What Does the Bible Say About Baptism?

by | Articles, The Church

Introduction

Baptism, a significant sacrament in Christianity, symbolizes spiritual rebirth and commitment to a life in Christ. This exploration seeks to uncover the multifaceted biblical teachings on baptism, examining its origins, rich symbolism, role as a public profession of faith, implications on salvation, and the transformative impact it has on the believer’s journey.

The Scriptural Foundation of Baptism: Baptism finds its roots in the pages of the Bible, where various passages highlight its significance:

  1. The Great Commission Matthew 28:19-20 (ESV): “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.”
  • This seminal passage showcases Jesus himself commanding his followers to baptize new believers, framing baptism as a non-negotiable aspect of Christian identity and calling from the very genesis of the faith.
  • As one of Jesus’ final instructions to the disciples, this emphasizes the integral nature of baptism in the making of new disciples across all nations.
  • Baptism gets positioned alongside spiritual growth and obedience at the heart of what it means to follow Jesus.
  1. Baptism’s Link to Conversion Acts 2:38 (ESV): “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”
  • Peter connects baptism directly to conversion, emphasizing it as the appropriate response to the gospel message of salvation through Christ.
  • This establishes baptism as an integral part of becoming a believer in Christ and entering God’s kingdom.
  • The passage ties baptism to fundamental Christian truths like repentance, forgiveness of sins, and receiving the Holy Spirit.
  1. Baptism Following Belief Acts 8:12 (ESV): “But when they believed Philip as he preached good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.”
  • Philip’s baptism of the Samaritans comes in immediate sequence after they embrace the gospel, with baptism offering visible evidence of their inward conversion.
  • The order reinforces faith must precede baptism, and baptism naturally follows belief.
  • It highlights baptism as the appropriate outward response to belief in Christ.
  1. Baptism of Households Acts 16:14-15 (ESV): “One who heard us was a woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyatira, a seller of purple goods, who was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to pay attention to what was said by Paul. And after she was baptized, and her household as well, she urged us, saying, “If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come to my house and stay.”
  • Lydia’s whole household being baptized after her conversion is used by some to argue for infant baptism, assuming children were part of her home.
  • However, given texts showing faith preceding baptism, this more likely supports household conversions rather than infant baptism.
  • It reinforces head of households can influence receptivity to the gospel for entire families.

Symbolism of Baptism: Baptism serves as a powerful symbol of the believer’s identification with Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection:

  1. Baptism as Dying and Rising with Christ
    Romans 6:3-4 (ESV): “Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.”
  • Paul draws a metaphorical parallel between submersion in baptismal waters and undergoing death with Christ, as well as emerging from waters relating to resurrection into new spiritual life empowered by the Holy Spirit.
  • This reflects baptism as a profound picture of what transpires spiritually – the old self has died and the believer now walks in new life with Christ.
  • Baptism signifies this deeper spiritual truth made possible by God’s divine power raising Jesus and believers to life.
  1. Baptism as Burial and Rising
    Colossians 2:12 (ESV): “having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead.”
  • The emphasis remains on baptism mirroring Christ’s death and resurrection, the old self dying and the new self coming alive.
  • Baptism points to the reality of the old nature put to death as the believer rises anew.
  • This spiritual truth occurs by faith through God’s resurrection power seen supremely in raising Jesus.
  1. Baptism as Cleansing
    1 Peter 3:21 (ESV): “Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.”
  • Peter connects the cleansing symbolized in water baptism to an inward clearing of conscience before God on the basis of Christ’s resurrection.
  • The physical washing depicts the spiritual washing of regeneration and renewal Christians undergo in salvation.
  • It represents outward evidence of the inner washing of sin by God’s grace through faith.
  1. Baptism as Circumcision of Heart Colossians 2:11-12 (ESV): “In him also you were circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, having been buried with him in baptism…”
  • Paul parallels baptism with circumcision of heart, both representing the putting off of sin and fleshly nature.
  • As Old Testament circumcision initiated people into God’s covenant, baptism marks initiation into Christ and the new covenant.
  • The spiritual truth embodied in physical baptism is the radical transformation of the believer’s life in union with Christ.

Baptism as a Public Declaration of Faith: Publicly declaring one’s faith through baptism is a testimony to the transformative power of Christ:

  1. Baptism as Putting On Christ Galatians 3:27 (ESV): “For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.”
  • Paul depicts baptism as ceremonially “putting on” Christ, encapsulating the public pledge to follow Jesus exclusively that baptism represents.
  • The image conveys the apostle’s high view of baptism as the badge identifying Christ’s disciples.
  • It spotlights baptism as the defining moment of allying oneself to Christ in front of witnesses.
  1. Baptism Uniting Believers Ephesians 4:4-6 (ESV): “There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.”
  • Listing baptism among pivotal Christian truths reinforces its role uniting believers into the one body of Christ.
  • This oneness springs from the shared public pledge declaring allegiance to the one Lord as His disciples.
  • Baptism marks the entryway into this Spirit-bonded community united around one calling, one faith, one God.
  1. Baptism as Appeal to God 1 Peter 3:21 (ESV): “Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.”
  • Peter connects baptism to an appeal or pledge made to God for clear conscience on the basis of Christ’s resurrection.
  • The baptismal plunge serves as the new believer’s contractual agreement with God for new life in Christ.
  • It represents the initiatory appeal to God for salvation and sanctification in Jesus.
  1. Baptism Proclaiming Lordship Acts 2:38 (ESV): “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”
  • Baptism in the authority and name of Christ reflects His sovereign Lordship over the believer.
  • It represents becoming the possession and disciple of Jesus who now reigns supreme.
  • The ritual encapsulates the public proclamation of believing in and obeying Jesus alone.

Perspectives on Baptism Timing and Recipients:
The Bible presents some tensions on the timing and recipients of baptism:

  1. Baptizing Whole Households Acts 16:14-15 (ESV): “…And after she was baptized, and her household as well, she urged us, saying, “If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come to my house and stay.”
  • Since the household baptisms follow examples of individuals believing first, these suggest household conversions rather than infant baptism.
  • Still, some interpret these texts as grounds for baptizing the infants and children of believing parents.
  • It shows those with authority can sway families spiritually for or against the gospel.
  1. Baptism Following Profession of Faith Acts 8:36-38 (ESV): “And as they were going along the road they came to some water, and the eunuch said, “See, here is water! What prevents me from being baptized?” And he commanded the chariot to stop, and they both went down into the water, Philip and the eunuch, and he baptized him.”
  • The sequence showing hearing the gospel, believing then getting baptized suggests believer’s baptism upon profession of faith as the norm.
  • This passage does not mention baptizing the eunuch’s family or children.
  • It supports individual conviction and public confession of faith as prerequisites to baptism.
  1. Baptizing Entire Nations Matthew 28:19 (ESV): “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”
  • Jesus’ commission to baptize whole nations signals baptism applies widely across communities and demographics rather than restricting it to believers with a mature profession of faith.
  • This offers biblical rationale for practice of infant or household baptism along with ongoing catechizing toward personal belief.
  • It shows geography or background should not limit who gets baptized into Christ’s kingdom.
  1. Baptizing Individuals John 4:1 (ESV): “Now when Jesus learned that the Pharisees had heard that Jesus was making and baptizing more disciples than John.”
  • John distinguishes Jesus and his disciples baptizing individual new believers separately from John’s baptisms.
  • This reinforces the principle that baptisms followed targeted evangelism prompting personal conversions rather than automatic rites.
  • The text reveals the early church actively missionizing individuals whose baptisms reflected conscious faith.

Baptism and Salvation: While baptism is a symbol of salvation, the Bible clarifies salvation comes through faith:

  1. Salvation through Faith Alone
    Ephesians 2:8-9 (ESV): “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.”
  • Salvation occurs by grace through faith alone rather than any ritual acts or works – a truth applying to baptism as well.
  • Attempting to add baptism or other works to faith as the basis of salvation divides sole glory from Christ and His cross.
  • This confirms believers receive pardon of sins and right standing through repentance and faith in Christ exclusively.
  1. Holy Spirit Preceding Baptism Acts 10:44-48 (ESV): “While Peter was still saying these things, the Holy Spirit fell on all who heard the word…Then Peter declared, ‘Can anyone withhold water for baptizing these people, who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?’”
  • Since the Holy Spirit came upon the Gentiles prior to baptism, Peter permits their subsequent baptism since regeneration already transpired solely through faith.
  • God used this to demonstrate that salvation comes through faith alone apart from any ritual prerequisites.
  • This shows exceptions can occur to the normal order of salvation preceding baptism.
  1. Baptism as Outward Sign 1 Peter 3:21 (ESV): “Baptism…now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.”
  • While a symbol of inward salvation, Peter clarifies baptism itself does not spiritually cleanse like soap removes dirt from skin.
  • Rather, it signifies the appeal to God for clear conscience that faith in Christ’s resurrection provides.
  • Baptism offers a tangible pledge of what God has already accomplished invisibly through redeeming sinners by grace.
  1. Indwelling Spirit Certifying Salvation Romans 8:9-10 (ESV): “You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him. But if Christ is in you, although the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit is life because of righteousness.” – Paul presents the Spirit dwelling within as the stamp certifying genuine salvation. By implication, lack of God’s Spirit confirms lack of salvation. – This inner witness outranks any external rituals in validating redemption. The Spirit signifies Christ’s ownership and salvation of believers.
    – Therefore, baptism serves as secondary evidence of the life-giving Spirit already animating converts through faith.

Conclusion

In conclusion, while perspectives on its timing and recipients vary, baptism as rooted in biblical teaching functions significantly as a symbol of identity with Christ in His death and resurrection, a pledge of allegiance to Him alone, and a statement of participation in His transforming work – available to all responding in repentance and faith. The sacrament represents a milestone inaugurating the believer’s new life of discipleship through publicly declaring conversion. Yet the New Testament upholds baptism as an outward testimony to inward salvation by grace rather than a prerequisite for salvation.