What is baptism?

Baptism is the sign and seal of the new covenant: the believer, having trusted Christ, is immersed into His death and resurrection, publicly identifying with Him and being joined to His people. It is commanded by Jesus and received through faith, not a way of earning salvation.

This question arose from studying Why do I need the church?.

Begin by reading

Go into the Word

Not a summary of these passages: the passages themselves. Read them, then come back to the study below.

The study

What the Scripture says

Jesus commanded it

Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. The early church obeyed immediately, baptizing three thousand on the day of Pentecost, and the Ethiopian asked for baptism the moment he believed.

Go,and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,

Matthew 28:19 · WEB

Then those who gladly received his word were baptized. There were added that day about three thousand souls.

Acts 2:41 · WEB

As they went on the way, they came to some water, and the eunuch said, “Behold, here is water. What is keeping me from being baptized?”

Acts 8:36 · WEB

He commanded the chariot to stand still, and they both went down into the water, both Philip and the eunuch, and he baptized him.

Acts 8:38 · WEB

It pictures union with Christ

We who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death, so that just as Christ was raised from the dead, we too might walk in newness of life. It is the visible picture of dying with Him and rising with Him.

Or don’t you know that all we who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him through baptism to death, that just like Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we also might walk in newness of life. For if we have become united with him in the likeness of his death, we will also be part of his resurrection;

Romans 6:3-5 · WEB

having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead.

Colossians 2:12 · WEB

For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.

Galatians 3:27 · WEB

It is the response of faith, not the work that saves

'Repent, and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.' We are saved by grace through faith, not by works; baptism is the believer's obedient confession of that grace.

Peter said to them, “Repent, and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Acts 2:38 · WEB

for by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, that no one would boast.

Ephesians 2:8-9 · WEB

This is a symbol of baptism, which now saves you—not the putting away 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 · WEB

It joins you visibly to God's people

Those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls. By one Spirit we were all baptized into one body. Baptism is not a private event; it is the doorway into the visible church.

Then those who gladly received his word were baptized. There were added that day about three thousand souls.

Acts 2:41 · WEB

For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether bond or free; and were all given to drink into one Spirit.

1 Corinthians 12:13 · WEB

praising God, and having favor with all the people. The Lord added to the assembly day by day those who were being saved.

Acts 2:47 · WEB

As you read, you may wonder…

Scripture raises the next question

Studying the Word naturally opens more of it. Follow what you just read: it leads somewhere.

Continue this trail

What is the Lord's Supper?→“For I received from the Lord that which also I delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night in which he was betrayed took bread. When he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, “Take, eat. This is my body, which is broken for you. Do this in memory of me.” In the same way he also took the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink, in memory of me.” For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.”What does a healthy church look like?→“They continued steadfastly in the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and prayer.”Should infants be baptized, or only believers?→“Peter said to them, “Repent, and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”How often should the church celebrate the Lord's Supper?→“When he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, “Take, eat. This is my body, which is broken for you. Do this in memory of me.” In the same way he also took the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink, in memory of me.” For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.”What is the church?→“I also tell you that you are Peter,and on this rock I will build my assembly, and the gates of Hadeswill not prevail against it.”What is church discipline?→““If your brother sins against you, go, show him his fault between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained back your brother. But if he doesn’t listen, take one or two more with you, that at the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the assembly. If he refuses to hear the assembly also, let him be to you as a Gentile or a tax collector.”Does baptism save a person?→“for by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, that no one would boast.”What is the difference between baptism and the Lord's Supper?→“Go,and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,”Who may take the Lord's Supper?→“Therefore whoever eats this bread or drinks the Lord’s cup in a way unworthy of the Lord will be guilty of the body and the blood of the Lord. But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread, and drink of the cup. For he who eats and drinks in an unworthy way eats and drinks judgment to himself, if he doesn’t discern the Lord’s body.”How is Christ present in the Lord's Supper?→“He took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and gave to them, saying, “This is my body which is given for you. Do this in memory of me.” Likewise, he took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.”What does a church need from its leaders?→“The overseer therefore must be without reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, sensible, modest, hospitable, good at teaching;”What kind of authority did Jesus give church leaders?→“It shall not be so among you, but whoever desires to become great among you shall beyour servant. Whoever desires to be first among you shall be your bondservant, even as the Son of Man came not to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.””What does Peter say about Peter?→“Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. I also tell you that you are Peter,and on this rock I will build my assembly, and the gates of Hadeswill not prevail against it.”Does God require His servants to stay unmarried?→“forbidding marriage and commanding to abstain from foods which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth.”What is the church's mission in the world?→“Go,and make disciples of all 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 commanded you. Behold, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.”Who are God's chosen people?→“and you shall be to me a kingdom of priests, and a holy nation.’ These are the words which you shall speak to the children of Israel.””

Hold onto these

Verses to meditate on