Christian Baptism

Belief, Repentance, and Baptism

What ordinance is closely associated with believing the gospel?

He said to them, “Go into all the world an d preach the good news to all creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.” Mark 16:15,16.

What did the Apostle Peter associate with baptism in his instruction on the day of Pentecost?

Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” Acts 2:38. 

In reply to his inquiry concerning salvation, what did the Philippian jailer told to do?

They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved – you and your household.” Acts 16:31. 

What followed immediately after the jailer and his family had accepted Christ as their Savior?

“At that hour of the night the jailer took them and washed their wounds; then immediately he and his family were baptized.” Verse 33.

Spiritual Significance of Baptism

In connection with Christian baptism, what is washed away?

“And now what are you waiting for? Get up, be baptized and wash your sins away, calling on his name.” Acts 22:16. (See Titus 3:5; 1 Peter 3:21.)  

By what means are sins washed away?

“And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth.” Revelation 1:5.  (His own blood.)

Union With Christ in Baptism

Into whose name are believers to be baptized?

“Therefore 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.

When believers are baptized into Christ, whom do they put on?

“For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.”

Galatians 3:27.

Into what experience are those baptized who are baptized into Christ?

“Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death.” Romans 6:3.

Note – Baptism is a gospel ordinance commemorating the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ. In baptism public testimony is given to the effect that one the one baptized has been crucified with Christ, buried with Him, and is raised with Him in newness of life. Only one mode of baptism can rightly represent these facts of experience, and that is immersion – the mode followed by Christ and the primitive church.

How is such a baptism described?

“We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.” Verse 4. 

How fully are we thus united with Christ in His experience of death and resurrection?

“If we have been united with him like this in death, we will certainly also be united with him in the resurrection.” Verse 5. 

What shall follow this union with Christ?

“Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him.” Verse 8. 

In what working of God is faith to be exercised in connection with baptism?

“Having been buried with him in baptism and raised with him through your faith in the power of God, who raised him from the dead.” Colossians 2:12.

Baptism and the Holy Spirit

At the beginning of His ministry, what example did Jesus set for the benefit of His followers?

“Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John.” Matthew 3:13. 

What occurred at the baptism of Jesus?

“As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and lighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” Verses 16,17. 

What promise is made to those who repent and are baptized?

Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” Acts 2:38.  

What instruction did the Apostle Peter give concerning the Gentiles who had believed?

Then Peter said, “Can anyone keep these people from being baptized with water? They have just received the Holy Spirit just as we have.” So he ordered that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked Peter to stay with them for a few days.”

Acts 10:47,48.

Philip Baptizes an Ethiopian and Samaritans

What question did the eunuch ask after Philip had preached Jesus unto him?

“As they traveled along the road, they came to some water and the eunuch said, “Look, here is water. Why shouldn’t I be baptized?” Acts 8:36.  

Where did Philip go to baptize the eunuch?

“And he gave orders to stop the chariot. Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and Philip baptized him.” Verse 38.

How did the people of Samaria publicly testify to their faith in the preaching of Philip?

“But when they believed Philip as he preached the good news of the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.” Verse 12.

Unity and Heavenly Purpose

“The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts, and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body – whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free – and we were all given the one Spirit to drink.” 1 Corinthians 12:12,13.

After being united with Christ in the likeness of His death and resurrection, what should the believer do?