Baptism
The Bible closely links baptism with believing the gospel—the good news of salvation through Jesus Christ. It's in the Bible, Mark 16:15, 16, NIV. “He [Jesus] said to them, ‘Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whosoever does not believe will be condemned.’”
When the people were convicted by Peter’s sermon on the day of Pentecost, what did Peter tell them they should do? It’s in the Bible, Acts 2:38, NIV. “Peter replied, ‘Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins.’”
Baptism represents the washing away of one’s sins. It symbolizes the fact that just as Jesus died for our sins, was buried, and rose again to life—so we have died to our sins, are buried under the water in baptism, and rise again to live a new life in Jesus. It’s in the Bible, Acts 22:16, NKJV. “And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord.”
It's in the Bible, Romans 6:1-4, NIRV. “What should we say then? Should we keep on sinning so that God's grace can increase? Not at all! As far as sin is concerned, we are dead. So how can we keep on sinning? All of us were baptized into Christ Jesus. Don't you know that we were baptized into his death? By being baptized, we were buried with Christ into his death. Christ has been raised from the dead by the Father's glory. And like Christ we also can live a new life.”
How many different types of baptism do the Scriptures teach? It's in the Bible, Ephesians 4:5, NKJV. “One Lord, one faith, one baptism.”
Note: the word “baptize” in the Bible means “dip” or “immerse”
How and where did Philip conduct the baptism of the converted eunuch? It's in the Bible, Acts 8:36-39, NKJV. “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. Now when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught Philip away, so that the eunuch saw him no more; and he went on his way rejoicing.”
What occurred at the baptism of Jesus? It’s in the Bible, Matthew 3:16-17, NKJV. “When He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him. And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, ‘This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.’”
Into whose name are believers to be baptized? It's in the Bible, Matthew 28:19, NKJV. “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.”
What are the prerequisites of baptism? It's in the Bible, Acts 8:12, NKJV. “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.”
