As you read and study what has bee written here, do not just blindly accept it. Please check the Scriptures and ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to you His truth. The Scriptures quoted are from the King James version with the words of Jesus in red.
What is Baptism and what does the Bible say about it?
Baptism as it is defined in the College Edition of Webster’s New World Dictionary of the American Language is "a dipping in," "immersion," "to plunge or immerse." It goes on to state "a baptizing or being baptized; specifically, the ceremony or sacrament of admitting a person into Christianity or a specific Christian Church by dipping him in water or sprinkling water on him, as a symbol of washing away sin. It also is any experience or ordeal that initiates, tests, or purifies."
Nelson’s Illustrated Bible Dictionary states it in a slightly different way. "A ritual practiced in the New Testament church that is still used in various forms by different denominations and branches of the Christian Church, Baptism involves the application of water to the body of a person. It is frequently thought of as an act by which the believer enters the fellowship of the church. Widely differing interpretations of the act exist among Christian groups. They have different views on the nature of baptism, who should be baptized, and the appropriate method by which baptism should be administered."
The word baptism comes from the Greek word baptizo, which means "to be put into or buried into, made a participant or partaker." It does not mean being poured upon, as some have interpreted it to mean.
Much controversy exists because of, as is stated in the above paragraph from the Nelson Illustrated Bible Dictionary, "Widely differing interpretations of the act exist among Christian groups." It is, without a doubt, no exaggeration to say the subject of baptism not only has differing meanings for each group of individuals within, but perhaps is also one of the least understood of the rituals practiced in, the church world. Because of this, baptism is a very controversial subject. Much of what is taught by the various church groups is based upon tradition and custom rather than Scripture. Tradition and custom, while meaningful to many people and therefore important to them, can often incorporate elements not supported by the Scriptures. The intent here is not to put forth my view but to encourage you to study the Scriptures asking the Holy Spirit to reveal His truth to you.
WHAT DOES SCRIPTURE SAY ABOUT IT?
Most people think there is only the one baptism which is defined in the statements above. Actually, there are eight differing contexts of baptisms mentioned in the New Testament. They are John’s baptism, repentance, water, into Christ, into the Body of Christ, into death, salvation, and Holy Spirit. These eight differing contexts can be divided into two groups. The first three, John’s baptism, repentance, and into water, all were occurring prior to Christ’s death, burial, and ascension. The remaining five occurred only after Christ was seated at the right hand of the Father. Many believe this distinction is important because when Paul discovered that the disciples which he encountered at Ephesus had been baptized only unto John’s baptism they were then baptized again in the name of the Lord Jesus. The Holy Ghost then came upon them, or they were baptized by the Holy Spirit, when Paul laid hands on them. This, many say, indicates three differing baptisms.
Acts 19:1-7 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 the Holy Ghost 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. 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. And all the men were about twelve.
John baptized people into the water of the river Jordan and he called for repentance with the baptism. This is why some think John’s baptism, repentance, and water, are all one baptism called by three names or three differing descriptions of the same activity .
JOHN’S BAPTISM WITH WATER UNTO REPENTANCE
Matthew 3:11 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, and with fire:
This verse of Scripture noted above is speaking of John the Baptist as the one who was baptizing unto repentance. He was not the "Christ", in fact he said there was one mightier who would come after him whose shoes he was not able to bear. Mark 1:7-9, Luke 3:16, and John 1:26-27 also relate this same story about John and Jesus but without the reference to repentance.
Mark 1:7-9 And preached, saying, There cometh one mightier than I after me, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to stoop down and unloose. I indeed have baptized you with water: but he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost. And it came to pass in those days, that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized of John in Jordan.
Luke 3:16 John answered, saying unto them all, I indeed baptize you with water; but one mightier than I cometh, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire:
John 1:26-27 John answered them, saying, I baptize with water: but there standeth one among you, whom ye know not; He it is, who coming after me is preferred before me, whose shoe’s latchet I am not worthy to unloose.
These five verses of Scripture all speak of John’s baptism unto repentance.
Matthew 3:7-8 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance:
Mark 1:4, John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.
Luke 3:3, And he came into all the country about Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins
Acts 13:24, When John had first preached before his coming the baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel.
Acts 19:4 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.
Baptism into water is mentioned in Matthew 3:5-6, Matthew 3:13-16, Mark 1:8, and John 1:26-27.
Matthew 3:5-6 Then went out to him Jerusalem, and all Judaea, and all the region round about Jordan, And were baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins.
Mathew 3:13-17 Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him. But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me? And Jesus answering said unto him,
Mark 1:8 I indeed have baptized you with water: but he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost.
John 1:26-27 John answered them, saying, I baptize with water: but there standeth one among you, whom ye know not; He it is, who coming after me is preferred before me, whose shoe’s latchet I am not worthy to unloose.
There are nine verses where Scripture mentions John’s baptism or the baptism of John.
Matthew 21:25 The baptism of John, whence was it? from heaven, or of men?
Mark 11:30 The baptism of John, was it from heaven, or of men? answer me.
Luke 7:29 And all the people that heard him, and the publicans, justified God, being baptized with the baptism of John.
Luke 20:4
The baptism of John, was it from heaven, or of men?Acts 1:22 Beginning from the baptism of John, unto that same day that he was taken up from us, must one be ordained to be a witness with us of his resurrection.
Acts 18:25 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.
Acts 19:3 And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John’s baptism.
We are told in Matthew 3:2 that John the Baptist came preaching repentence because the kingdom of heaven is at hand. Matthew went on to say, in verse six, that those whom John baptized also confessed their sins thereby linking baptism and confession.
Matthew 3:1-6 In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea, And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. And the same John had his raiment of camel’s hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins; and his meat was locusts and wild honey. Then went out to him Jerusalem, and all Judaea, and all the region round about Jordan, And were baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins.
Jesus also preached repentance after He heard that John the Baptist had been put in prison.
Matthew 4:12-17 Now when Jesus had heard that John was cast into prison, he departed into Galilee; And leaving Nazareth, he came and dwelt in Capernaum, which is upon the sea coast, in the borders of Zabulon and Nephthalim: That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, The land of Zabulon, and the land of Nephthalim, by the way of the sea, beyond Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles; The people which sat in darkness saw great light; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death light is sprung up. From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say,
From these Scriptures it is clear that baptism, confession and repentance are all tied together. The act or ceremony of baptism by itself will accomplish nothing more than the wetting of a person by water. It must be accompanied by a confession acknowledging the sinful state of the one being baptized along with repentance. As such, it would seem to indicate that only those who have come to a conscious, personal decision to believe and follow Jesus is a proper candidate for baptism. These would be ones who have already experienced the new birth based upon their personal faith and who give evidence of this salvation in their lives. Most people who desire to be baptized have realized the need for confession of their sins and repentance and have already fulfilled these requirements.
John W. Kennedy, a long time missionary to India, had this to say about baptism: "The conversion experience of today, where people pass from a denial to an acceptance of the work of Christ, is first and foremost an entry into a new life of which the revelation is but a part. The proof of the reality of the experience is a consistent walk, and it is only in the light of a life which is obviously ordered by devotion to Christ that the testimony of baptism has any meaning."
Baptism into Christ and into the Body
As a believer in Jesus, who has confessed your sins and repented, you are a member of the Body of Christ. You have been baptized into Christ (Galatians 3:27) and into the Body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:13). This baptism is thought by many to be associated with becoming a believer rather than the act of immersion in water. When you consider that one of the definitions of baptism is "to be immersed into something" then when you become a believer you are "immersed into Christ, or the Body of Christ", or "baptized into Christ, or the Body of Christ."
Galatians 3:22-29 But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe. But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed. Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster. 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. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.
1 Corinthians 12:12-14 For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. For the body is not one member, but many.
Into Salvation
1 Peter 3:21-22 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.
We have been commanded, by Jesus, to go, teach and baptize "in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost."
Matthew 28:18-20 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying,
Jesus set for us the example by commanding John to baptize Him in the River Jordan that it might "fulfill all righteousness."
Mathew 3:13-15 Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him. But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me? And Jesus answering said unto him,
This was also taught later by Peter when he, speaking under the power of the Holy Spirit, commanded the new Gentile converts to be baptized in the name of the Lord. As believers in the name of Jesus who have repented of our sins it seems to me that we have no choice but to be baptized.
Acts 10:44-48 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. 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 the Holy Ghost as well as we? And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.
Public proclamation is not something that is necessary, but it does serve to reinforce any decision we have made. Not all of the Scripture passages referring to baptism indicate those being baptized were witnessed by others. One in particular is recorded in the eighth chapter of Acts when Phillip baptized the eunuch. There may have been others besides Phillip and the eunuch there but if so, Scripture is silent on that point.
Acts 8:35-39 Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus. 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. And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing.
Baptism is also symbolic wherein it identifies the believer’s baptism with the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus.
Romans 6:3-6 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. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.
When you are baptized it is not into a church, but into the Body of Christ. Your name may appear on the list of those belonging to a group of people who call themselves by some church name, but you must remember you are first a member of the Body of Christ.
1 Corinthians 12:12-14 For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. For the body is not one member, but many.
The Baptism of the Holy Ghost (or Holy Spirit)
The last baptism from the list of eight is of the Holy Spirit. Some make a distinction between the terms "filled with the Holy Spirit or Holy Ghost" and "baptized in the Spirit." They insist "speaking with other tongues as the Spirit gives them utterance" is the evidence of the baptism of the Holy Spirit.
There are also numerous accounts in the Old Testament where individuals who are "filled with Spirit" have exhibited abilities well beyond the natural human ones. We have witnessed a number of individuals in our present day who also have been mightily endued with a power to proclaim the word of God who don’t "speak in tongues." Billy Graham is one that comes immediately to my mind but there are many others.
John the Baptist (Luke 1:15), John’s mother Elisabeth, (Luke 1:43), and John’s father Zacharias, (Luke 1:67) were all filled with the Holy Ghost. Scripture says they prophesied but there is no account of speaking in tongues associated with it. There are eight verses of Scripture, in the New Testament, where the term "filled or baptized with the Holy Spirit or Holy Ghost" occurs. There are two accounts, Acts 10:45-46 and Acts 2:4, where "speaking in tongues" is associated with "being filled or baptized with the Holy Ghost or Holy Spirit." Both of these events occur after the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus. All eight, however, are associated with being endued with boldness to proclaim God’s Word.
Luke 1:13-17 But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John. And thou shalt have joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at his birth. For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother’s womb. And many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God. And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.
Luke 1:41-43 And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost: And she spake out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb. And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?
Luke 1:67 And his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Ghost, and prophesied, saying,
Joel prophesied of this long before it was first experienced in Luke 3:22 by Jesus and again in Acts 2 by those in the upper room on the day of Pentecost.
Joel 2:28-30 And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions: And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit. And I will shew wonders in the heavens and in the earth, blood, and fire, and pillars of smoke.
Luke 3:21-22 Now when all the people were baptized, it came to pass, that Jesus also being baptized, and praying, the heaven was opened, And the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon him, and a voice came from heaven, which said, Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased.
Acts 2:1-4 And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. 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, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
Whether or not these two terms speak of the same or different operations, the effect of both is to be endued with power for service and to witness. This is only one of many changes which occurs when you have been and are being baptized by the Holy Spirit. Notice the phrase "have been and are being." Some believe this baptism is not a one time event but is a continuing experience. They suggest that being filled with the Holy Spirit should be a continuing experience rather than a one time event. Their logic is that we are a "leaky wineskin" which must be constantly refilled with the "wine" of the Holy Spirit. While my own experience leads me to agree with that premise, I have not found Scripture to support the belief.
Luke 24:47 And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.
A. J. Gordon, a Baptist Minister who lived from 1836 to 1895, in his book "The Ministry of the Spirit" written in 1894, writes about the enduement of power from on high and I quote:
"...the divine illumination of evangelists and prophets who were commissioned to be the vehicles of inspired Scripture, we must call attention to other passages which connect the knowledge of God with the Holy Spirit. ‘For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of a man which is in him? Even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God’ (1 Corinthians 2:11)...only the Spirit of God can know and make known the thoughts and teachings and revelations of God. This seems to be the meaning of John in his discourse concerning the divine unction: ‘But the anointing which you have received of Him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you of all things’ (1 John 2:17) The enduement of the Spirit distinctly manifests itself in the tuned discernment of revealed truth that it imparts. ...Even more clearly in knowledge and teaching is the contrast between the instruction of learning and the intuition of the Spirit. While we should not undervalue the former, it is striking to note how the Bible puts the weightier emphasis on the latter."
It is through this baptism we are endued with power from on high. This power could be defined as giving us the ability to have the desire, strength, and power for service, and as witnesses for Christ, to become the functioning part of the Body of Christ who is the Bride He will return for.
Bill Liddle
If you desire additional information you may contact me: Bill