Dictionary of Bible Themes: 7907 baptism, practice of

7907 baptism, practice of

Dictionary of Bible Themes

Dictionary of Bible Themes » 7000 God's people » 7900 The life of the church » 7903 baptism » 7907 baptism, practice of

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

Baptism is ordained by Jesus Christ himself

Matthew 28:19 See also Acts 9:17-18; Acts 16:14-15

Baptism is linked with repentance

Acts 2:38 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.

Baptism follows the decision to believe

Acts 2:41; Acts 18:8 See also Acts 8:12-13; Acts 16:31-33

Baptism in the name of God or Jesus Christ

Baptism in or into the name of Jesus Christ

Acts 19:5 See also Acts 2:38; Acts 8:16; Acts 10:48

Baptism in the name of the Trinity

Matthew 28:18-20

Baptism was by immersion

Romans 6:4 The word “buried” implies immersion. See also Acts 8:38

Baptism is linked with the gift of the Holy Spirit

Mark 1:8; Acts 1:5 See also Acts 2:4; Acts 11:16

1 Corinthians 12:13 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

The person who baptises is of little importance

1 Corinthians 1:14 What matters is not who baptises but the Saviour in whose name it is done.

Baptism “for the dead”

1 Corinthians 15:29 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.

Passages which may imply infant baptism

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

Acts 16:15,33; Acts 18:8; 1 Corinthians 1:16 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.

Passages apparently negating infant baptism

Acts 2:38-41 infants cannot repent and believe; Galatians 3:7 Under the new covenant it is faith in Jesus Christ, not an outward sign, that makes a person a child of God.