Beth-El Baptist Church

01/08/2012

Greg Tomlinson


What is baptism?


The scriptures provide much information about the form, the timing, the meaning, and the importance behind the word “baptism”.


  1. What kinds of baptisms are there?

Matthew 3:7-12 Mark 1:7-8

Luke 3:15-17 John 1:25-27

Acts 1:4-5; 11:15-17 Matthew 20:22-23

Mark 10:38-39


There are actually 3 types of baptism. There is John's Baptism, which is a baptism of repentance and is identified as a water baptism. There is the baptism of Jesus or Holy Spirit baptism in which the Holy Spirit comes upon an individual. Finally there is the ultimate final baptism of Jesus which is a sacrificial baptism or a baptism that is signified by dying a martyrs death.


  1. Is water baptism required for salvation?

1 Peter 3:20-21 John 4:1-2

1 Corinthians 1:14-18 Luke 23:39-43

Acts 16:30-32


There are several scriptures that indicate that water baptism is not necessary for salvation. It is important to note that Jesus did not baptize in water and Paul made it clear that Christ did not send him to baptize. If baptism was required for salvation than surely Jesus and Paul would have made water baptism a fundamental component of their message and ministry. Note also that the thief on the cross was told that he would be in “paradise” yet there was no time for him to be baptized. Paul and Silas told the jailer that to be saved they needed to “believe on the Lord Jesus Christ”.


  1. What is the purpose of water baptism?

Romans 6:3-5 Colossians 2:12

Matthew 3:14-15; 28:19-20


Paul ties the water baptism of an individual as being parallel to dying in Christ and then rising again in Christ. Water baptism is a sign of obedience to the call and commands of Christ. It is proper at this point to acknowledge that since water baptism is not a requirement of salvation it is important to do in order to be obedient to Jesus Christ (John 14:15).


  1. How should water baptism be performed?

John 3:23 Acts 8:35-39

Matthew 3:16


Based upon the basic meaning of the Greek Word – indicating repeated dipping or immersion – and the descriptions of those being baptized. It should be clear that a water baptism should be performed by immersing the one being baptized into the water. Notice that where John baptized there was “much water there” and that after being baptized people “went up … out of the water” or they “came up out of the water”. It only makes sense to go down into the water if the baptized person is to completely enter into the water.


  1. When should water baptism be performed?

Acts 8:35-39; 10:44-47


A baptism should be performed as soon as it is acceptable. In the beginning church, it was common to baptize as soon as the person professed Jesus Christ. Most churches today baptize after seeking to evaluating the faith of the individual. Note that Philip questioned the Ethiopian before baptizing him.


  1. Who should be baptized in water?

Acts 8:12, 35-39; 10:44-47; 16:32-34; 18:8; 19:4-5

Mark 16:16


Most scriptures that speak of people being baptized, the ones being baptized “believed” on the Lord Jesus Christ. Some people claim that since Acts 16:33 indicates that all that were of the house of the jailer were baptized that infants ought to be baptized as well. But notice that Acts 16:34 indicates that everyone in the house believed. Since the entire house was baptized and the entire house believed it would follow that there were no infants or very young children in the house. The only people in the house were old enough to believe the Gospel and when they believed, they were baptized.