Tag: baptism

  • Passages Concerning Water Baptism into Christ

    How often does the New Testament speak about baptism? More often than many realize. This collection brings together twenty-seven passages that can help us study its place in the gospel, the conversions recorded in Acts, and the teaching given to Christians.

    Not every passage below refers directly to water baptism. Some address repentance, cleansing, the Holy Spirit, or the Christian life and provide important context. Distinguishing these texts makes the study more useful, not less.

    John’s baptism anticipated the coming Messiah (Acts 19:3–5). The baptism commanded in the gospel commission centers on Jesus Christ, crucified and risen. As we read, our aim should be to understand what the Scriptures actually teach, rather than isolate a single verse.

    Jesus’ Teaching and the Gospel Commission

    1. Matthew 28:18–20. Jesus commanded His apostles to make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and teaching them to observe His commands.
    2. Mark 16:15–16. In the longer ending of Mark, belief and baptism are connected with salvation.
    3. Luke 24:46–47. Jesus directed that repentance and remission of sins be preached in His name, beginning at Jerusalem. Baptism is not explicitly mentioned here, but the passage provides important context for Acts 2.
    4. John 3:3–5. Jesus spoke of being born of water and the Spirit in connection with entering God’s kingdom. Christians have discussed the precise meaning of “water” here, so this text should be read alongside clearer baptism passages.

    Conversions and Preaching in Acts

    1. Acts 2:36–39. At Pentecost, Peter commanded convicted hearers to repent and be baptized in Jesus Christ’s name for the remission of sins.
    2. Acts 8:12. Men and women in Samaria were baptized when they believed Philip’s preaching about the kingdom of God and Jesus Christ.
    3. Acts 8:36–39. After Philip preached Jesus from Isaiah 53, the Ethiopian eunuch asked to be baptized and went down into the water with Philip.
    4. Acts 9:18–20. After encountering the risen Jesus, Saul was baptized and then took food.
    5. Acts 10:48; 11:14. Peter commanded Cornelius and those with him to be baptized in the Lord’s name. Acts 11:14 also describes the saving message brought to his household.
    6. Acts 16:13–15. Lydia listened to Paul’s message, and she and her household were baptized.
    7. Acts 16:30–34. The Philippian jailer was told to believe, heard the word of the Lord, and was baptized with his household that same night.
    8. Acts 18:8; 1 Corinthians 1. Many Corinthians heard, believed, and were baptized. Paul’s later teaching cautions against making baptism a basis for loyalty to a human preacher.
    9. Acts 19:3–5. Those who had received John’s baptism were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus after Paul explained John’s forward-looking message.
    10. Acts 22:14–16. Paul recounted Ananias’s instruction to arise, be baptized, and wash away his sins, calling on the Lord’s name.
    11. Acts 26:19–20. Paul summarized his preaching as repentance, turning to God, and doing works befitting repentance. Baptism is not named in this summary, but it belongs to the broader account of his preaching.

    What the Epistles Teach

    1. Romans 6:1–4. Paul described Christians as buried with Christ through baptism into death and raised to walk in newness of life.
    2. 1 Corinthians 1:12–13. Paul challenged divisions among believers by asking whether they had been baptized in Paul’s name; baptism belongs to Christ, not to a human leader.
    3. 1 Corinthians 6:9–11; Acts 22:16. Paul reminded the Corinthians that they had been washed, sanctified, and justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by God’s Spirit. The washing language is relevant, though baptism is not explicitly named in 1 Corinthians 6.
    4. 1 Corinthians 12:13. Paul spoke of believers being baptized by one Spirit into one body. This passage emphasizes the Spirit’s work and the unity of Christ’s body.
    5. 1 Corinthians 15:29–31. Paul mentioned baptism for the dead in his argument about resurrection. This is a difficult and disputed text and should not be used as a straightforward description of ordinary Christian baptism.
    6. Galatians 3:26–29. Those baptized into Christ have put on Christ and are heirs according to God’s promise to Abraham.
    7. Ephesians 4:4–6. Paul included one baptism among the unifying realities of Christian faith.
    8. Ephesians 5:25–27. Christ’s cleansing of the church is described with washing by water through the word. This imagery is commonly connected with baptism, though the focus is Christ’s sanctifying work.
    9. Colossians 2:11–12. Paul described believers as buried and raised with Christ in baptism through faith in God’s working.
    10. Titus 3:4–7. Paul described salvation through God’s mercy and the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit. Baptism is not named explicitly, but this text contributes to the discussion of cleansing and new life.
    11. 1 Peter 3:21–22. Peter directly stated that baptism now saves, while clarifying that it is not the removal of physical dirt but an appeal to God for a good conscience through Jesus Christ’s resurrection.
    12. Hebrews 6:2; 10:19–23. Hebrews mentions teaching about baptisms or washings and later speaks of hearts sprinkled and bodies washed with pure water. The relationship of these expressions to Christian baptism requires careful attention to context.

    Considering the Whole Counsel of God

    These passages should not be treated as interchangeable proof texts. Read each in its setting. Some directly command or describe baptism; others explain the faith, repentance, cleansing, and new life associated with salvation in Christ.

    Jesus calls people to believe in Him (John 8:24), repent (Luke 13:3), confess Him (Matthew 10:32–33), and obey His teaching (Matthew 7:21–23; 28:20). The apostles proclaimed repentance and baptism in His name (Acts 2:38), while Christians are called to remain faithful to Him (Revelation 2:10). Salvation is God’s gracious gift, not something we earn by our own merit; genuine faith responds to His word.

    I compiled this list years ago for use in preaching and study. My hope is that it will help you examine the Scriptures, strengthen your convictions, and discuss these matters thoughtfully with others.

    For a shorter introduction, see What Must One Do to Become a Christian? You can also read How Does One Get into Christ? or begin with Looking for Jesus?.

  • How Does One Get into Christ?

    The New Testament repeatedly emphasizes that salvation is found in Jesus Christ. Paul writes that God has blessed us “with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ” (Eph. 1:3). He also declares, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation” (2 Cor. 5:17).

    But this raises an important question: How does one get into Christ?

    There is considerable disagreement about the place of baptism in salvation. Some regard baptism as an outward expression of salvation already received, while others understand it to be part of the response God requires of those seeking forgiveness.

    Rather than begin with what people teach, let us consider what the Scriptures say.

    Baptized into 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. — Romans 6:3–4

    Notice Paul’s language. He describes believers as having been baptized into Christ Jesus and into His death. Through baptism, they were buried with Christ and raised to walk in newness of life.

    Paul is addressing Christians who had already obeyed the gospel. His immediate purpose was to remind them that they could not continue living in sin. Their baptism signified a decisive break with their former manner of life.

    But in making that argument, Paul also tells us something important about their conversion: they had been baptized into Christ.

    Sons of God Through Faith

    For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. — Galatians 3:26–27

    Here, faith and baptism are not presented as competing ideas.

    Paul says that these Christians were sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. He then explains that those who were baptized into Christ had put on Christ.

    We should not overlook either statement.

    Salvation is not earned through human effort. It is made possible through the grace of God and the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Yet the faith described in Scripture is not merely an acknowledgment that Jesus is the Son of God. It is faith that responds to His word.

    The question, then, is not whether faith is necessary. It certainly is. The question is whether we may separate faith from the response God has commanded.

    Baptism and the Resurrection of Christ

    There is also an antitype which now saves us—baptism (not the removal of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God), through the resurrection of Jesus Christ. — 1 Peter 3:21

    Peter is careful to explain that baptism is not simply the washing of the body. Its significance is spiritual, and its saving power rests in the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

    The water itself does not possess some special power to remove sin. Forgiveness comes through Christ.

    Nevertheless, Peter plainly connects baptism with salvation. We should be careful not to dismiss what he affirms.

    This agrees with the instruction given by Peter on Pentecost, when those convicted of their sins asked what they should do. He answered, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins” (Acts 2:38).

    Jesus likewise commanded His apostles to preach the gospel throughout the world, declaring, “He who believes and is baptized will be saved” (Mark 16:16).

    These passages deserve careful consideration together.

    The Question Before Us

    If the New Testament speaks of being baptized into Christ, we ought to take that language seriously.

    Baptism does not earn salvation. Forgiveness comes through Jesus Christ. Yet the Scriptures consistently connect baptism with the believer’s response to the gospel.

    We must not diminish the necessity of faith, nor should we dismiss what the Lord has commanded. Our responsibility is to hear His word and respond in faith and obedience.

    A Prayer

    Holy Father, we thank You for the salvation made possible through Your Son. Give us honest hearts to receive Your word, the humility to obey it, and the courage to teach it faithfully. May we never place our own understanding above what You have revealed. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

    If you are studying this question for yourself, you may also want to read What Must One Do to Become a Christian? and Passages Concerning Water Baptism into Christ. If you are looking for a place to begin with Jesus and salvation, visit Looking for Jesus?.