Water Baptism-Verses
Baptism is one of
two spiritual/physical means Christ instituted in which we become one with our
Savior (Eph 3:16-17) and have our sins forgiven (Ac 22:16). The other is the
Lord’s Supper (Mt 26:26-28) and will be discussed next. In Baptism we come,
spiritual action, and believe our Lord’s words of institution, spiritual faith,
which are said over water, a physical element, and then we are washed by the
water, a physical action. These spiritual/physical interactions spiritually
unite us with Jesus, and through a repentant heart our sins are forgiven (Ac
2:38). The water does nothing without the words, and the words do not baptize
us without the water. But by our Lord’s words, by our faith in the words, by
washing with water, baptism’s spiritual/physical relationship is turned into a
spiritual blessing (Mk 16:16). The New
Covenant allows us to become spiritually one with our Savior, to know Him, to
come to Him, to be part of Him (Gal 2:20, 1Jn 4:13). Jesus died for our atonement and arose from
the dead, Jesus can forgive our sins, our salvation is complete (Ro 4:25, 1Pe
3:18).
Water
Baptism –
Water baptism is
becoming one with our Heavenly Father, with Jesus Christ our Savior, and with
the Holy Spirit; through God’s Word (Matt 28:19), through a faith and desire to
come to our Lord (Ac 2:40-41), and by being washed with water (Ac 22:16).
Baptism makes us one with Christ (
All believers should be baptized: Men, women, and children. (Matt 28:19, Ac
2:39, Ac 8:12)
Only one baptism is needed (Eph 4:5). The only rebaptism in the
Scriptures was to those who only had John’ baptism, were not baptized into
Christ (Ac 19:1-7).
When to baptize: One’s beliefs, convictions should
determine how they and their children are baptized, how they baptize others.
But it is much easier to accept Jesus as a baby or young child when one’s mind
is receptive to our Lord (Matt 18:3). It becomes harder as one grows older to
overcome their worldly mind, become childlike in faith once more in order to
accept the Spirit (Ro 8:7-9). Peter baptized the jailer’s children (Ac 16:33),
and offered baptism to children (Ac 2:39). But we do not know the age of the
children.
*Infants, little
children – While still in the womb those known by God have a spirit
mature enough to know their Lord (Ps 22:10), know right from wrong (Ps 58:3),
and react to Jesus (Lk 1:44). Some baptize infants for they can spiritually
praise their God (Matt 21:16), trust in Him (Ps 22:9), and are receptive to the
Spirit (Mk 10:15). Jesus wants us to bring little children to Him (Mk 10:14),
for the
*Young children –
Others believe one must be old enough to mentally as well as spiritually accept
their Lord. Young children can express their belief in Jesus by verbally accepting
Him and repenting of their sins (Ac 2:28). Infants and little children should
be kept in the Lord by a believing parent teaching them about their Savior
(1Cor 7:14). Even after baptism Christians, especially their parents, should
continue to teach the children about the Lord (Ps78:5).
*When they have
been taught – When one is grown up they should be instructed in the Word about
Jesus before they are baptized (Ac 8:34-35, 16:32). But one does not need a
complete educational course to be baptized. All one needs to know is who God
is, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit (Matt 28:19). That Jesus is their
Savior, that He died to forgive our sins (Ro 6:23). That one needs to be sorry
for their sins, wanting to start a new life in Jesus Christ (Ac 5:18-20). That
the Bible is the only true Word of God, it tells us about the love of Jesus and
how He would have us live (Ro 1:6, 15:4). The time will vary as to when one is
ready to accept Jesus, some will need more teaching, others less, but when one
believes in Jesus with all of their hearts they should be baptized (Ac 8:37).
We should get the Spirit working the hearts of those desiring to come to Jesus
as soon as possible (Ac 22:16). Then make sure we pray for, nurture, and help
the new believers as they grow in their Lord (Eph 6:18,
Christ’s words of institution for Baptism (Matt 28:19):
Their name, I
baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
How to baptize with the water: There are three ways one can be baptized.
1. By pouring out
water on one’s head while saying these words.
2. By immersing
one in water after saying these words.
3. By sprinkling
water on one’s head while saying these words.
The most important
part is not how we are washed, but that we are washed through Christ’s holy
words of baptism, our desire to come to Christ, and physically with water (1Pe
3:21). We are under the New Covenant of spiritual grace where we can come
directly to our Savior, where the intent in our hearts is more important than
laws and rules (Gal 3:11, Col 2:9-23). Each should use their own conscience on
which way to be baptized. Those with medical conditions, who are old, or are
infants, should have water poured out or sprinkled on their heads only.
Biblically the word baptize has the
following meanings:
1. Washing - “The
washing (Greek word baptizo) of cups and pots, brazen vessels, and tables or
eating couches”. When washing (baptize) a cup it can be immersed under the
water, when washing (baptize) a table or couch water is poured out or sprinkled
out to clean it. Mark 7:4
A baptism was a
ceremonial washing. John 3:25
2. Pour out. - Ac
1:5, and 2:33 uses pour out and baptize interchangeably. We are baptized with the Spirit (Not the same
as being baptized with water) – Matt 3:11, Mk 1:8, Lk 3:16, Jn 1:33, Ac 1:5.
The Spirit is Poured out on us –
Isa 44:3, Ezk 39:29, Joel 2:28-29, Acts 2:16-17,33, 10:45, 1Ti 1:14, Tit 3:6.
3. United with the
Lord. Colossians 2:12
4. Consecrated
into a ministry, service, or special work for the Lord. Luke 12:50
There is no definitive action or situation which clears up how to baptize with water.
*The beginning of
Christian baptism:
John was announced
as the forerunner to Christ (Lk 3:4) before and was six months older than Jesus
(Lk1:36). John was the prophet, like Elijah, who came to announce the coming of
Christ and prepare the nation for the Messiah (Lk 1:17). John told all he was
not great, Christ was the coming Messiah (Lk 3:16). John told all his way of
baptism was not complete, that it was for repentance only, that Christ would
baptize with the Holy Spirit (Matt 3:11, Ac 11:16). John being a great prophet
(Matt 11:11) like Moses and a Levite priest (Lk 1:5-13), could ceremonially
wash the Levites, the firstborn (Lk 2:23, Col 1:15), set then apart (Num 8:
16-18), present the servants (Isa 42:1, 53:11, Matt 12:18) in the Lord’s work,
those who worked for the atonement of the Israelites (Nu 8:19-22), and could
also wash the high priest for ordination (Lev 8:6). After John baptized Jesus, John’s earthly
mission wound down (Jn 3:26, 4:1) and he was imprisoned (Matt 11:2) and finally
beheaded (Matt 14:10-13). Jesus after being tempted began His ministry (Matt
4:12-17). This was a successful ministry and included having His disciples baptize
for repentance (Jn 4:2). The Holy Spirit was not given in baptism until after
Christ’s death and resurrection (Ac 1:4), and this is the water baptism (Matt
28:19, Ac 19:1-7) we now receive in the New Covenant of grace through Jesus
Christ (Heb 9:15).
*About the baptism
of Jesus:
Jesus was thirty
(Lk 3:23) when He sought out John to be baptized. Thirty was the original age
God set for Levites, the firstborn, to begin working for the Lord (Nu 4:47),
the same age David became King (2 Sam 5:4). John, feeling unworthy, was
reluctant to baptize Jesus (Matt 3:13-14) until Jesus told John it was needed
to fulfill all righteousness (Matt 3:15). Jesus did not come to repent and have
His sins forgiven, for Jesus had no sin (Heb 4:15). Jesus needed to be ceremonial
clean, He was the righteous one (Isa 42:6, 1Jn 2;1), the servant (Ro 15:8) that
fulfilled the Old Testament prophesies (Lk 24:27, 32, 44), under the Old
Covenant law (Matt 5:17-18). This was the beginning of Christ’s ministry (Ac
1:22, 10:37), Christ was baptized into His ministry, death on the cross for the
atonement of sin (Lk 12:50). Jesus was consecrated, set apart, and presented to
His Heavenly Father (Lk 3:21-22). And most important of all Jesus was anointed
by the Holy Spirit as the Messiah, God’s only Son (Ps 2:2, Matt 3:16, Jn
1:33-34, Ac 4:23-31), who came from Heaven to die on the cross for sinners (
There are two Old Covenant washings for beginning of one’s work in the Lord.
1. All firstborn
were given to serve the Lord (Ex 13:12, Lk 2:23), even though they were later replaced
by the Levites (Nu 8:16-18). They were given to Aaron and his sons as servants
to do the Lord’s work (Nu 8:19). But they had to be ceremonial cleaned by
sprinkling (Nu 8:5-7+15), set apart and presented to the Lord (Nu 8:13-14).
Christ is the firstborn, consecrated to serve God (Lk 2:23). He fulfills the
prophecy of being a servant for God (Ro 15:8, Isa 42:1, Matt 12:18).
2. Priests are to
be washed prior to starting their ministry (Ex 29: 1,4,9). We are told that
Christ is our High Priest (Heb 7: 11-28). They were washed from a basin (Ex
30:18, Lev8:11) either by taking water out and pouring it over one, or by
washing one in the basin.
Jesus was washed
for righteousness, most likely as the firstborn, a servant to begin His work,
for this was ceremonial and had to be done. He could also have been washed to
be consecrated as High Priest, but this was to make one holy and Jesus was
holy. Or it could have been for both.
There are no definitive passages in the
Bible on how to apply the
water for baptism. For verses can be interrupted different ways:
*Many believe Mark
1:10, “coming up out of the water” to mean Jesus went under the water and now
was coming up. But it could also have meant that Jesus was coming up from the
water on to the bank as is meant in “came up out of the water” in Ac 8:39. For
both Phillip and the eunuch were coming up out of the water on to the bank, and
both would not have been submerged under the water at the same time. Moreover
Luke tells us Jesus was praying as the Holy Spirit anointed Him (Lk 3:21,
4:18). God was introducing His Son to the ministry, not introducing baptism
(Matt 3:17). One is not consecrated, anointed while still standing in the water
that washed them, but when they are out, set apart as they are presented to the
Lord, in the open, publicly for all to see (Nu 8:13). The Holy Spirit descended
on Jesus for all clearly to see, anointing the Son of God (Mt 16:16), the
Messiah (Jn 1:41, 4:25-26), the King (Zec 9:9, Mk 15:2), the High Priest (Heb
9:11), the Servant (Is 53:11, Phil 2:7), the Firstborn (Col 1:15), to begin His
ministry (Isa 42:1, Ps 2:2, Lk 4:18, Ac 10:38). The Heavenly Father was proud
of His Son, was showing off His Son for all to see, was setting His Son apart
as the Messiah, the Christ that would save all from their sins (Matt 3:17, Jn
1:32-34).
*Others believe
that we are buried into death with Jesus through baptism (Ro 6:4). A picture of
one’s physical body is depicted, resulting in a belief that we are totally
covered in the grave so we must be totally covered under the water. But others
believe differently. That we are united with Jesus spiritually, not physically
in baptism (Ro 8 9-11). Since we are one spiritually with Christ, spiritually
we live in His body. We were therefore spiritually buried in Christ’s body and
through its perfection are able to become righteous. Through Christ’s physical
death we are able to have our sins spiritually forgiven (Heb 9:28). And because
we are spiritually holy, one day our bodies will be made holy, glorified by the
Lord as they are united with our spiritual souls to live in Heaven forever
(1Cor 15:41-54). We do not look down to the grave when one is baptized, but up
to the Heaven where they are spiritual united with our Lord (Heb 12:22-24). We
should focus on how Jesus baptizes us with the Holy Spirit, not how John
baptized with water (Ac 1:5).
There are three baptisms in the New Covenant: (for 1+2 see Baptism
of the Holy Spirit)
1. Being Born Again, having our original
sin forgiven, through baptism or
pouring out of the Holy Spirit: 1Cor 12:13, John 3:3+5. When God brings the
nation of Israel back together in the New Covenant He is going to sprinkle
their sins away ( Eze 36:24-29).
2. Receiving manifestations or spiritual
blessings from the Holy Spirit as we are baptized with the Spirit or have
Him poured out on us: Ac 1:5 - Ac 2:33 The disciples did not receive water
baptism at this time, and already had received the Spirit (Jn 20:22), they just
received the power of the Spirit to begin their ministry (Ac 1:8).
3 Water baptism: Jesus instituted with
the words, “Baptize them in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy
Spirit” (Matt 28:19).
We can be born again, be baptized with the Holy Spirit (not
water baptism) and receive manifestations of the Holy Spirit, before, during,
or after our water baptism. Water
baptism is different from being baptized by the Spirit. (See Baptism of The
Holy Spirit)
*Before – Many
meet the Spirit, believe in Christ, and have the faith, are born again, before
they are baptized. Peter could not refuse to baptize gentiles because they had
received the Spirit the same as the apostles had. This was before they were
baptized (Ac 11:15-17).
*During – Many
repent, want to meet Jesus, desire to be baptized. In baptism all are given the
Holy Spirit, and by accepting the Spirit many are enabled to have the faith to
be born again. They are united with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, their
sins are forgiven (Ac 2:38-39).
*After – When we
accept the Spirit we are strengthened, and given spiritual blessings all of our
lives (Phil 1:6). But many do not completely accept the Spirit. Some, including
those who are active in a Christian congregation, who were baptized, and
considered themselves to be Christians, have never completely given their heart
to Jesus. They did not allow the Spirit to transform their will to become our
Lord’s will. Some later in life, often many years after their baptism, finally
completely accept the Spirit, believe in Jesus. Their baptismal gift of the
Holy Spirit comes to life in their hearts, they are given the faith, the love,
to become one with their Savior, to be born again (Lk 15:11-32). Others remain
lost forever, even though they believe themselves to be Christians, even though
they are baptized, are active, are even leaders in their congregations (Matt
7:21-23). To be saved we must live by the Spirit, let Him lead us to the grace
of Jesus Christ (Gal 5:24-25).
We may never
completely understand baptism of the Holy Spirit or water baptism until we are
with our Savior in Heaven (Ps 145:3, Phil 4:7). But we must have the faith and
love to believe spiritually accept that which is not physically comprehensible
(Pr 3:5, Isa 55:8). We should try to get the Holy Spirit working in all as soon
as possible (Ac 22:16), for only the Spirit can open one’s mind to Jesus and
allow Him into our hearts (1Cor 12:3, Rev 22:17). Only the Spirit can give us
the faith to love, trust, and follow our Lord, even though we will never be
able to fathom our Lord’s great love for us (Isa 40:28, Eph 3:19).