7907 baptism, practice of
Dictionary of Bible Themes

Baptism is associated with repenting of sin, believing the gospel message and becoming a member of Christ's body.

Matthew 28:19

Baptism is ordained by Jesus Christ himself

See also

Acts 9:17-18; 16:14-15
Acts 2:38

Baptism is linked with repentance

See also

Hebrews 6:1-2

The "baptisms" referred to here may imply teaching about Jewish rituals or the baptism offered by John the Baptist.

Acts 2:41; 18:8

Baptism follows the decision to believe

See also

Acts 8:12-13; 16:31-33
Acts 19:5

Baptism in the name of God or Jesus Christ

See also

Baptism in or into the name of Jesus Christ

Acts 2:38; 8:16; 10:48
Matthew 28:18-20

Baptism in the name of the Trinity

Romans 6:4

Baptism was by immersion

See also

Acts 8:38

The word "buried" implies immersion.

Mark 1:8

Baptism is linked with the gift of the Holy Spirit

Acts 1:5

See also

Acts 2:4; 11:16
1 Corinthians 12:13

See also

All the Christians at Corinth had been spiritually baptised into Christ and thus united with him.

Manifestations of the Holy Spirit may follow or precede water baptism

Acts 8:12-17; 9:17-18; 10:44-48
1 Corinthians 1:14

The person who baptises is of little importance

What matters is not who baptises but the Saviour in whose name it is done.

1 Corinthians 15:29

Baptism "for the dead"

It is not certain if there was a ceremony of baptism "for the dead" in the NT church, nor whether, if it existed, Paul approved of it.

Acts 16:15,33; 18:8

Passages which may imply infant baptism

1 Corinthians 1:16

The "households" (not merely individuals) may well have included children:

Mark 10:13-16
1 Corinthians 7:14
Colossians 2:11-12

If baptism is here equated with circumcision, this suggests baptism is the sign of the new covenant.

Acts 2:38-41

Passages apparently negating infant baptism

Galatians 3:7

infants cannot repent and believe

See also

Under the new covenant it is faith in Jesus Christ, not an outward sign, that makes a person a child of God.

3257 Holy Spirit, gift of
4296 wells
6732 repentance
7105 believers
7960 singing
Dictionary of Bible Themes
© Martin H. Manser, 2009.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       


7906
Top of Page
Top of Page