What does the bible say about baptism?
There is a lot of confusion out there about the subject of "baptism." Some say baptism is the "means" of salvation. This means that the water of baptism imparts grace into the believer/child to cause them to be saved. On the other hand, some say that baptism is a mere symbol of salvation that has already taken place in the "heart" of the believer. This means that mental assent is the "means" of salvation. However, what does the bible actually say about baptism? Watch this sermon video for more information:
what does the bible say about baptism?
Scriptures about baptism:
What does the Bible Say About Baptism?
The Bible says Baptism is for the remission of sins.
Acts 2:38
Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
Acts 22:16
And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.
The Bible says there is only one Baptism.
Eph 4:5
One Lord, one faith, one baptism,
The Bible says it’s in water.
1 Peter 3:20-21
(20) Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water.
(21) The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:
Mark 1:9-10
(9) And it came to pass in those days, that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized of John in Jordan.
(10) And straightway coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens opened, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon him:
Acts 8:38-39
(38) And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.
(39) And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing.
The Bible says it saves us.
Mark 16:16
He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
1 Peter 3:21
Corresponding to that, 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.
The Bible says baptism accompanies the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Acts 2:38
Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
Gal 4:6
And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.
The Bible says baptism brings us into contact with the blood of Christ.
Col 2:11-13
(11) In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ:
(12) Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.
(13) And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;
1 John 5:8
And there are three that bear witness in earth, the spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one.
The Bible says baptism places us “in Christ”
Gal 3:27
For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
Rom 6:3
Or do you not konw that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus have been baptized into His death?
Col 3:2
3:1 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.
The Bible says baptism regenerates us into a new creature.
2 Cor 5:17
Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
Titus 3:5
Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;
The Bible says baptism is a likeness of the death, burial and resurrection of Christ.
Rom 6:4-5
(4) Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
(5) For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:
Col 2:12
Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.
The Bible says Baptism is for the remission of sins.
Acts 2:38
Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
Acts 22:16
And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.
The Bible says there is only one Baptism.
Eph 4:5
One Lord, one faith, one baptism,
The Bible says it’s in water.
1 Peter 3:20-21
(20) Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water.
(21) The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:
Mark 1:9-10
(9) And it came to pass in those days, that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized of John in Jordan.
(10) And straightway coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens opened, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon him:
Acts 8:38-39
(38) And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.
(39) And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing.
The Bible says it saves us.
Mark 16:16
He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
1 Peter 3:21
Corresponding to that, 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.
The Bible says baptism accompanies the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Acts 2:38
Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
Gal 4:6
And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.
The Bible says baptism brings us into contact with the blood of Christ.
Col 2:11-13
(11) In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ:
(12) Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.
(13) And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;
1 John 5:8
And there are three that bear witness in earth, the spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one.
The Bible says baptism places us “in Christ”
Gal 3:27
For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
Rom 6:3
Or do you not konw that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus have been baptized into His death?
Col 3:2
3:1 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.
The Bible says baptism regenerates us into a new creature.
2 Cor 5:17
Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
Titus 3:5
Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;
The Bible says baptism is a likeness of the death, burial and resurrection of Christ.
Rom 6:4-5
(4) Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
(5) For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:
Col 2:12
Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.
The Bible says Baptism is necessary
John 3:5
Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.”
Mark 16:16
He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
Matt 3:13-15
(13) Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him.
(14) But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me?
(15) And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him.
Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.”
Mark 16:16
He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
Matt 3:13-15
(13) Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him.
(14) But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me?
(15) And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him.
The Bible says baptism is commanded.
Matt 28:19-20
(19) Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit:
(20) Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
Acts 10:48
And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.
(19) Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit:
(20) Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
Acts 10:48
And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.
Answering objections
If we receive the Holy Spirit when we are baptized, what about Cornelius receiving the Holy Spirit before he was baptized? (Acts 10:44)
This a priori argument is presented as follows:
1) Premise one of false. Just because the Bible mentions someone being “full of the Holy Spirit” or that the “Holy Spirit comes upon them” or that they “received the Spirit” is NOT an indicator of a salvation experience. For instance, John the Baptist was “full of the Spirit” before birth, his mother Elizabeth was “full of the Spirit” when she heard Mary, and the Spirit “descended upon Jesus” like a dove after his baptism. None of these instances are indicators of a salvation experience.
2) Premise two is false because it commits the fallacy of equivocation by equating the Holy Spirit "coming upon" someone as one being of saved. The Holy Spirit is not the means of our salvation. He is the STAMP of our salvation, he is not the person of our salvation. This is VERY important: We are not saved by what God does IN us (Holy Spirit), but by what he did FOR us on the Cross. We are saved by the death and resurrection of Christ… NOT the indwelling gift of the Holy Spirit.
3) The Conclusion is EVIDENTLY FALSE. If a person assumes the Spirit coming upon the household of Cornelius as a salvation experience is to commit a presuppositional fallacy. What Scripture can be presented to make this a clear case? Is there anything in the book of Acts that confirms this assumption?
Contradicting the above argument, the bible says that if a person “ repents and is baptized in the name of Jesus for the remission of their sins they shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:38). It says that your sins may be wiped out if you “repent” so that refreshing may come from the Lord (Acts 3:19) and “God gives his Spirit to those who obey” (Acts 5:32). Furthermore, people who accepted the Gospel “believed and were baptized” and that they “accepted the word of God” (Acts 8:12-14). However, the Apostles also had to travel all the way to Samara from Jerusalem in order that the Holy Spirit would fall “upon them” (8:16). What about Cornelius?
Importantly, God told Cornelius he would be told “a message through which you and all your household will be saved” (Acts 11:14) and Peter said, “ Surely no one can stand in the way of their being baptized with water. They have received the Holy Spirit just as we (Apostles) have. So he commanded them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ” (Acts 10:47-48). This is the same Peter who said, “Repent, and be baptized everyone one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:38).
Cornelius had not even confessed Jesus as Lord! (Romans 10:9-10). How could a person be “saved” before they confess his Lordship or repent of their sin? When Paul talked about this conversion he said, “Arise and be Baptized washing away your sins calling on the name of the Lord” (Acts 22:16). If Paul received the Spirit before Baptism (as some believe), how could he be saved without his sins being forgiven? This would be immoral.
This a priori argument is presented as follows:
- Premise 1) Salvation Happens when the Holy Spirit comes to a person.
- Premise 2) The Holy Spirit comes to people both before and after baptism.
- Conclusion 3) Therefore, Salvation happens when the Holy Spirit comes to a person both before or after baptism.
1) Premise one of false. Just because the Bible mentions someone being “full of the Holy Spirit” or that the “Holy Spirit comes upon them” or that they “received the Spirit” is NOT an indicator of a salvation experience. For instance, John the Baptist was “full of the Spirit” before birth, his mother Elizabeth was “full of the Spirit” when she heard Mary, and the Spirit “descended upon Jesus” like a dove after his baptism. None of these instances are indicators of a salvation experience.
2) Premise two is false because it commits the fallacy of equivocation by equating the Holy Spirit "coming upon" someone as one being of saved. The Holy Spirit is not the means of our salvation. He is the STAMP of our salvation, he is not the person of our salvation. This is VERY important: We are not saved by what God does IN us (Holy Spirit), but by what he did FOR us on the Cross. We are saved by the death and resurrection of Christ… NOT the indwelling gift of the Holy Spirit.
3) The Conclusion is EVIDENTLY FALSE. If a person assumes the Spirit coming upon the household of Cornelius as a salvation experience is to commit a presuppositional fallacy. What Scripture can be presented to make this a clear case? Is there anything in the book of Acts that confirms this assumption?
Contradicting the above argument, the bible says that if a person “ repents and is baptized in the name of Jesus for the remission of their sins they shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:38). It says that your sins may be wiped out if you “repent” so that refreshing may come from the Lord (Acts 3:19) and “God gives his Spirit to those who obey” (Acts 5:32). Furthermore, people who accepted the Gospel “believed and were baptized” and that they “accepted the word of God” (Acts 8:12-14). However, the Apostles also had to travel all the way to Samara from Jerusalem in order that the Holy Spirit would fall “upon them” (8:16). What about Cornelius?
Importantly, God told Cornelius he would be told “a message through which you and all your household will be saved” (Acts 11:14) and Peter said, “ Surely no one can stand in the way of their being baptized with water. They have received the Holy Spirit just as we (Apostles) have. So he commanded them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ” (Acts 10:47-48). This is the same Peter who said, “Repent, and be baptized everyone one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:38).
Cornelius had not even confessed Jesus as Lord! (Romans 10:9-10). How could a person be “saved” before they confess his Lordship or repent of their sin? When Paul talked about this conversion he said, “Arise and be Baptized washing away your sins calling on the name of the Lord” (Acts 22:16). If Paul received the Spirit before Baptism (as some believe), how could he be saved without his sins being forgiven? This would be immoral.