good Conscience:
“And corresponding to that (to Noah’s construction of the Ark) baptism now saves you – not the removal of dirt from the flesh, but an appeal to God for a good conscience –through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.” (1 Peter 3:21).
To Be Raised Up With Him Through Faith:
“Having been buried with Him in baptism, in which you were also raised up with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead.” (Colossians 2:12).
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Prerequisites For a Viable Baptism: Faith, Repentance, Confession.
“And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.” (Hebrews 11:6).
“He who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved; but he who has disbelieved shall be condemned.” (Mark 16:16).
Those people who crucified Jesus, when they realized what they had done, asked, “‘Brethren, what shall we do?’ And Peter said to them, ‘Repent, and let each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins;’” (Acts 2:37-38).
“He (Jesus) answered and said to them, ‘Do you suppose that these Galileans were greater sinners than all other Galileans, because they suffered this fate? I tell you, no, but, unless you repent, you shall all likewise perish.’” (Luke 13:2-3).
“He (Jesus) said to them, ‘But who do you say that I am?’ And Simon Peter answered and said, ‘Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.’” (Matthew 16:16).
“‘... What prevents me from being baptized?’ [And 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.’”] (Acts 8:36-37).
“‘The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart’ – that is, the word of faith which we are preaching, that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and 00believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved, for with the heart man believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation.” (Romans 10:8-10).
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What Happens When We Are Baptized?
We Have the Gift of Repentance.
“There will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents, than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.” (Luke 15:7).
There Is Joy in Heaven.
“There is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” (Luke 15:10).
We Have Forgiveness of Past Sins, and We Receive the Holy Spirit as a Gift.
“Repent, and let each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”
“The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom you had put to death by hanging Him on a cross. He is the one whom God exalted to His right hand as a Prince and a Savior, to grant repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins. And we are witnesses of these things; and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey Him.” (Acts 5:32).
We Are United with Christ in His Death, Burial, and Resurrection, and We Rise to Walk in Newness of Life.
“Or do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus have been baptized into His death? Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, in order that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Fat0her, so we too might walk in newness of life. For if we have become united with Him in the likeness of His death, certainly we shall be also in the likeness of His resurrection. (Romans 6:3-6).
We Receive Sanctification and Eternal Life;
“But now having been freed from sin and enslaved to God, you derive your benefit, resulting in sanctification, and the outcome, eternal life.” (Romans 6:22).
We die to the law, and We Can Bear Fruit For Christ.
“Therefore, my brethren, you also were made to die to the law through the body of Christ, that you might be joined to another, to Him who was raised from the dead, that we might bear fruit for God. (Romans 7:4).
We Became Children of God.
“The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God.” (Romans 8:16).
We Receive the Holy Spirit’s Help in Prayer.
“The Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.” (Romans 8:26).
We Have a Life in Which God Causes All Things To Work Together For Good
“And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” (Romans 8:28).