Being baptised by John was a confession that cleansing was needed

Mt 3:11 See also Mt 3:6; Mk 1:4-5 pp Lk 3:3; Ac 19:1-4

John promised that the Messiah would cleanse with the baptism of the Holy Spirit

Mt 3:11 pp Mk 1:8 pp Lk 3:16 See also Isa 44:3; Eze 36:25-26

Baptism involves both water and the Holy Spirit

Jn 3:5

The disciples of Jesus Christ baptised like John’s

Jn 3:22-23; 4:1

Jesus Christ was baptised by John

Mt 3:13-17 pp Mk 1:9-11 pp Lk 3:21-22 pp Jn 1:32-33

baptism, practice of

Baptism is associated with repenting of sin, believing the gospel message and becoming a member of Christ’s body.

Baptism is ordained by Jesus Christ himself

Mt 28:19 See also Ac 9:17-18; 16:14-15

Baptism is linked with repentance

Ac 2:38 See also Heb 6:1-2 The “baptisms” referred to here may imply teaching about Jewish rituals or the baptism offered by John the Baptist.

Baptism follows the decision to believe

Ac 2:41; 18:8 See also Ac 8:12-13; 16:31-33

Baptism in the name of God or Jesus Christ

Baptism in or into the name of Jesus Christ Ac 19:5 See also Ac 2:38; 8:16; 10:48

Baptism in the name of the Trinity Mt 28:18-20

Baptism was by immersion

Ro 6:4 The word “buried” implies immersion. See also Ac 8:38

The person who baptises is of little importance

1Co 1:14 What matters is not who baptises but the Saviour in whose name it is done.

Passages apparently negating infant baptism

Ac 2:38-41 infants cannot repent and believe; Gal 3:7 Under the new covenant it is faith in Jesus Christ, not an outward sign, that makes a person a child of God.

baptism, significance of

The NT uses a variety of images to explain the meaning of baptism, such as dying and rising with Christ, sharing in his death and being cleansed from sin.

Baptism is a symbol of the death of Jesus Christ

Lk 12:50 Jesus Christ described his death as a baptism or a flood overwhelming him. See also Ps 42:7; 69:1-2; 88:7; Mk 10:38-39

Baptism is a symbol of the burial of Jesus Christ

Ro 6:3-4 Immersion in water symbolises how the old sinful life is buried with Christ.

Dying to sin and sharing Jesus Christ’s sufferings, symbolised by baptism, is a lifelong process: Ro 8:13; Col 3:5

Baptism is a symbol of being saved from the flood

1Pe 3:21 The flood/baptism symbolises both judgment (the death of sinners and the death of Jesus Christ) and salvation (those in the ark and those in Christ passing safely through judgment). See also Ge 7:6-7

Baptism is the gospel equivalent of circumcision

Col 2:11-12 The “circumcision in Christ” may refer either to his death on the cross or to baptism. See also Dt 10:16

Baptism recalls the exodus

1Co 10:1-2 In and through the exodus experience Israel was united with and obedient to Moses, as Jesus Christ’s people are to him. See also Ex 14:19-24

Baptism symbolises washing from sin

Ac 22:16 Baptism is an outward sign of cleansing from sin and from a defiled life and conscience. See also 1Co 6:11; Tit 3:5; 1Pe 3:21

Baptism is a symbol of putting on Christ

Gal 3:27 Baptism is seen as putting on Christ, as one might put on a coat or garment, and thus be “clothed with Christ”.

Baptism as a symbol of unity

Eph 4:5 See also 1Co 12:13