In Hebrews 6:1-3, the inspired writer tells us that baptism is an elementary principle of the Gospel. Unfortunately, so many people in the religious world are confused by it and don’t really understand what it is. This is why, in this article, we will biblically address eight things baptism is.
1. Baptism is a procedure.
The Greek words from which we get the word “baptism” mean “to dip; to overwhelm; to immerse, submerge, and emerge.” And, this is definitely what we see practiced in the New Testament. In John 3:23, John was baptizing in the Jordan River in a place where there was “much water.” When John baptized Jesus, both of them went down into the water and both of them came up out of the water (Matthew 3). When Philip baptized the Ethiopian eunuch, both went down into the water and both came up out of the water (Acts 8:35-39). On just a procedural level, this is what baptism is: going into “much water,” going under “much water,” and coming up out of “much water.” With that said, it is unfortunate that so many people believe that they have been baptized because they had water sprinkled or poured on their heads at some point; those things aren’t baptism and those who have been sprinkled or poured on haven’t been biblically baptized.
2. Baptism is something Jesus commanded.
He commanded His disciples to go make more disciples in Matthew 28:18-20. In order to do that, they were to preach the Gospel to everyone everywhere and baptize those who believe (Mark 16:15-16). And, then, those disciples were to go and preach and baptize more people (Matthew 28:20). Now, because it is something Jesus commanded, baptism is not an optional sort of thing. It’s not something someone can take or leave, do or not do. If someone wants to be a disciple of Jesus, then they must obey the command to be baptized. Anyone who is not baptized is not yet a disciple of Jesus.
3. Baptism is the natural response of one who has heard and believed the Gospel.
Jesus said that is was in Mark 16:15-16. And, this is what we see in the book of Acts (2:38-41; 8:5, 12-13, 35-39; 9:12-18; 10:44-48; 16:14-15; 18:8; 19:1-9). Since this is the case, if someone has heard the Gospel and hasn’t been baptized, then they don’t yet fully believe the Gospel; otherwise, they’d be baptized.
4. Baptism is the washing away of one’s sins.
This is what Ananias explained to Paul in Acts 22:16. It is in the waters of baptism that we come in contact with the redeeming blood He shed for us on the cross (1 Peter 1:18-19; Romans 6:3-5). And, it is when we have His blood applied that we are forgiven and saved. Another way of putting it is that baptism is the method of salvation (1 Peter 3:21). As such, anyone who has not been baptized has not yet been forgiven, redeemed, or saved because their sins have not yet been washed away.
5. Baptism is how we receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Peter says as much on Pentecost (Acts 2:38). And, Paul said as much in Ephesians 1:3-14. Without baptism, one does not have the Holy Spirit (Acts 19:1-9).
6. Baptism is how we are born into, conveyed into, and added to the Kingdom of Jesus, the Church.
Jesus said that we must be “born again” with “water and the Spirit” to enter the Kingdom (John 3:3-5). Peter makes clear what that “new birth” is: baptism (Acts 2:38). When we are baptized, God adds/conveys us into the Kingdom/Church (Acts 2:41, 47; Colossians 1:13-14). If someone has not been baptized, then they are not in the Kingdom or the Church of Jesus Christ.
7. Baptism is a declaration of conversion and commitment.
In Acts 2:38, Peter said to “Repent and be baptized.” In Acts 3:19, he says the same thing in a different way: “Repent and be converted.” In the Bible, being baptized is equivalent to being converted. It is the moment of true conversion, from the old life of sin to the walking in the newness of life (Romans 6; Ephesians 4:17-25; Colossians 3:12-17). It is the defining moment when we say to God and man that one is no longer living for himself but for the Lord (Galatians 2:20). As such, without baptism, one is not yet converted.
8. Baptism is a proclamation of His Return.
When one is baptized, they are declaring their faith that Jesus will return to call everyone to the Judgment (2 Corinthians 5:10) and the faithful Home to Heaven (Romans 6:5; John 5:28-29; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18). Baptism proclaims that they are ready for His Return. Without it, one isn’t truly ready for Jesus to return.
Baptism is all of these things and more. It is important, necessary, and something everyone should do if they haven’t already. May those who have not yet been baptized hear, believe, and obey the Gospel of Jesus Christ unto salvation!