WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY ABOUT BAPTISM?
1. FORESHADOWED in the Flood & Old Testament
(1 Peter 3:20-21) because they formerly did not obey, when God's patience waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is,eight persons, were brought safely through water. 21 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
2. John’s ministry of baptism POINTS TO JESUS
(Mt 3:11) I baptize you with water for repentance, but he who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.
3. Jesus was baptized because it was GOD’S PLAN
(Mt 3:15) But Jesus answered him, “Let it be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he consented.
4. In Jesus’ baptism we SEE THE TRINITY
(Mt 3:16-17) And when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him; 17 and behold, a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.”
5. Jesus LED HIS DISCIPLES
to baptize others (John 3:22) After this Jesus and his disciples went into the Judean countryside, and he remained there with them and was baptizing.
6. Baptism was the FIRST STEP of being a disciple
(John 4:1) Now when Jesus learned that the Pharisees had heard that Jesus was making and baptizing more disciples than John
7. Jesus COMMANDS us to baptize believers
(Mt 28:19) 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
8. Baptism was always connected with REPENTANCE AND BELIEF
(Acts 2:37-41) v.38 And Peter said to them, “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.”
9. Baptism was always IMMEDIATE
(Acts 2:37-41) v.41 So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls.
10. Baptism was always by IMMERSION
“baptizing at Aenon near Salim, because water was plentiful there” (John 3:23)
11. Baptism is always by a biblical, Christian church leader, with a BIBLICAL understanding of baptism
(Mark 1:1-11) “baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.”
12. Jesus said baptism is a PICTURE of faith
(Acts 1:5) for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”
13. For UNITY, not division
(1 Corinthians 1:10-17) For Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the gospel, and not with words of eloquent wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.
14. BAPTISM ALWAYS FOLLOWS SALVATION
Peter commands the Gentiles (non-Jews) to be baptized when they had already received the Holy Spirit (Acts 10:47-48)“Can anyone withhold water for baptizing these people, who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?” 48 And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to remain for some days.
The Ethiopian eunuch was EAGER when he saw water, asking, “See, here is water!
What prevents me from being baptized?” (Acts 8:38)