Baptism

As an infant, I was baptized with water at the baptismal font in our church. I remember nothing of this, but my parents did it in hopes of bringing some spiritual cleansing to me. Yet, in reality, I never received God’s gift of holy spirit until years later, when I carried out the Father’s simple instructions in the Book of Romans.

Romans 10:9,10:
That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

At that point, when I believed, I was washed and made clean from all my sins by the accomplished works of my lord and savior, Jesus Christ. And at that point, the Father (Who is the Holy Spirit) also gave me His gift of holy spirit. This is a token of the full “redemption” that I will have someday when Christ returns and I am given a spiritual body, like unto his glorious body.

But what can we learn about this baptism in water? What does the Bible say about it? Let’s go to God’s Word and see for ourselves.

Baptism—Fully Immersed with God’s Spirit

The Greek word translated “baptism” involves a full immersion. As born-again Christians, baptism is part of the unity that we share with one another.

Ephesians 4:4-6:
There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;
One Lord, one faith, one baptism,
One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.

This unity is built upon our:

• Being a part of the one body of Christ and
• Having one spirit
• Having one hope of our calling
• Having one Lord, Jesus Christ
• Having one faith, of Jesus Christ
• Having one baptism, in what Jesus Christ accomplished
• Having one God, Who is our Father (over, through, and within us all)

All of these truths are a part of the unity we have. So, what is this “one baptism” in what Jesus Christ accomplished for us that makes us a part of the body of Christ?

I Corinthians 12:13:
For by one Spirit are we all baptized [immersed] into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink [irrigated] into one Spirit.

Notice that it is by God’s gift of holy spirit that we are both “baptized” and “made to drink.” These two verbs are figurative ways of saying the same thing. When we are born again, we are immersed in holy spirit as if we were immersed in water. The phrase “made to drink” is translated to “water” or irrigate like a farmer in I Corinthians 3:6-8. We are “watered” by one spirit—no matter our religious background or civil status. That is what sets us apart as Christians. We fully receive all that Christ has done for us.

To better understand this word “baptism” and what the word “baptize” means, we’ll see how these two words are used in the Gospels, in the early church (as recorded in the Book of Acts), and in epistles written by early church leaders.

Baptism and Baptizing in the Gospels

The four gospels record the life of Jesus Christ from different points of view. See “Jesus in the Gospel of John, Part 1” and “We Can Trust God, Part 2” for further study on these points of view.

Jesus’ cousin John was sent to prepare the way for the Christ and to preach a baptism of repentance. This repentance was a heart issue, a change of thinking, and was signified by people’s outward washing in the Jordan River.

Matthew 3:1-17 shows John baptizing with the waters of the Jordan River and Jesus Christ being baptized by him there. John explains what he was baptizing with, and why he was baptizing. He also foretold what Jesus Christ would baptize with and why.

Matthew 3:11,12:
I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost [the gift of holy spirit], and with fire.
Whose fan [pitchfork] is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his [threshing] floor, and gather his wheat into the garner [storage area]; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.

John came to baptize with water, having an end goal of repentance. To repent literally means to have a change of thinking. John came to prepare the way for God’s Messiah, Jesus Christ. He was to help people have a change of heart so that they could later receive the gift of holy spirit that Jesus Christ came to make available. Luke 3:3 says that John came “preaching the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.” True repentance involves accepting Jesus Christ as lord and brings cleansing from sin.

Jesus Christ came with the holy spirit, having an end goal of salvation. That spirit is like fire. The humble who would receive this gift would be like wheat that is gathered up and stored. But those who would reject this gift, were like chaff that is discarded and burned up. Jesus Christ left nothing undone, he “throughly” (completely) purged the threshing floor.

Mark 1:2-11 and Luke 3:1-22 give similar records as Matthew’s gospel about John and Jesus regarding baptism. All three of these gospels also record an important truth about Jesus and baptism (Matthew 20:20-23; Mark 10:35-40; Luke 12:50).

Matthew 20:22:
But Jesus answered and said, Ye know not what ye ask. Are ye able to drink of the cup that I shall drink of, and to be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? They say unto him, We are able.

Mark 10:38:
But Jesus said unto them, Ye know not what ye ask: can ye drink of the cup that I drink of? and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?

Luke 12:50:
But I have a baptism to be baptized with; and how am I straitened [constrained, mentally focused] till it be accomplished!

Jesus Christ had another baptism different than the one he received from John in the Jordan River. It was being baptized into death, bearing the sins of mankind. Because of this full immersion in the grave, Jesus Christ later made true baptism with the gift of holy spirit available to his apostles and to all who would believe on him. This was the focus of Jesus’ mind, life, and ministry.

The gospel of John shows how some of John the Baptist’s disciples began to follow Jesus Christ after he had been baptized by his cousin John (John 1:29-51). Jesus Christ himself did not baptize with water, but some people thought that he did.

John 3:22; 4:1,2:
After these things came Jesus and his disciples into the land of Judaea; and there he tarried with them, and [his disciples] baptized.
When therefore the Lord knew how the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John,
(Though Jesus himself baptized not, but his disciples).

Baptism and Baptizing in the Book of Acts: The Feast of Pentecost in Jerusalem

We’ve seen from the gospels that John the Baptist and Jesus the Christ each had a baptism to offer. After being raised from the dead, Jesus Christ told his disciples about both of them.

Acts 1:4,5,8:
And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me.
For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with [in] the Holy Ghost [the gift of holy spirit] not many days hence.
But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost [the gift of holy spirit] is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

Jesus said that John had baptized with water, but they would be baptized “in” [this word means fully within] the gift of holy spirit. Their immersion would not be physical but spiritual.

Ten days later, the twelve were baptized with spirit and showed it forth by speaking in tongues. As John had prophesied, this spirit would be like fire. In fact, God gave the twelve a vision of fire when they received the spirit.

Acts 2:3,4:
And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.
And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost [the gift of holy spirit], and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

Peter and the other eleven apostles did not keep this good news to themselves. Peter told the crowds assembled in the Temple on Pentecost how they too could be immersed in spirit and then show it forth with God’s power. Peter began by showing them how to be born again.

Acts 2:32,33,36:
This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses.
Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost [the gift of holy spirit], he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear.
Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.

Just as Romans 10:9,10 declares, Peter told them to confess with their mouth that Jesus is the exalted lord whom God raised from the dead. This was the “promise of the Father” that Jesus had spoken of before his ascension. And now the people on Pentecost had seen for themselves and heard for themselves God’s mighty power as the twelve spoke in tongues.

Then Peter invited all present to repent (change their thinking to get past their sins and claim God’s promise in Christ). They would be “baptized” in the name of Jesus Christ. This would give them total remission of all sins and eternal life. Then they too could show forth God’s power and speak in tongues.

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 [lambanō, seize from the spiritual into the physical world] the gift of the Holy Ghost [holy spirit].

Notice that there is not mention of water here as with John’s baptism. Jesus Christ brought a new baptism that was spiritual, not physical. This is what he had told his disciples before ascending.

Matthew 28:18-20:
And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.
Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.
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.

Here Jesus told them that he had full authority given to him from the Father. With that came the authority of a new, spiritual baptism. But why didn’t Peter use the trinitarian formula recorded here in Matthew on the day of Pentecost? Why did he tell the people to be baptized “in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins”? As we will see, no one anywhere in the Bible ever used this trinitarian baptism.

It is interesting to note that the early Christian writers who quoted Matthew 28:19 always quoted it as “baptizing them in my name.” Peter told the people in the Temple on Pentecost that they were to be baptized “in the name of Jesus Christ.” This had no water like John’s baptism. The people responded in great numbers.

Acts 2:41:
Then they that gladly received his word were baptized [in the name of Jesus Christ]: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.

Baptism and Baptizing in the Book of Acts: Samaria

Later, a minister named Philip went to Samaria. While there, he taught the people how to be born again with God’s gift of holy spirit. Once again, the people made Jesus lord and believed that God raised him from the dead.

Acts 8:12:
But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.

There is no mention of water, as with John’s baptism. What were they baptized, immersed within?

Acts 8:16:
(For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.)

These Samaritans were “baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus,” just as Jesus had told his disciples to do. But what had not “fallen upon” them yet? The context explains this.

Acts 8:14-16:
Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John:
Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive [lambanō, seize from the spiritual into the physical world] the Holy Ghost [the gift of holy spirit]:
(For as yet he [it] was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.)

Peter and John came down to help Philip. Peter and John had both received, seized from the spiritual into the physical world, when they were born again and spoke in tongues on the day of Pentecost. Now they helped the Samaritans do the same. This showing forth God’s gift in manifestation was only available because the Samaritans were born again, baptized in the name of Jesus Christ.

Philip continued to preach the new birth and came upon a eunuch from Ethiopia. This man had been reading the Old Testament scriptures about the Messiah and would have been familiar with water involved in ritual cleansing. He may have even heard about John’s baptism. This thinking caused him to ask Philip if he could be immersed in water. Philip had a clear response.

Acts 8:36-38:
And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?
And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.
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.

Philip knew that John’s baptism had ended, as Jesus Christ had proclaimed before he ascended. Yet the eunuch wanted water, and Philip was happy to comply. The only condition was that the eunuch should get born again by believing that Jesus Christ was his risen lord, the Son of God. The same is true today. Many people want to have water as part of a ceremony when they make Jesus their lord. There is nothing wrong with water, but it is not a requirement for salvation.

Baptism and Baptizing in the Book of Acts: Ananias and Saul

Saul (later known as Paul) also was baptized after Ananias ministered to him.

Acts 9:17,18:
And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled [to overflowing] with the Holy Ghost [the gift of holy spirit].
And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized.

Paul later told others what Ananias said to him.

Acts 22:16:
And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.

There is again no mention of water. Ananias prayed that Saul would receive the holy spirit. This baptism was spiritual, the one promised by the Father and brought to pass by His Son, Jesus Christ. The key was that Saul should call on “the name of the Lord” to have his sins washed away. Perhaps Ananias did include John’s baptism with water, but it is not mentioned.

Baptism and Baptizing in the Book of Acts: Cornelius and His Household

 When Peter taught Cornelius and his household how to be born again, he wanted to baptize them with John’s baptism. Peter was excited that these Gentiles had been born again. Peter had taught them to make Jesus their lord and believe that God raised Jesus from the dead.

Acts 10:36,40:
The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all: )
Him God raised up the third day, and shewed him openly.

Something amazing happened after Cornelius and those with him were saved. They manifested the gift of holy spirit that they just received. They spoke in tongues. This thrilled Peter and he wanted to baptize these Gentiles with water.

Acts 10:44-47:
While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word.
And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost [holy spirit].
For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter,
Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received [lambanō, seize from the spiritual into the physical world] the Holy Ghost [the gift of holy spirit] as well as we?

But Peter did not use water. Verse 48 says he simply “commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord.” Once again, it was spiritual baptism in the name of Jesus Christ. Later, Peter explained this to other church leaders at Jerusalem.

Acts 11:16:
Then remembered I the word of the Lord, how that he said, John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost [the gift of holy spirit].

Peter got over his initial excitement and remembered what Jesus Christ had told him in Acts 1. John’s baptism was with physical water. Jesus Christ’s was with spirit.

Baptism and Baptizing in the Book of Acts: Philippi and Corinth

People were baptized in Philippi and Corinth. Paul taught them how to get born again by making Jesus Christ lord and believing that God raised him from the dead.

Acts 16:14,15:
And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which worshipped God, heard us: whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul.
And when she was baptized, and her household….

Acts 16:31-33:
And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou [a prison keeper] shalt be saved, and thy house.
And they spake unto him the word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house.
And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway.

In Philippi, Lydia and her household believed on Jesus Christ and were baptized. The same was true for a prison keeper there who had seen a great miracle in the life of Paul and Silas. Water is not mentioned here. Believing on Jesus Christ is still the requirement.

In Corinth, a synagogue ruler named Crispus believed on Jesus Christ and was saved. This caused many others to be baptized.

Acts 18:8:
And Crispus, the chief ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord with all his house; and many of the Corinthians hearing believed, and were baptized.

Paul explains this in a later letter to the believers at Corinth.

I Corinthians 1:14-17:
I thank God that I baptized none of you, but Crispus and Gaius;
Lest any should say that I had baptized in mine own name.
And I baptized also the household of Stephanas: besides, I know not whether I baptized any other.
For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect.

It doesn’t say that Paul used water here. But he did personally help Crispus, Gaius, and the household of Stephanas get born again. They heard, believed, and were baptized. Paul understood that baptism in the name of Jesus Christ was spiritual, not physical. That is why he preached the gospel—so that others might believe and be saved.

Baptism and Baptizing in the Book of Acts: Ephesus

Acts 18:24,25:
And a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man, and mighty in the scriptures, came to Ephesus.
This man was instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in the spirit, he spake and taught diligently the things of the Lord, knowing only the baptism of John.

Apollos only knew about John’s baptism. He did not fully understand the new birth and how to manifest the gift of holy spirit. While there, Aquila and Priscilla taught him more. Apollos then moved to Corinth. When Paul went to Ephesus, he met some of the people Apollos had instructed.

Acts 19:1-3:
And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples,
He said unto them, Have ye received [lambanō, seize from the spiritual into the physical world]  the Holy Ghost [the gift of holy spirit] since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost.
And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John’s baptism.

Paul wanted to know if Apollos had taught them about the new birth and how to show forth God’s power. They had not learned this. So Paul taught them.

Acts 19:4-6:
Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.
When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.

These people in Ephesus needed to know more than John’s baptism. They needed to know that Jesus Christ was lord and that God raised him from the dead. Once again, they are baptized (not with water or by using a trinitarian formula) in the name of Jesus, their lord. Like others in the Book of Acts, they manifested the gift of holy spirit by speaking in tongues. In this case, they also prophesied.

Baptism and Baptizing in the Epistles

 Paul and Peter both wrote epistles to the early church. They spoke of baptism into Jesus Christ.

Romans 6:3,4:
Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?
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.

When we make Jesus Christ lord, we are baptized into his death. Our old man died with Christ, and we are to put on a “new man.” We are to walk in newness of life.

Galatians 3:26,27:
For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.
For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.

It is by faith in Jesus Christ, not by physical water, that we are baptized into Christ and become children of God. Then we can put on that new nature that we have within.

Colossians 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.

Again, our baptism is spiritual. It is by believing that God raised Jesus Christ from the dead that we receive the gift of holy spirit.

Perhaps the clearest expression of a physical baptism and a spiritual baptism is described by Peter.

I Peter 3:20-22:
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.
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:
Who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him.

Peter wrote that baptism was “not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God.” What is that answer of a good conscience? It is confessing with the mouth Jesus as lord and believing that God raised him from the dead. That is spiritual, for it brings salvation (Romans 10:9,10). Notice that Peter mentions the resurrection of Jesus Christ and that he is lord at God’s right hand. Baptism is not simply washing away outward filth. It is an immersion and cleansing spiritually within. It brings total remission from sins, for Jesus Christ is a complete savior.