Baptism
Baptism and the breaking of bread are the two basic ordinances that we as followers of the Lord Jesus Christ have been given. Therefore, the subject of baptism is extremely important. There are many facets to it. Over the years it has caused much controversy in some professing Christian circles. My desire certainly is not to cause more controversy but rather to get an understanding of what the Bible says about baptism. What is it? What does it mean? What does it do for the follower of Christ? Another question we hope to address is: What is the difference between “baptism unto repentance” and the water baptism given by instruction of the Lord Jesus at the Great Commission and practiced by the disciples? Additionally, is the baptism of the Holy Spirit the same thing as water baptism? As we seek to dive into these questions, we want the Scriptures to be our resource, and we want to rely upon the Holy Spirit as our guide.
What is baptism? What does it mean?
The word baptism means to submerge, to immerse, or to be dipped. It is from the Greek word baptizo, which was often used to describe the practice of immersing or dipping a piece of fabric into dye to change the color of the fabric. It would be said the fabric had been baptized in that color. But the word was also used for people; for example, Israel was baptized unto Moses when the nation followed him through the Red Sea, according to 1 Corinthians 10:2. This simply emphasizes the solidarity of the Israelites with their God-ordained leader.
Baptism Unto Repentance
The baptism unto repentance was preached by John the Baptist. His baptism pointed people to the Messiah and prepared them for His arrival. We read the following in Matthew 3:
In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea, and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!” For this is he who was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah, saying: “The voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord; Make His paths straight.'” Now John himself was clothed in camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist; and his food was locusts and wild honey. Then Jerusalem, all Judea, and all the region around the Jordan went out to him and were baptized by him in the Jordan, confessing their sins. But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them, “Brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Therefore, bear fruits worthy of repentance, and do not think to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I say to you that God is able to raise up children to Abraham from these stones. And even now the ax is laid to the root of the trees. Therefore, every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fan is in His hand, and He will thoroughly clean out His threshing floor, and gather His wheat into the barn; but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.” Matthew 3:1-12
Paul later affirmed that John’s baptism was for repentance, saying in Acts 19:4, “John indeed baptized with a baptism of repentance, saying to the people that they should believe on Him who would come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.” Clearly, then, John’s baptism had to do specifically with repentance. It was a symbolic representation of changing one’s mind and going in a new direction. As Matthew 3:6 says, when people came “confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River.” In other words, being baptized by John meant that they recognized their sins and demonstrated a desire to change in anticipation of the Messiah’s arrival.
The Commission To Baptize
After His death, burial, and resurrection, the Lord Jesus appeared to His disciples and commissioned them to preach and baptize. He said,
“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:19-20
In Mark’s account He adds,
“Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.” Mark 16:16
It is clear that those who believe are to be baptized, but the one who does not believe will be condemned. Salvation depends on belief rather than on baptism.
The following verses help shed further light on this as well:
For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. Galatians 3:26-27
For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. John 3:16-18
Therefore, let it be known to you, brethren, that through this Man is preached to you the forgiveness of sins; and by Him everyone who believes is justified from all things from which you could not be justified by the law of Moses. Acts 13:38-39
We will see more clearly when we get to Romans 6:1-17 that the believer’s baptism is a mark of identification with the death, burial, and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. It is representative of a cleansing that is already complete.
Baptism in the Book of Acts
There are about ten passages in the book of Acts that deal with baptism (Acts 2:37-41; 8:5-13; 8:36-38; 9:17-19; 10:47-48; 16:13-15; 16:27-34; 18:5-8; 19:1-5; 22:14-17). These are the occasions in the Book of Acts where we see the commission to baptize being carried out. We need to remember that Acts is a transitional book, meaning that things are developing. In Acts, the Church starts from its conception, passes through its infant stage, and reaches a more developed stage by the time we come to the end of the book. There is a transition from Judaism to Christianity.
In chapter 1 of Acts we find the disciples fulfilling the instructions of the risen Lord to “wait for the Promise of the Father, ‘which,’ He said, ‘you have heard from Me; for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now’” (Acts 1:4-5). This promise was fulfilled on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2:1-4), and the baptism of the Holy Spirit joins every believer to the body of Christ.
“For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free—and have all been made to drink into one Spirit.” 1 Corinthians 12:13
Things began for the Church on the Day of Pentecost when the Holy Spirit descended upon 120 disciples. Peter stood up and preached a Christ-centered message, speaking of the incarnation of Christ, His crucifixion, His resurrection, His ascension, His glorification, and His exaltation. By the end of such a Spirit-filled, Christ-exalting message, his hearers “were cut to the heart” and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles,
“‘Men and brethren what must we do?’ Peter replied, ‘Repent and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.’” Acts 2:38
This is an important passage concerning baptism. Peter spoke of repentance, baptism, the remission of sins, and the gift of the Holy Spirit. What is the relationship among these truths?
We must be careful whenever we seek to interpret Scripture, because no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation (2 Peter 1:20), meaning that we must compare Scripture with Scripture to properly understand the meaning of a passage.
First, we know from Ephesians 2:8-9 that salvation is by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone.
“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9
Despite this truth, many interpret Peter’s words in Acts 2:38 to mean that baptism is required for salvation. But if we properly unpack that verse, we will learn that this teaching is not consistent with the text or with other Bible passages.
The difficulty lies with this little word “for” in Acts 2:38: “for the remission of sins.” In our English translations, it may appear that the word “for” means “in order to get” something. However, it is more accurate to understand that word to mean “because of” or “as a result of” or “in view of.” This word “for” is the Greek word “eis.” It is used approximately 1,774 times in the New Testament and is translated in many different ways. We even use the word in various contexts in English. For example, you might tell me to take Tylenol for my headache. You are certainly not saying I should take a Tylenol in order to get a headache; you’re saying I should take a Tylenol because of my headache or in view of my headache.
Another very important point that is extremely helpful in understanding Acts 2:38 is the grammatical structure of the verse. The verbs and the pronouns used in that verse have some interesting exchanges between the second person and third person. In Greek, the command to repent is in the second person plural, while the verb “be baptized” is in the third person singular. Then the pronoun “your sins” is also in the second person plural form. This links the forgiveness of sins back to repentance, not to being baptized. We could read this verse, “You (plural) should repent for the forgiveness of your (plural) sins, and let each of you (singular) be baptized (singular).”
Going back to Acts 2:41, we see the result is that “those who received his word were baptized.” There was the reality of believing, and then water baptism followed. This is seen to be the pattern throughout the Book of Acts. Here are several examples.
But when they believed Philip as he preached the things concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, both men and women were baptized. Then Simon himself also believed; and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and was amazed, seeing the miracles and signs which were done. Acts 8:12-13
In Acts 8, we see an example that water baptism is meant to be by immersion.
Now as they went down the road, they came to some water. And the eunuch said, “See, here is water. What hinders me from being baptized?” Then Philip said, “If you believe with all your heart, you may.” And he answered and said, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.” So, he commanded the chariot to stand still. And both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water, and he baptized him. Acts 8:36-38
In Acts 9, Paul had already believed and then was baptized:
And Ananias went his way and entered the house; and laying his hands on him he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you came, has sent me that you may receive your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” Immediately there fell from his eyes something like scales, and he received his sight at once; and he arose and was baptized. So, when he had received food, he was strengthened. Then Saul spent some days with the disciples at Damascus. Acts 9:17-19
Note again in Acts 10 that the people believed and then were baptized:
“To Him all the prophets witness that, through His name, whoever believes in Him will receive remission of sins.” While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who heard the word… “Can anyone forbid water, that these should not be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?” And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then they asked him to stay a few days. Acts 10:43-44, 47-48
In Acts 16, Lydia’s heart was open to receive the Word that was preached, and then she was baptized:
And on the Sabbath day we went out of the city to the riverside, where prayer was customarily made; and we sat down and spoke to the women who met there. Now a certain woman named Lydia heard us. She was a seller of purple from the city of Thyatira, who worshiped God. The Lord opened her heart to heed the things spoken by Paul. And when she and her household were baptized, she begged us, saying, “If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come to my house and stay.” So she persuaded us. Acts 16:13-15
The passage in Acts 16 shows that the jailer and his household believed and were then baptized:
So, they said, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.” Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house. And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their stripes. And immediately he and all his family were baptized. Acts 16:31-32
Also Crispus and his household in Acts 18
When Silas and Timothy had come from Macedonia, Paul was compelled by the Spirit, and testified to the Jews that Jesus is the Christ. But when they opposed him and blasphemed, he shook his garments and said to them, “Your blood be upon your own heads; I am clean. From now on I will go to the Gentiles.” And he departed from there and entered the house of a certain man named Justus, one who worshiped God, whose house was next door to the synagogue. Then Crispus, the ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord with all his household. And many of the Corinthians, hearing, believed and were baptized. Acts 18:5-8
In Acts 19, notice the emphasis on believing in verses 2 and 4 of the passage:
And it happened, while Apollos was at Corinth, that Paul, having passed through the upper regions, came to Ephesus. And finding some disciples he said to them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” So, they said to him, “We have not so much as heard whether there is a Holy Spirit.” And he said to them, “Into what then were you baptized?” So, they said, “Into John’s baptism.” Then Paul said, “John indeed baptized with a baptism of repentance, saying to the people that they should believe on Him who would come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.” When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Acts 19:1-5
There is a unique expression about baptism in Acts 22, which is a review of Paul’s conversion when he believed and later was baptized. The passage has some similarities to Acts 2:38 because we again see a connection made between the remission (forgiveness) of sins and baptism. Paul described the words that faithful Ananias spoke to him:
“Then he said, ‘The God of our fathers has chosen you that you should know His will, and see the Just One, and hear the voice of His mouth. For you will be His witness to all men of what you have seen and heard. And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord.’” Acts 22:14-17
What is meant by linking baptism with the phrase “wash away your sins”? It might be helpful to hear the words of another at this point:
Notice that this word is spoken only to Jews directly guilty of crucifying Jesus, and to Paul, the Persecutor of Christ and His church. Gentiles are not so directed, as may be seen in Acts 10. The Jews needed to repent of their acts of crucifying Jesus, and publicly manifest it by being baptized in the name of the One they rejected. Thus, their public sin would be publicly washed away and remitted by baptism. The same applied to Paul’s persecution of Jesus and His disciples. (Quoted from R.K. Campbell’s booklet “Baptism – What Is It?” pg. 6. Believers Bookshelf, 1989.)
Thus we see that Paul was not being told to be baptized to have his sins forgiven in the sight of God. It was for his public testimony as a former persecutor. The pattern of Scripture is clear: Forgiveness of sins comes only by repentance and faith in the finished work of the Lord Jesus Christ.
What About Baptizing Infants?
The question is sometimes raised about baptizing infants. Brother R.K. Campbell also addresses this issue as follows:
Nowhere in the Bible is there any definite record of anyone but professed believers in Christ being baptized, and never is there a mention of infants being baptized. Some assume that infants and little children are included in the households baptized in Acts 16:15 and 33, but this is not even supported by the context of the passages. Concerning Lydia’s household, they are spoken of as “brethren” in verse 40; and as to the jailer’s household, the Word of the Lord was spoken to them all, and “he rejoiced having believed in God with all his household” (v. 34). Such things could not be said of infants or little children. “Let the little children come to me, and do not forbid them, for of such is the kingdom of God” (Mk. 10:14), is often quoted regarding the baptism of infants, but it has no connection with baptism. There is not a word in the whole context of the passage about baptizing them, and to bring baptism in here is to violate this Scripture, reading into it what is not there. Jesus took these little children up into His arms, put His hands on them, and blessed them; but He did not baptize them. John 4:2 distinctly says that “Jesus Himself did not baptize, but His disciples did.” Therefore, He did not baptize these children, nor is it written that He ever instructed others to do so. “Of such is the kingdom of God,” He said. (R.K. Campbell, “Baptism – What Is It?” pg.8-9)
Baptism In The Epistles
We have seen John’s baptism unto repentance; the commission of baptism by the Lord; and how it commenced in the book of Acts. Now let’s look at baptism in the epistles, specifically four passages in Paul’s and Peter’s letters.
For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. Galatians 3:26-27
We referred to these verses earlier, but let’s look a little closer. Paul assumes here that those who have been baptized and those who have saving faith are the same group. Faith and baptism go together in our Christian experience.
In Him you were also circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the sins of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead. Colossians 2:11-12
We were immersed into the death of Christ and raised up!
Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? Therefore, we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. Romans 6:3-4
These verses give us the doctrinal meaning and purpose of baptism. We have been buried with Him by baptism into death; and, as we have seen, we are raised with Him in resurrection so that we might walk in the newness of life.
Water baptism is a public identification with Christ and His death; it is a burial with Him. Going down into the water and being immersed is entering into the “likeness of His death.” It reminds us that we have died with Christ (Romans 6:8). The coming up out of the water is a picture of our being in the good of His resurrection, to walk in the newness of life. It does not give us new life, but it pictures that new life and gives witness to all those who look on that I have died with Christ.
There is also an antitype which now saves us—baptism (not the removal of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God), through the resurrection of Jesus Christ. 1 Peter 3:21
This is yet another verse which demonstrates to us that baptism does not put away the filth of the flesh, but is the answer of a good conscience toward God, obtained by the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Some have taken Titus 3:4-5 as another reference to water baptism but look carefully at the verses there:
But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit. Titus 3:4-5
First, notice that this verse says salvation is not based on works of righteousness which we have done, and that would include being baptized. Second, the “washing of regeneration” in this verse is really speaking of what happens at new birth because of the work of Christ.
What Does It Mean To Be Born Of Water And The Spirit?
There was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. This man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, “Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him.” Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” Nicodemus said to Him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?” Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’” John 3:1-7
As we read this passage, there are several things to consider. First, as we have said earlier, “no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation” (2 Peter 1:20). Thus we must consider this passage in the context of the rest of Scripture.
Second, there is absolutely no mention of baptism in our Lord’s conversation with Nicodemus. Baptism is not the subject, but new birth is. Water baptism is mentioned later in the chapter, but not until verses 22-30, where it is a totally different setting in Judea instead of the city of Jerusalem.
A third point to consider is that when the Lord Jesus was speaking to Nicodemus, He had not yet given the ordinance of water baptism. That only took place just before His ascension back to heaven, as we have already noticed.
So, if being born of water and of the Spirit does not refer to water baptism, what does it refer to? This is where our first principle applies: Since “no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation,” we must compare Scripture with Scripture.
Throughout the Bible, water is often used figuratively of spiritual cleansing or regeneration, brought forth by the Holy Spirit through the Word of God (for example, see Psalm 51:2, 7; Ezekiel 36:35; John 13:10; 15:3; 1 Corinthians 6:11; Hebrews 10:22; Ephesians 5:26; Titus 3:5). The reference to water here in John 3 is not literal, physical water, but rather the living water of the Word of God.
Concerning being born again, in John 1 we read,
But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. John 1:12-13
We could add 1 John 5:1 to this:
Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves Him who begot also loves him who is begotten of Him. 1 John 5:1
New birth, then, comes by receiving and believing on the Lord Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior.
“Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” Romans 10:17
Paul told those at Corinth that they were begotten through the gospel (1 Corinthians 4:15); and the word “begotten” means to be born again, or more precisely, to be born from above, born of God.
James 1:18 reminds us that “of His own will He brought us forth by the word of truth.” This expression “brought forth” implies giving birth. Peter adds,
Having been born again, not of corruptible seed but of incorruptible through the word of God.” 1 Peter 1:23-25
New life, the new birth, comes through and by the Word of God. Ephesians 5:26 emphasizes the cleansing aspect of the Word of God, which is active even now.
What About Good Works?
We have seen that Titus 3:5 teaches us that the new birth or regeneration is “not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit.” Ephesians would echo this:
“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9
Salvation is by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone; but the following verse continues:
“we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 2:10
Going back to Titus, we read there that Paul speaks much about the works that are to be seen in our Christian walk. We are to show ourselves to be a pattern of good works (Titus 2:7); we are to be ready for every good work (3:1); and we are to maintain good works (3:8, 14).
We are to let His light shine through us before men by the good works we do (Matthew 5:16). This is not in order to be born again but because we are born again, born of God.
What Is The Baptism Of Fire?
We saw this phrase back in Matthew 3 where John the Baptist declared,
I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. Matthew 3:11
We have already discussed the baptism of the Holy Spirit, which took place on the day of Pentecost and continues in its effects today, according to 1 Corinthians 12:13, when anyone is added to the body of Christ.
But the baptism of fire is something different. Some have taught that it is the same as the baptism of the Holy Spirit because of what Acts 2 says:
And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. Acts 2:2-3
But is baptism of fire meant there? To consider that question, we should notice that all four gospels, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, speak of the baptism of the Holy Spirit— but only Matthew and Luke speak of the baptism of fire. Why is that? It is because the immediate context of that passage in Matthew and Luke is one of judgment (Matthew 3:7-12; Luke 3:7-17). The context of Mark and John, however, is not judgment (Mark 1:1-8; John 1:29-34).
Fire in Scripture often speaks to us of judgment, “For our God is a consuming fire” (Hebrews 12:29). We know that the Lord Jesus is coming in flaming fire to judge those who do not know God (2 Thessalonians 1:3-10; John 5:21-23; Revelation 20:11-15).
These verses all speak of the wrath that will come upon those who have rejected God and have not responded to His love. They speak of a day that is yet to arrive, not of this present day of grace in which the Holy Spirit has baptized every blood-bought child of God into the body of Christ.
Conclusion
Baptism is not necessary for salvation. Baptism is the symbol of what has already occurred in the heart and life of one who has trusted Christ as Savior. Baptism is an important step of obedience that every Christian should take, but it cannot be a requirement for salvation. To make it such is an attack on the sufficiency of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
