What are the key Bible verses on baptism? If you or your child want to be baptized in water here are Bible verses on baptism to discuss.
A Rite of Passage
Kristi and I have each been water baptized to publicly identify ourselves with Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. We are thankful that each of our children as teenagers also chose to participate in this important sacrament. We treated this as a special Rite of Passage to commemorate them making their faith in Jesus Christ their own personal choice.
With each of our children we discussed key Bible verses on baptism to help them understand the New Testament teaching on the meaning and value of being baptized in water. We also prayed over them about this, asking God for his blessing on their baptism and their growing life in Christ. Then we had a special celebration service with friends and family. One of our children was baptized at church, one in our house and backyard spa, and a third at Grandma’s house.
We’ve talked with other parents who want to use their child’s baptism as a spiritual rite of passage and they have found these Scriptures to be helpful points for teaching and conversation. We’ve also talked with adults who are getting baptized. Some are new Christians. Others were sprinkled as infants and now want to be baptized by immersion as adults.
Bible Verses on Baptism
Here are the Bible verses on baptism that we have used to generate discussion and prayer. (All Bible verses are from the NIV84 unless indicated otherwise.)
John the Baptist prepared the way for Jesus’ Holy Spirit baptism
“I baptize with water those who turn from their sins and turn to God. But someone is coming soon who is far greater than I am — so much greater that I am not even worthy to be his slave. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.” (Matthew 3:11, NLT)
Disciples of Jesus are baptized into the name (immersed in the reality) of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit
“Go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.” (Matthew 28:19)
Water baptism is a confirmation of the baptism in the Holy Spirit
“Paul made his way down through the mountains, came to Ephesus, and happened on some disciples there. The first thing he said was, `Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed? Did you take God into your mind only, or did you also embrace him with your heart? Did he get inside you?’
‘We’ve never even heard of that – a Holy Spirit? God within us?’
‘How were you baptized then?’ asked Paul.
‘In John’s baptism.’
‘That explains it,’ said Paul. `John preached a baptism of radical life-change so that people would be ready to receive the One coming after him, who turned out to be Jesus. If you’ve been baptized in John’s baptism, you’re ready now for the real thing, for Jesus.’
And they were. As soon as they heard of it, they were baptized in the name of the Master Jesus. Paul put his hands on their heads and the Holy Spirit entered them. From that moment on, they were praising God in tongues and talking about God’s actions.” (Acts 19:1-6, The Message)
To be baptized is to have your sins washed away
“And now, why delay? Get up and be baptized, and have your sins washed away, calling on the name of the Lord.” (Ananias to Paul: Acts 22:16, NLT)
To be baptized is to join with Jesus in dying to sin and being raised to new life
“When we became Christians and were baptized to become one with Christ Jesus, we died with him? For we died and were buried with Christ by baptism. And just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious power of the Father, now we also may live new lives.” (Romans 6:3-4, NLT)
Anyone who believes in Jesus can be baptized, regardless of their church background
“Some of us are Jews, some are Gentiles, some are slaves, and some are free. But we have all been baptized into Christ’s body by one Spirit, and we have all received the same Spirit.” (1 Corinthians 12:13)
Baptism is an initiation into a brand new life of forgiveness and intimacy with God
“If it’s an initiation ritual you’re after, you’ve already been through it by submitting to baptism. Going under the water was a burial of your old life; coming up out of it was a resurrection, God raising you from the dead as he did Christ. When you were stuck in your old sin-dead life, you were incapable of responding to God. God brought you alive – right along with Christ! Think of it! All sins forgiven, the slate wiped clean, that old arrest warrant canceled and nailed to Christ’s Cross.” (Colossians 2:11-14, The Message)
We are baptized in Christ — what God gives to Jesus he gives to us!
“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.’ (Matthew 3:16-17)