What the Bible Teaches on Baptism

By Bill Gaultiere © 2002

Kristi and I are thankful that each of our children, as we had each done when we were young, chose to be baptized to publicly identify themselves with Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. We discussed the New Testament teachings on the meaning and value of baptism with each of our children before they were baptized. And then for their baptism we had a special celebration service.

We’ve talked with parents who want to use their child’s baptism as a spiritual rite of passage and they have found these Scriptures to be helpful points for teaching and conversation.

We’ve also talked with adults who are getting baptized. Some are new Christians. Others were sprinkled as infants and now want to be baptized by immersion as adults.

John the Baptist prepared the way for Jesus’ Holy Spirit baptism

“I baptize with water those who turn from their sins and turn to God. But someone is coming soon who is far greater than I am–so much greater that I am not even worthy to be his slave.  He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.” (Matthew 3:11, NLT)

Disciples of Jesus are baptized in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit

“Go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.” (Matthew 28:19)

Water baptism is a confirmation of the baptism in the Holy Spirit

“Paul made his way down through the mountains, came to Ephesus, and happened on some disciples there.  The first thing he said was, `Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?  Did you take God into your mind only, or did you also embrace him with your heart?  Did he get inside you?’  ‘We’ve never even heard of that – a Holy Spirit?  God within us?’  ‘How were you baptized then?’ asked Paul.  ‘In John’s baptism.’  ‘That explains it,’ said Paul.  `John preached a baptism of radical life-change so that people would be ready to receive the One coming after him, who turned out to be Jesus.  If you’ve been baptized in John’s baptism, you’re ready now for the real thing, for Jesus.’  And they were.  As soon as they heard of it, they were baptized in the name of the Master Jesus.  Paul put his hands on their heads and the Holy Spirit entered them.  From that moment on, they were praising God in tongues and talking about God’s actions.” (Acts 19:1-6, The Message)

To be baptized is to have your sins washed away

“And now, why delay? Get up and be baptized, and have your sins washed away, calling on the name of the Lord.” (Ananias to Paul: Acts 22:16, NLT)

To be baptized is to join with Jesus in dieing to sin and being raised to new life

“When we became Christians and were baptized to become one with Christ Jesus, we died with him?  For we died and were buried with Christ by baptism.  And just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious power of the Father, now we also may live new lives.” (Romans 6:3-4, NLT)

Anyone who believes in Jesus can be baptized, regardless of their church background

“Some of us are Jews, some are Gentiles, some are slaves, and some are free. But we have all been baptized into Christ’s body by one Spirit, and we have all received the same Spirit.” (1 Corinthians 12:13)

Baptism is an initiation into a brand new life of forgiveness and intimacy with God

“If it’s an initiation ritual you’re after, you’ve already been through it by submitting to baptism.  Going under the water was a burial of your old life; coming up out of it was a resurrection, God raising you from the dead as he did Christ.  When you were stuck in your old sin-dead life, you were incapable of responding to God.  God brought you alive – right along with Christ!  Think of it!   All sins forgiven, the slate wiped clean, that old arrest warrant canceled and nailed to Christ’s Cross.” (Colossians 2:11-14, The Message)

Thank you!

Bill & Kristi