Baptism
Bible study on baptism.

Mk. 16:16

We must believe and be baptized to be saved.

"Baptize" is a transliteration of the Greek word baptizo, meaning to dip, to immerse. Baptism is a process of immersion in water and emergence out of water.

Immersion (i.e., baptism) was exclusively practiced until the Third Century when the doctrines of men began to substitute sprinkling and pouring for baptism.

Sprinkling and pouring are not baptism.

Jn. 3:5

We must be born of water and Spirit to be saved.

When we are baptized, we are born of water and renewed by the Holy Spirit (Tit. 3:4-7). We are born again through the living and abiding word of God (1 Pet. 1:23; cf. Eph. 5:26).

Baptism is an act of an obedient faith (Mk. 16:16) and not a meritorious work whereby salvation may be earned (Tit. 3:5).

Acts 2:38

Baptism is for the remission of sins.

"For" (Acts 2:38) means in order to receive, with a view toward. We repent and are baptized in order to receive (with a view toward) the remission of our sins. Also, see the phrase for the remission of sins in Matt. 26:28.

Our sins are not remitted prior to baptism (cf. Acts 22:16; 1 Pet. 3:21).

Acts 8:38

Philip and the eunuch went down into the water denoting that the eunuch was immersed in water (cf. Jn. 3:23 baptism requires much water).

Acts 22:16

Our sins are washed away in baptism.

1 Pet. 3:21

Baptism now saves us. In baptism, we appeal to God for a good conscience (cf. Acts 22:16).

When we are baptized in obedience to Christ (Heb. 5:9; cf. Mk. 16:16), we contact Christ's blood (cf. Rom. 6:3f; Acts 22:16; Rev. 7:14) and our consciences are cleansed from dead works (Heb. 9:14; cf. Eph. 2:10).

We do not have the ability to put off the old man and put on the new man until after being baptized (Rom. 6:3f; 12:1f; Eph. 2:10; 4:17f; Col. 2:9f; 3:1f) since we do not have a good toward God until obediently submitting to baptism.

Baptism is an anti-type of Noah (eight people) brought safely through the water in the ark (1 Pet. 3:20-21). As Noah was separated from the destruction of the world of sin through water in the ark, we are separated from the world of sin when baptized in water. When baptized, we enter into Christ (Rom. 6:3; Gal. 3:27) and are added to the church (Acts 2:47) being seated in the heavenly places in Christ (Col. 2:6) and becoming citizens of the household of God (Eph. 2:19).

Acts 5:14; 8:12

Men and women may be baptized. Infants can neither believe, confess Jesus to be the Son of God, nor repent of sins. Infants were not baptized.

Acts 19:1-7

If we have been baptized with a baptism other than the baptism of Christ, we must be baptized with the baptism of Christ to be saved (cf. Eph. 4:5).

Eph. 4:5

There is one baptism whereby we may be saved.

Acts 2:38

We must be baptized in the name of Jesus for the remission of our sins.

Matt. 28:19

We must be baptized in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Rom. 6:3-14

Baptism is a death and resurrection. Immersion in water is a burial and emergence out of water is a resurrection.

Col. 2:12-13

We are buried and raised with Christ in baptism through faith in the working of God.

1 Cor. 12:13

We are baptized into the body of Christ.

Rom. 6:3; Gal. 3:27

We are baptized into Christ, putting on Christ.

We enter into Christ through baptism (Rom. 6:3; 1 Cor. 12:13; Gal. 3:27). People who are in Christ have turned to the Lord (2 Cor. 3:14-16). The veil is removed in Christ (2 Cor. 3:14), when they turn to the Lord (2 Cor. 3:16).

Col. 2:11-12

In baptism, we are circumcised with the circumcision of Christ.

There is no other way to enter Christ except through baptism (Rom. 6:3; Gal. 3:27).

Also, see SALVATION.