Baptism in Light of the Bible
Exploring topics in the Bible that are important to cover immediately after salvation, you’ll more than likely find yourself studying or hearing about the doctrine of baptism.
The biblical directions for baptism are clear as day, yet there are many cults who will try to twist what the Word of God says and make baptism something it isn’t — including trying to make it a requirement to get to heaven.
When we receive the free gift of eternal life by placing our faith in the finishing work of Jesus Christ, we are by default trusting that it is finished. Jesus made this comment before His death on the cross and it is recorded to show us that there is nothing outside of faith in what Jesus has already done that is needed to be guaranteed eternal life.
This article will take a dive into the who, what, when, where, why, and how of baptism in light of the Bible.
Let’s jump into it.
The Basics of Baptism According to the Bible
Baptism is one of those doctrines in which it is absolutely essential to define the who, what, when, where, and why. On these five fronts, we’ll look at verses that dial us in to what baptism is all about and why it is important.
Who, What, When, Where, How?
The Bible makes it clear that salvation is available to all humans, so long as they have not crossed a line of no return by rejecting the gospel too many times (see our story on the reprobate mind here).
If you are not in the reprobate category, you are eligible for salvation because Jesus has not only paid the full price for the salvation of all of us, but God explicitly desires that none should perish — yet we know that’s not the case.
The Bible tells us about God’s heart for all:
The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is long-suffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
2 Peter 3:9
We also know that salvation is available to all based on the following verses, with an emphasis on it being a gift from God that is not of our own works:
So if all can be saved that are not already rejected of God, does that mean we should be baptized before or after salvation?
Thankfully, the Bible records an instance of this question being asked in the book of Acts by an Ethiopian eunuch.
Let’s look at what Acts 8:36–37 says when answering the question of what would hinder someone to be baptized.
And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, see, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? And Philip said, if thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.
Acts 8:36–37
There are a couple of items that should jump out to us right away from this text.
The first thing — we know that belief is a pre-requisite to be baptized.
The second thing — we know what needs to be believed in order to be baptized.
The third thing — water is involved.
This tells us about the “what” element of baptism in that someone must believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and that water must be involved in the act.
We read later in Acts 8:39 that Philip went and dunked the eunuch under the water because it is recorded that Philip departed as they came out of the water that they had come up to.
Essentially, faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ according to the Bible is required to be clarified beforehand AND immersion under the body of water is also how baptism is carried out.
One additional instance speaking on immersion can be found when the Bible describes the baptism of Jesus carried out by John the Baptist in Matthew 3:16–17.
Because of this passage, we can confirm that the Ethiopian eunuch followed the same pattern as Jesus by coming “straightway out of the water.”
But Why?
If you were to ask a Pentecostal, Latter Day Saint, or a Catholic, they would tell you that the “why” behind baptism has to do with preserving the opportunity for someone to enter into heaven after death.
Since we know that salvation is not of works — especially not of good works — the Bible refutes the notions from these three cults rather directly.
There is no grey area or wiggle room on this.
Without a biblical view of baptism, we won’t have a biblical view of salvation.
The act of being dunked under water is to symbolize what has already taken place in in your heart through faith in Jesus, according to the scriptures.
If we make baptism ANYTHING else, we base our salvation on self-righteousness, effort, or even worse — spiritual pride.
So — baptism doesn’t save us, doesn’t guarantee or change our status with God regarding eternal life, and does not come with any physical benefits before or after the act is performed.
So still the question begs — why?
Well, when giving what’s become known as “The Great Commission” in Matthew 28:18–20, Jesus gives the distinction of going and teaching all nations of the world but then also proceeds to tell those listening to baptize those that are being reached as well.
So one reason for the action of baptism can be summed up as this — Jesus commands those who are saved to go and baptize others once they are saved.
Something else to consider about baptism is that it also emphasizes that the God of the Bible identifies His people based on who has received the free gift of salvation in their hearts.
Throughout scripture we can see multiple examples of how the Jewish Pharisees and other leaders were dependent on the image others perceived of them to maintain their self-righteous, delusional form of holiness.
Rather, as Romans 2:28–29 indicates, the true people of God are not those who are physical descendants of a specific bloodline or family or patriarch — but rather those who have been changed spiritually on the inside in the heart.
Baptism, then, also allows us to provide an outward witness of what has already taken place internally and spiritually.
If we belong to Jesus Christ through identifying with His death, burial, and resurrection — we are sealed until the day of the redemption — and our outward witness of that taking place can and does serve as an encouragement to other believers and an example to those who have not yet been saved.
So, all things considered, is something hindering you from being baptized?
Only your unbelief.
