Here we will show you some verses about baptism. Baptism is one of the main hallmarks of a Christian. Jesus Christ gave his disciples (ie, Christians) two ordinances: baptism and the Lord’s Supper (or communion). These two signs serve as the distinguishing marks instituted by Christ of Christian discipleship (Matthew 26: 26-29, 28: 18-20; Luke 22:14-20).
But who should be baptized? Some say only adult Christians, others argue that adult Christians and their young children should be baptized. However, the latter are not correct, so in addition to the verses on baptism, we will tell you the characteristics of true baptism.
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Verses about baptism
Here is a selection of some verses that talk about baptism:
1. Matthew 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.
2. Mark 1: 4
John appeared, baptizing in the desert and proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.
3. Mark 16:16
Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.
4. 1 Corinthians 12:13
For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, Jews or Greeks, slaves or free, and we were all given one Spirit to drink.
5. Galatians 3:27
For all who were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
6. Colossians 2:12
Having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the mighty work of God, who raised him from the dead.
7. 1 Peter 3:21
Baptism, which corresponds to this, saves you now, 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.
8. Matthew 3:11
I baptize you in water for repentance, but he who comes after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to wear. He will baptize you in the Holy Spirit and fire.
9. Mark 1: 8
I have baptized you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.
10. Mark 1: 9-10
In those days Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. And when he came out of the water, immediately he saw the heavens open up and the Spirit descend on him like a dove.
Four essential elements of baptism
We have known some of the most representative verses about baptism, but it is also important to know what we are talking about in order to have a better understanding. For this reason, the explanation of the fundamental characteristics of true baptism is necessary.
These items are essential because removal of any one of them will almost certainly indicate a redefinition of baptism, which would be a loss of biblical baptism. In other words, if one or more elements are missing from your “baptism” experience, it is very likely that whatever you experienced was not what God actually ordained.
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1. True baptism occurs after a person has been converted
The Biblical Commandment to be Baptized It is only for those who profess faith in Jesus Christ. In both Jesus’ commission and Peter’s exhortation, only “disciples” or those who “repent and believe” are to be baptized.
Such a person may turn out to be a false confessor later in life, but great efforts must be made to ensure that baptism is offered only to those who at least appear to be believing the gospel and turning away from sin.
My brethren and others may argue that the baptism mandate is also for the children of believers, since children are mentioned in Acts 2:39.
However, as a reader you will notice that it is the promise of salvation through Christ and not the command to be baptized that is extended to your children and also to all those who are far away (Acts 2:39). If someone was “baptized” before converting, then that “baptism” was not true. Only a post-conversion baptism can be true.
2. True baptism is performed in the name of Jesus Christ, who is the pinnacle of God’s revelation and the focal point of the gospel.
The biblical observance of baptism necessarily associates the one being baptized with Jesus Christ. This is not merely a verbal statement against the views of some in the Church of Christ, but a much fuller identification with the God of the Bible and the person through whom God offers salvation to sinners like us.
In Jesus’ commission, He says that new disciples must be baptized.”in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 28:19). And Peter exhorts his listeners to be baptized.”In the name of Jesus Christ” (Acts 2:38). The teaching of Scripture in general is that baptism is inextricably connected with the Father, the Son, and the Spirit, and thus with the gospel of salvation through the work of Jesus Christ.
If someone was “baptized” in association with any non-Christian religion, any false gospel, message, or group that denies an essential doctrine of historic Christianity, then that “baptism” is not valid. Only a baptism associated with the biblical gospel, the biblical God and Savior, can be true.
3. True baptism is experienced as a conscious act (both on the part of the baptized and on the part of those who observe) of publicly confessing Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior
The Biblical command to be baptized is necessarily connected with a public and conscious profession of faith, and a public and conscious affirmation of that profession. Those being baptized are aware, and are publicly making their belief in Christ known to the watching world.
And those who are observing and celebrating the baptism are consciously and publicly affirming that the one being baptized is (as far as they know) one of them. This element of true baptism is supported by the reality that baptism cannot be carried out in secret.
No one can (biblically) baptize himself. Furthermore, both the baptized and the baptizer (as well as other observant Christians) must be conscious participants. Historically, the normal context for true baptism is the local church. Only in recent years has this normative practice been neglected.
The easiest way to demonstrate this is from the fact that most evangelical churches still today have some new members joining through the act of baptism. In many churches, this is a practice left over from a bygone time, without much (if any) teaching or intention. New converts joining a church membership upon being baptized represented the common practice of most evangelical churches.
If someone was “baptized” with the hope that they would eventually become a Christian, or if someone was “baptized” when they did not understand the basic meaning of baptism (as a public profession of Christian faith and discipleship), then such a “baptism” probably not be true. Only a conscientious Christian can be baptized as a public affirmation of at least one other conscientious Christian.
4. True baptism is done through the use of water
The word βαπτιζω or baptidzō (translated as “I baptize”), which serves as the root of all other New Testament words related to the act of baptism, carries with it the concept of purification, immersion and washing. Furthermore, the descriptions we have of baptisms in the Bible (particularly the baptisms of Jesus and the Ethiopian official) seem to indicate total immersion.
In addition to these initial points, the Biblical image of being associated in or by baptism with the death and burial of Christ is only depicted by submerging someone under water and then pulling them up again (Romans 6:1-4). Images cannot be rendered simply by pouring water over a person or by submerging them only partially in some water.
Baptism must be carried out by fully immersing the baptized. If someone was “baptized” without water, then that “baptism” is probably not true. If someone was baptized by some other method than full immersion, then it’s worth asking more questions.
The question of what constitutes a true baptism is probably not a big concern among most parishioners, but it should be. Baptism is one of the clearest commands Jesus ever gave his disciples, and every Christian should eagerly desire to obey his Savior and King.
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final thoughts
Well, there we have left you verses about baptism and the explanation of what is true baptism according to God’s ordinances. We hope that this article is useful to you and that you are able to evaluate your own experience. We recommend that you ask your pastor(s) or elder(s) specific questions about your personal experience.
The local church was designed by Christ to be the community in which we work. We also hope that many will experience true baptism, not simply to check a ceremonial box, but as a conscious act of obedience to Christ.