What is Baptism 25 Challenging and Best Verses About Baptism

Do YOU have the answers to the following questions on baptism? What is baptism? What is baptism according to the Bible? What does baptism mean? When should someone be baptized? To answer these questions we must go to the ONLY reliable source, right? The Bible…That said, what does the Bible say about baptism?

Have you grown up in the Church? If so, baptism seems to be a topic that the Church and Christians in general struggle with. Sweet friend, water baptism is extremely important as a born-again follower of Jesus Christ.

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Unfortunately, many feel that being dunked in the water will somehow rid them of their shame, mistakes, and past failures, and nothing is further from the truth. So, this being said, how are you saved?

1. Not by Works…YOU ARE SAVED BY GRACE
2. Not by Signing a Card…YOU ARE SAVED BY GRACE
3. Not through Communion…YOU ARE SAVED BY GRACE
4. Not by Church Membership…YOU ARE SAVED BY GRACE
5. Not by Walking Down an Isle…YOU ARE SAVED BY GRACE
6. Not by Living a Good Life…YOU ARE SAVED BY GRACE
7. Not by being a Moral Individual…YOU ARE SAVED BY GRACE
8. YOU ARE SAVED BY GRACE IN FAITH ALONE
9. YOU ARE SAVED BY GRACE IN GRACE ALONE
10. YOU ARE SAVED BY GRACE IN CHRIST ALONE

Salvation is accepting God’s unending grace and mercy. What you decide to do with God’s FREE gift of salvation is your choice alone.

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What Is Baptism?

Baptism is “immersion” or being “dunked” in water. When you are baptized, it is a symbol of cleansing. To put it another way, this symbolizes a purification or renewal of placing your trust in God. Baptism is your commitment to God. Are you baptized yet? If not, here you’ll learn what does the Bible say about Baptism?

Is Water Baptism Necessary In Order To Be Saved?

The short answer is no. However, as Christians, we are commanded to be baptized, and this is something you should want to do.

Water baptism is not necessary for salvation or going to Heaven. Believing in Jesus Christ who died for your sins and rose from the dead is necessary to go to Heaven.

With this said, however, let’s review a few questions many may have about salvation, first and foremost. Salvation is by…

1. Can a person go to Heaven without being baptized?
2. Can a person be forgiven by God without being baptized?
3. Where do people go to Heaven when they die?
4. How do you come into the right relationship with God?

Salvation is A Gift Of Grace Alone scriptures

And you were DEAD in the trespasses and sins. Ephesians 2:1

But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us. Ephesians 2:4

Even when we were dead in our trespasses, MADE US ALIVE together with Christ—by GRACE you have been saved. Ephesians 2:5

Not a result of works, so that no one may boast. Ephesians 2:9

And they said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.” Acts 16:31

Because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. Romans 10:9

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16

But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God. John 1:12

What Does The New Testament Teach You About Grace?

In the end, grace is about resurrection. What sin has killed it can now live again. Sweet friend, this is the GRACE and LOVE of God towards you. You couldn’t come to God, He came to you. You owe a debt you couldn’t pay on your own, but Jesus Christ paid a debt He didn’t owe for you!

Belief Comes Before Baptism

You first have to believe and accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, then after this, you get baptized. There’s no such thing as getting baptized early in life with the hopes you will believe later.

First and foremost, you must put your faith in Jesus, and then you are forgiven, you become justified, and then you are made ALIVE IN CHRIST. At this point, you have HOPE when you die, and it’s a done deal.

Then the next obvious step is to show the world what God did for you which leads to baptism.

2 biblical Examples On What Does The Bible Say About Baptism?

One of the early disciples named Phillip was preaching to a group of people, who were Samaritans in the Book of Acts, and it states…

But when they believed Philip as he proclaimed the good news of the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. Acts 8:12

An Ethiopian was reading Isaiah 53 and he’s reading about the coming Messiah, and how he was going to be bruised for our transgressions and sin. He was trying to understand what he was reading then Phillip showed up and shared the gospel with Him

As they traveled along the road, they came to some water and the eunuch said, “Look, here is water. What can stand in the way of my being baptized?” Acts 8:36

Philip said, “If you believe with all your heart, you may.” The eunuch answered, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.” Acts 8:37

And he gave orders to stop the chariot. Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and Philip baptized him. Acts 8:38

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Why Is Baptism Important?

In my opinion, the BEST place to start on this topic is with Jesus Christ himself. Baptism was a part of Jesus’ life in the beginning and in the end of His life. This leaves many with questions…such as…

1. Why is baptism so important?
2. What does it mean to be baptized?
3. Is it important HOW are you baptized?
4. Does it matter if you’re sprinkled, sprayed, or should you be dunked?

In the New Testament, we are introduced to baptism through John the Baptist…Jesus’ cousin. John’s message is clear…Get prepared…Get ready…The Kingdom of God is near…The Messiah is on His way. Thousands came to John to be baptized.

What Is Baptism According To The Bible?

The word baptized in the first century wasn’t religious. It was an everyday word that meant to be immersed, dipped, dunked, and submerged. In other religions there were ceremonial baths, right?

No matter what religion you are the following verse is the first recorded in history that there is a record of someone baptizing someone. This had never happened before.

And all the country of Judea and all Jerusalem were going out to him and were being baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. Mark 1:5

What Does Baptism Mean?

After listening to John preach many believed what he was preaching. It became truth to them and they wanted to associate their life and identity with the message of His teachings. So they went forward and allowed John to baptize them.

John baptized them as an outward expression of the inward transformation of their faith and belief accepting Jesus Christ as the Lord of their lives. Do you know Jesus walked 60 miles to be baptized by John…His cousin.

I don’t know about you but for me, this makes baptism extremely important. Not only this, but John was particular and specific about the location where He was baptizing people.

What Did Jesus Say About Baptism?

Let’s go to the bible verses about baptism where Jesus answers this question, shall we? There’s no denying that this is a command!

And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation. Mark 16:15

Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. Mark 16:16

The Baptism Of Jesus

In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. Mark 1:9

John The Baptist Exalts Christ

After this Jesus and his disciples went into the Judean countryside, and he remained there with them and was baptizing. John 22

John also was baptizing at Aenon near Salim, because water was plentiful there, and people were coming and being baptized, John 3:23

After Jesus was baptized His disciples started baptizing others as well. This began the history of baptism the way we know it and continue to practice it today.

Baptism Bible Verses

And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Matthew 28:18

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

Teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age. Matthew 28:20

Are you beginning to understand the definition of what is baptism?

What Does Baptism Mean For You Specifically?

Baptism is a picture of what you believe.

This started the idea of what Christians call a public confession of faith. Baptism is a public confession of faith that you have received Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.

So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls. Acts 2:41

We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. Romans 6:4

For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly also be united with him in a resurrection like his. Romans 6:5

What Does The Bible Say About Infant Baptism?

The Bible is specific about “What is Baptism,” “Who it is For,” and “What it Accomplishes.” In the Bible, only believers who had placed their faith in Jesus Christ were baptized…a public testimony of their faith and identification with Him.

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Water baptism by immersion is a step of obedience after faith in Jesus. It is a proclamation of faith in Jesus, a statement of submission to Him, and an identification with His death, burial, and resurrection.

With this in mind, a baby can NOT place faith in Jesus Christ. A baby can NOT make a conscious decision to obey Christ. A baby can NOT understand what water baptism symbolizes.

In my opinion, the method of infant baptism fails to agree with the Bible. How does pouring or sprinkling illustrate the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ?

Does it matter how you are Baptized According to the Bible?

Absolutely YES! It does matter!

Why?

What is the significance?

• Going into the water is the picture of Jesus’ death.
• Going under the water is the picture of Jesus’ burial.
• Coming up out of the water is the picture of Jesus’ resurrection.

This sweet friend is HOW your baptism means so much. It’s knowing the importance of walking with God daily.

Baptism Is A Profession Of What You Believe

Think back to the time you received Christ as your salvation. What statement were you making to the world? I’m certain you were proclaiming the Death, Burial, and Resurrection of your old life being made new in Jesus, right?

Baptism Is NOT A Profession Of Perfection

When Christians get baptized, you are NOT saying to the world that you have it all together. You are NOT saying you have victory over your struggles. You are NOT saying you are FREE from Sin. You are NOT saying you have all the answers. You are NOT saying you no longer have doubts. You are NOT saying you are better than everyone else.

How Is Baptism A Step Of Obedience?

Jesus modeled it and commanded it. In the New Testament, He commissioned it.

What Is Baptism And Why Is Baptism Important In Christianity?

As Christians and born-again followers of Jesus Christ baptism is important because Jesus set the standard for baptism.

In my opinion, I’d say it’s a true statement that most Christian denominations view baptism as an instruction from God and a way of following Jesus’ example.

When Christians…aka… believers are baptized they are proclaiming I’m no longer associated with darkness, but light. I’m no longer associated with condemnation but with forgiveness. I’m no longer associated with being lost, for now, I’m found. I’m no longer associated with being dead, because now I’m alive, in Christ.

What Are The Types Of Water Baptism?

I do NOT want to confuse anyone or judge another denomination on the various types of baptism. Hence the reason, I am not mentioning them. However, for me personally, I believe immersion in water baptism is modeling HOW Jesus was baptized.

As was previously stated, immersion baptism has a symbolic meaning.

Immersion is symbolic meaning a spiritual cleansing by Jesus’ death and burial and rising from the water with a new life. Does the water have some sort of magical properties? No. That said, as a follower of Jesus Christ I want to follow the example of my savior and be a good steward.

What Are The 3 Types Of Baptism In The Bible?

1. The Baptism of Water
2. The Baptism of the Holy Spirit
3. The Baptism of Fire

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. Matthew 3:11

1. The Baptism Of Water

After receiving salvation, they baptize you with water. This is being immersed in water as a public demonstration of the repentance of sins.

They also baptized Jesus Christ who had no sin, and He is our example.

2. The Baptism Of The Holy Spirit

The baptism of the Holy Spirit comes and empowers us to be witnesses for the kingdom of God. The Holy Spirit will guide and direct us to proclaim the gospel to those around us.

3. The Baptism Of Fire

The baptism of fire is the presence of God within us which also purifies us and helps us to live holy lives before God.

To put it another way, it’s having a passion and love of wanting to live more “Christ-like” and living a life of complete surrender to His will.

What Is Baptism Quotes

God’s people should be baptized because God commanded it, not because some church requires it.

John R. Rice

I thought I could have leaped from earth to heaven at one spring when I first saw my sins drowned in the Redeemer’s blood.

Charles Spurgeon

 Baptism is the initial step of a faithful heart.

Max Lucado

 God brings men into deep waters not to drown them, but to cleanse them.

James H. Aughey

Baptism is faith in action.

Watchman Nee

And as the circumcised in the flesh, and not in the heart, have no part in God’s good promises; even so they that be baptized in the flesh, and not in heart, have no part in Christ’s blood.

William Tyndale

 Baptism is bowing before the Father and letting him do his work.

Max Lucado

The seed dies into a new life, and so does man.

George Macdonald

 If a spring has not been opened in a soul, a spring of living water from God’s own Son, no waters can flow and there is no life in you.

G.V. Wigram

Baptism is an outward expression of an inward faith.

Watchman Nee

What Is Baptism Explained

Your Turn

Do you understand the importance of what is baptism according to the Bible? I’m not disrespecting anyone this is why I have so many bible verses about baptism listed. Your eternal destiny is too important.

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