God bless you as you study through this.
Here’s a list of some Bible verses that refer to baptism. Remember to read the verses surrounding each text. Ask the questions: Who wrote or said it? To whom was it written or spoken? What was the author's intended meaning for his first readers?
There are also Old Testament lessons that are interesting (i.e. creation/Noah’s Flood, Israel through the Red Sea and the Jordan River, and the water basin in the tabernacle).
Here’s the question: What does God do when a person hears, believes, repents and is immersed?
- He saves (Mark 16:16). Jesus said, “He that believes and is immersed shall be saved.”
- He forgives sins (Acts 2:38). God’s forgiveness follows repentance and immersion.
- He gives the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38; 19:2-3). God’s gift of His own Breath, Presence, Power and Comfort follows repentance and immersion.
- He washes away sins and we call on His name (Acts 22:16). Saul most certainly believed in Jesus before Ananias told him what to do next.
- He moves us into Christ (Romans 6:3). If I am immersed INTO Christ, then where am I before being immersed?
- He buries us with Christ (Romans 6:4). Dead in my trespasses and now dead to the world, God buries the repentant (dead to the world) believer. The dead man does nothing! This is not a “work” where one tries to earn salvation.
- He resurrects with Christ (Romans 6:4-11). What do we call a man who is dead and has not yet been resurrected?
- He raises us to a life free from sin and full of power in Christ (Romans 6:12-23).
- He circumcises – cutting all around – to free us and mark us (Colossians 2:9-14).
- He saves us through immersion like He saved Noah through the flood (1 Peter 3:21).
A couple more observations:
- Baptism and the Lord's Supper are the only two ceremonies that Jesus commanded (Matthew 28:19-20 and 1 Corinthians 11:23-31).
- Immersion is only for those who have believed and repented. Only those who receive Jesus as the only begotten Son of God, the only Savior and Lord have the right to become children of God (Matthew 28:19-20 and John 1:12).
- We call on His name at immersion (Joel 2:31; Acts 2:21, 38 and Romans 10:13).
- This ceremony is like an adoption ceremony as our Father in heaven brings us into His family.
- Notice that in all these actions, it is GOD that is at work. The sinner is the dead and helpless one. Baptism is not a "work" by which one gains God's favor. It is an confident appeal to God for Him to save us and keep His promise (1 Peter 3:21).
Consider the NINE conversions in the book of Acts.
Luke records that every one of them was immersed. He does not mention the all the other aspects of being saved in each account.
- Acts 2:36-42 – 3,000 from all over the world
- Acts 8:4-13 – Samaritans (incl. Simon)
- Acts 8:26-39 – Ethiopian treasurer
- Acts 9:1-20 (cf Acts 22:15,16) – Saul of Tarsus (aka Paul)
- Acts 10:34-48 – Roman Centurion, Cornelius and household
- Acts 16:11-15 – Macedonian, Lydia and household
- Acts 16:23-34 – Philippian Jailer and household
- Acts 18:8 – Crispus and many Corinthians
- Acts 19:1-7 – Disciples in Ephesus