40 Best Bible Verses About Baptism

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Baptism comes from the Greek word “baptisma” which means to wash or the act of washing.  It is a symbolical act that means the “rebirth” of a sinful person who is without Christ into someone who has faith and belief in Christ. There are Bible verses about baptism that says, being baptized means being one with God (Ephesians 4:4 – 6). In this article, we will discuss what baptism is and other important questions that surround it.

What Is Water Baptism?

Water baptism is one of the most essential parts of becoming a Christian. It is the process of completely submerging a person into the water after they confess their sins and repent. Baptizing can be done in any open bodies of water, a pool, or the baptistry; as long as the person can be completely submerged. But why is there a need to be submerged in water? Baptism means being born again into a new life where you willingly let God lead you through every step of the way. It washes away our sins and opens us for the amazing works of God. To do all of that, we must be cleansed through the blood of Christ, also known as the redemption of sin, represented by water.

Since the beginning of Christianity, John the Baptist pioneered the idea of Water Baptism. He started baptizing Jews in the  Jordan River to show the repentance of sin with the belief that the Son of God will soon come to save them. Our Lord Jesus Christ was also baptized, setting the example and teaching us the value of water baptism.

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Matthew 28:19-20

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, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.

Submerging into the water of baptism is an important commandment of God. In the verse above, Christ explained what should come with baptism. It is obedience; obedience to the word of God. Following that commandment gives us the assurance that God and His miracles will always be with us.

What Are The Requirements To Be Baptized?

Arguments regarding baptism have long been present. The debate about whether a person should be baptized in his/her infant stage is correct or not. The answers can be easily found in the scriptures. The early Christians were baptized when they confessed their sins (Mark 1:5). Can an infant do that? No. Besides the infant’s inability to speak, a baby is sinless. And the purpose of baptism is for our sins to be washed away.

To be baptized, it is required that the person is aware of God’s law and what he did against it before baptism. Confession and repentance is a very important part of baptism. That is why it is very important that the person being baptized is mature enough to know and contemplate their sins before committing to a Christ abiding life. Understanding what God wants for His people and His plans for those who decided to follow Him is also important. Therefore, baptism should be done with the awareness of the person being baptized, not an infant or a toddler who has no understanding of sin and confession.

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What Does Being Baptized Mean?

The moment we finished the whole process of baptism, from confessing our sins and declaring our faith to God, we commit to a life directed by God. It means that we don’t live base on our understanding and however we want, it means that we agree to live according to God’s will.

John the Baptist began to baptize the Jews because of God’s instruction. And for the sole purpose of making Jesus Christ known to all of Israel. If we will read the Bible, we will see that before John baptized people, he first teach them God’s commandments and introduce to them the arrival of the Messiah. After the preaching, he will then start the baptism of the people who believe that someone, God’s only son, will come to save them from sin. With the willingness to repent on their sin, they will be baptized in the name of the Father, His Son, and the Holy Spirit.

Why Is Water Baptism Important?

Even our Lord Jesus Christ Himself got baptized. And that’s enough reason to consider baptism as something essential. But if we will go through the Holy Scriptures we can see how important baptism is. Baptism is equivalent to

Baptism washes away our sins and let us live a life closer to God. That is why baptized people are called “born again”.  Being baptized means that we are reborn into a  whole new person. We’re cleansed from all the sins that we committed against God. Water baptism is more than just for joining a  religion. It means that we admit our sins and have the willingness to repent. Also, it requires full faith in the Lord Jesus Christ whose blood was shed for the redemption of our sin.

Acts 2:38

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.”

Being baptized means entering into a commitment with God. It is meant to establish a connection between God and us. By being cleansed through baptism, we are letting the Holy Spirit work in us freely. Just as being covered in water is symbolical to being wrapped in the blood of Jesus, it will also serve as our protection against the works of the Devil.

Can We Acquire Salvation Without Baptism?

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Mark 16:16

Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.

Salvation is like a complicated dish. It will not be completed unless all the ingredients are there. And one of the main ingredients is baptism. Because without repentance and faith, we can’t be baptized. Repentance and faith are also very important when talking about salvation.

Mark 1:8

I have baptized you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”

Being baptized with the Holy Spirit means turning away from the old things that we used to do when we were not yet believers. The Holy Ghost will help our hearts to be strong enough to resist all temptations of the world and from the Devil.

What Happens When We Are Baptized?

Acts 8:13

Even Simon himself believed, and after being baptized he continued with Philip. And seeing signs and great miracles performed, he was amazed.

The difference between being baptized and not being baptized isn’t just your religion. It is also how God will work in our lives. In baptism, we have chosen to be God’s children. And as His children, we can expect blessings as wells as trials that His enemy will throw upon us.

But above all things, being baptized opens the gate of blessings in our life. And the biggest of those blessings is our salvation.

Bible Verses About Water Baptism

Titus 3:5

He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit.

Ephesians 4:4-6

“There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.”

Acts 2:38

And Peter said to them, “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 22:16

And now why do you wait? Rise and be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on his name.’

John 20:29 

Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

Romans 6:4

We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life

1 Peter 3:21

And this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also—not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a clear conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Ephesians 4:5

one Lord, one faith, one baptism

Colossians 2:11–12

In [Christ] you were circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead.

1 Peter 3:21

The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:

Early Christians Were Baptized

Acts 16:15

And after she was baptized, and her household as well, she urged us, saying, “If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come to my house and stay.” And she prevailed upon us.

Matthew 3:15-16

 But Jesus answered him, “Let it be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he consented. And when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him;

Acts 8:12

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

1 Corinthians 1:16

(I did baptize also the household of Stephanas. Beyond that, I do not know whether I baptized anyone else.)

Galatians 3:26-27

For in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ

1 Corinthians 12:13

For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit.

Acts 2:41

So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls.

Acts 19:5-6

On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. When Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied.

Acts 16:33

And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their wounds, and he was baptized at once, he and all his family.

Colossians 3:9

Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices

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John The Baptist

Before Jesus was born, it was predicted in the Book of Isaiah, that someone will come before Christ for the purpose of being a witness to the life of the Messiah. This man in the prophecy is known as John the Baptist (John 1:8). In the Book of Luke, we can read how the angel told John’s father, Zacharias, that John will be filled with the Holy Spirit and will become the one who prepares the way for Jesus. John spent his days announcing Jesus’ arrival and encouraging people to repent. When they repented, he baptized them with water in the Jordan River. Hence, the name “John the Baptist”.

Acts 19:4

Paul said, “John’s baptism was a baptism of repentance. He told the people to believe in the one coming after him, that is, in Jesus.”

Hebrews 10:39 

But we are not of those who draw back to perdition but of those who believe to the saving of the soul.

John 3:5

Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit.”

Matthew 3:13-14

Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John, to be baptized by him.¹⁴ John would have prevented him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” 

Luke 3:16

John answered them all, saying, “I baptize you with water, but He who is mightier than I is coming, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. 

Baptism is an important part of Christianity. It is the final stage of our rebirth through the blood of Christ. After repenting from all our sins, knowing the doctrines of Christianity, and witnessing the marvelous love of  God to humanity, we commit to baptism; implying that we are ready to submit ourselves to the power of our Lord. With many religions that exist nowadays, it is possible that we have gone through baptism more than once. But the only baptism that is valid in the eyes of our heavenly Father is the baptism that we acquire after we opened our eyes to the truths written in the Bible.