BAPTISM PASSAGES

Baptism Passages
In the Bible, the words baptize, baptism, baptist, baptizeth, and baptizing are used a total
of 100 times according to Strong's Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible. Using Strong's,
a list of all of the New Testament passages referencing baptism are as follows:

Matthew 3:6, 7, 11, 13, 14, 16

Matthew 20:22,23
Matthew 21:25
Matthew 28:19
Mark 1:4, 5, 8, 9
Mark 10:38, 39
Mark 11:30
Mark 16:16
Luke 3:3, 7, 12, 16, 21
Luke 7:29, 30
Luke 12:50
Luke 20:40
John 1:25, 26, 28, 31, 33
John 3:22, 23, 26
John 4:1, 2
John 10:40
Acts 1:5, 22
Acts 2:38, 41
Acts 8:12, 13, 16, 36, 38
Acts 9:18
Acts 10:37, 47, 48
Acts 11:16
Acts 13:24
Acts 16:15, 33
Acts 18:8, 25
Acts 19:3, 4, 5
Acts 22:16
Romans 6:3, 4
I Corinthians 1:10-17
I Corinthians 10:2
I Corinthians 12:13
I Corinthians 15:29
Galatians 3:27
Ephesians 4:5
Colossians 2:12
Hebrews 6:2
1 Peter 3:21
Baptism Defined
As one considers the meaning of the word "baptism," he or she must turn to the proper
source to obtain the Biblical definition of baptism. It is folly for one to turn to our modern
English dictionaries to obtain the Bible definition because the English language evolves
over time and the meaning of words change. The Bible, however, does not change
(Malachi 3:6), but is our constant guide to salvation.
Furthermore, most English dictionaries define words as they are currently used. To
illustrate this point, most English dictionaries define baptism as sprinkling, pouring, or
immersion. Sprinkling and pouring, however, did not become acceptable for baptism
until centuries after Christ died.
Prior to the Bible's translation into English, the English language had no word for
baptism. Our English word "baptism" comes from the Greek word "baptizo."(The New
Testament of the Bible, where we find the references to baptism, was originally written in
Koine Greek.) Baptizo does not mean sprinkling or pouring, but immersion. The Koine
Greek language had a separate word for sprinkling, "rhantizo." [Vine's Expository
Dictionary of New Testament Words (Mac Donald Publishing Company)] Similarly, the
Greek word for "pour" is "epicheo." [Vine's Expository Dictionary of New Testament
Words (Mac Donald Publishing Company)]

How do widely accepted sources of Biblical concordances and Greek lexicons define
baptism?
Strong's Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (Abingdon Press 1986) defines baptism as
follows: "to make whelmed (i.e. fully wet)."
Vine's Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words (Mac Donald Publishing
Company) defines baptism, as "used in the N.T.," as meaning referring to "washing
oneself," and refers to the story of Naaman who was commanded in the Old Testament to
"dip himself" seven times in the Jordan River. (2 Kings 5:14)
Thus in the Bible, "baptism" means immersion; it means whoever is baptized must get
totally under the surface of the water. In his letters to both the Romans and the
Colossians, Paul writes that in baptism we are "buried with" Christ (Romans 6:4;
Colossians 2:12), and when we rise out of the water of baptism, we arise a "new man"
with Christ and share in the glory of His resurrection from death (Romans 6:1-14;
Colossians 2:12). Do we bury only someone's head? Or when we bury someone, do we
only sprinkle or pour a little dirt over a portion of the body? Certainly not! When we bury
someone, every piece and portion of their body is completely under the surface of the
Earth. Similarly, when we baptize someone, the whole body must be under the surface of
the water.

How does the Bible use the word "baptism?"

As one studies the passages listed in the table above, it becomes evident that the Bible
speaks about different types of baptisms:
The baptism of John Matthew 3:6
Matthew 21:25
The baptism of fire Matthew 3:11-12
The baptism of suffering Matthew 20:22-23
The baptism of the Holy Spirit Matthew 3:11
Mark 1:8
Acts 1:5
The baptism of the Great Commission Matthew 28:18-20
Mark 16:16
How can there be five baptisms? In his letter to the Ephesians, Paul writes that there is
but one baptism (Ephesians 4:5). A study of the passages in the first table above reveals
that the baptism of Ephesians 4:5 is the baptism of the Great Commission (Matthew
28:18-20; Mark 16:16). The reasons for this conclusion are as follows:
The baptism of the Great Commission was a command of our Lord that was to be
administered upon individuals who had been taught the truth (Matthew 28:18-20).
The baptism of the Great Commission was administered by men by the authority of
Christ (Matthew 28:18-20).
The baptism of the Great Commission involved water (Acts 8:36-38; Acts 10:47-48).
The baptism of the Great Commission was a command that was needful to obey to obtain
the remission of sins (Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38).
But what about the other four types of baptisms?

The baptism of John.

Although the baptism of John was for the remission of sins (Mark 1:4) and commanded
by God, it was not a baptism into Christ, but a baptism of limited duration - it lasted until
the New Testament went into effect (Acts 19:1-6). Notice that the disciples in Acts 19
that had been baptized into John's baptism, had to be baptized again after Christ died.
Why? Why wasn't the first baptism sufficient? Because baptism only counts when it is
performed the right way and for the right reason. There are four "essential elements" of
Bible baptism:
The proper MODE: a burial (immersion) - Ro 6:3; Co 2:12
The proper AUTHORITY: in the name of Christ - Ac 19:5
The proper PURPOSE: remission of sins - Ac 2:38; 22:16
The proper SUBJECT: penitent believer - Ac 2:38; 8:37; Mk 16:16
The lesson in Acts 19 is that if you have been baptized, but either improperly (e.g., as an
infant, or by pouring or sprinkling), or for the wrong reason (e.g., to join a church, or for
repentance), or for any reason other than the remission of sins, it was not sufficient for
salvation and you need to be baptized again.
An analogous Old Testament lesson can be found in Naaman (2 Kings 5:1-27). Naaman
was instructed to dip seven times in the Jordan River and God would cleanse him of his
leprosy. Naaman initially refused because he believed that it did not matter what river he
washed in (2 Kings 5:11-12), but Naaman was not cured of his leprosy until he did as
God commanded. The same lesson is true for us. We will not be saved until we do as God
commands and we should not be so arrogant as to believe that our wisdom or thinking is
superior to God's (I Corinthians 1:18-31; Isaiah 55:8).

The baptisms of fire and suffering.

The baptisms of fire and suffering are used figuratively, not literally. The baptism of fire
describes an immersion of eternal torment. The baptism of suffering describes an
immersion of suffering for the cause of Christ.

The baptism of the Holy Spirit.

The baptism of the Holy Spirit is a topic of needless widespread confusion. Today, we
are not baptized in the baptism of the Holy Spirit, but the baptism for the remission of
sins. The Bible only describes two incidents of Holy Spirit baptism, the Apostles in
Jerusalem at Pentecost, and the gentiles with Cornelius of Caesarea, the centurion in the
Italian Regiment (Acts 1:4-5; Acts 2:3,14; Acts 10:44-46; Acts 11:14-17; Acts 15:7-9).
Considering the different purposes between the two baptisms (Holy Spirit versus
remission of sins), it is easy to see why we receive one and not the other. First, we need
the remission of sins for salvation. (Consider the authority cited above.) Second, the
miraculous gifts accompanying Holy Spirit baptism (i.e., speaking in tongues), like all
other occasions of miracles, occurred for the purpose of establishing God's authority and
power on occasion where approval of someone else (e.g., an Apostle so that gentiles
should receive the Gospel). Note that after Cornelius and the other gentiles received the
baptism of the Holy Spirit, they still needed water for the baptism for the remission of
sins (Acts 10:44-48). Thus, even when one was baptized in the Holy Spirit, it did not
occur at the instant of water baptism. In addition, consider the following:
Holy Spirit baptism was neither commanded or administered by men (Matthew 3:11).
In the Bible, men did not know when Holy Spirit baptism would occur (Acts 1:4-8; Acts
2:2-4; Acts 10:44-45).
There is no command in the Bible that everyone should receive Holy Spirit baptism.
Holy Spirit baptism only occurred on two occasions in the Bible (Acts 1:4-5; Acts 2:3,14;
Acts 10:44-46; Acts 11:14-17; Acts 15:7-9).
Holy Spirit baptism was not for the remission of sins.

Who may (or should) be baptized?

Who are proper subjects for baptism? Not infants or small children because their souls
are not in jeopardy until the are capable of understanding God's word. In addition, people
who either do not believe, or do not want to be saved are not proper subjects for baptism
because without faith, all they will accomplish is getting wet. (Without faith it is
impossible to please God, Hebrews 11:6.)
Who then qualifies for baptism?
Someone that is capable of hearing the Gospel and understanding its message (Romans
10:17; James 1:21).
Someone that believes that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God (John 8:24; Mark 16:16;
John 14:6).
Someone who repents of his sins (note: repentance is not simply saying, "I am sorry," but
is a change of mind followed by a change in actions - see Matthew 21:28-31).
Someone who is willing to confess Christ as the Son of the living God (Romans 10:10;
Matthew 10:32-33; Acts 8:37; Matthew 16:16).
Why should someone be baptized, and what is the purpose of baptism?
We should be baptized because it is commanded by God (Matthew 28:18-20; Mark
16:16), and because it is necessary for salvation (Mark 16:16, John 3:3; 1 Peter 3:21).

What is the effect of baptism?

The remission (or forgiveness) of sins (Acts 2:38), and salvation (Mark 16:16, 1 Peter
3:21).

How am I saved, and what saves me?

You are saved by grace through faith.
Despite all of the discussion on baptism, it alone does not save you. Similarly, faith alone
does not save you either (James 2:17-26). Instead, you are saved by grace through faith
(Ephesians 2:1-9).
Grace is unmerited favor. In laymen's terms, it is a favor God did for us even though we
do not deserve it. Does this mean that He will permit us to go to Heaven without hearing,
believing, confessing, repenting, and being baptized? No! We must still do all of those
things, and obey, and go to church, and worship Him. Just because we do all of these
things does not mean that the gift of grace given to us by God is no longer unmerited, or
earned. Instead, by doing all of the things God has commanded, we are demonstrating our
faith and obedience.
After we have been saved, continued obedience is necessary to prevent ourselves from
"falling from grace" (I Corinthians 10:12; Galatians 5:4; Hebrews 10:26; II Peter 1:10).

What is faith?
"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen."
Hebrews 11:1
Simply put, faith is belief, but belief alone will not save, for even the demons believe that
Jesus is the Christ, but they are not saved. (James 2:19)
Nobody in the Bible was ever baptized in the titles Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Thousands of people were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 2:36-41;
8:5, 14-16; 10:48; 19:1-7; 22:16; 1 Corinthians 1:11-13). Only one verse in the Bible
(Mattthew 28:19) mentions Father, Son and Holy Spirit in connection with baptism, but
no baptism was performed in Matthew 28:16-20. Matthew and the other apostles knew
that the name of the son is Jesus (Matthew 1:21), the father is the Holy Spirit (John 4:24;
Luke 2:35) and has the same name as the son (John 5:43; 14:8-10; 1 John 5:20). They
ordered everyone (Jews, Samaritans, and Gentiles) to repent and be baptized in the name
of Jesus Christ (Acts 2:36-39; 8: 5, 14-17; 10: 24, 48; 19:1-7). Jesus performed great
miracles through the apostles, showing that he approved their ministry and their teaching
about water baptism and other doctrines (Acts 3:1-8; 5:1-10; 5:15-16; 8:32-41; 12:6-11;
13:4-12; 14:8-10; 28:3-6; Hebrews 6:2). God wants everyone to obey the apostles’
teachings (Matthew 10:40; 28:20; John 17:20; John 4:1-2; 21:17; Acts 5:19-20; 1
Corinthians 3:10-12; Galatians 1:8; Ephesians 2:20). Based on history, the baptism in
titles Father, Son and Holy Ghost comes from the Catholic Church (it removed the name
of Jesus Christ from water baptism and replaced it with the “three holy titles” in the third
century), and not from God.