ONE BAPTISM, MANY WAYS

If a handful of Christians (1) from various religious denominations were asked for their respective definition of Baptism, there would assuredly be conflicting opinions offered. New Believers (2) of Jesus Christ (3) might be confused by the suggestion that there is not a unified approach to Baptism. This must be blasphemy! After all, the Believer thinks, don't we all read the same Holy Bible (4)? Or, aren't the teachings the same in our different Bibles? And, if so, what does the Bible say about Baptism?

Before all else, let us establish what the biblical definition of Baptism is. Wait! Which one? The water baptism or the baptism of the Holy Spirit (5)? Hold on! Aren't they one and the same or…are they different? How about infant baptism? Where or how does that fit in with the biblical definition?

Offered herein are Bible based reflections, Baptism-related Bible verses (listed canonically) and external resources related to the topic.

BAPTISM DEFINED

The Apostle Peter (6) offers what may be the clearest biblical definition recorded in the Bible: "Baptism . . . is the pledge of a clear conscience toward God (7)" (1 Peter 3:20-22).

OLD TESTAMENT

In multiple Old Testament (8) instances, God speaks of pouring out His Spirit (Isaiah 44:1-5; Joel 2:28-29; Zechariah 12:10). The Law (9) offers insight about the Twelve Tribes of Israel (10) using water as a form of ceremonial consecration, purification and cleansing (Exodus 19:10-11; Leviticus 8:6-9, Leviticus 14:8-9). Another OT covenantal (11) rite with God was male circumcision (Genesis 17:10, 14).

NEW TESTAMENT

The New Testament (12) opens with a fiery itinerant preacher, John the Baptist (13), coming onto the scene. The 3 synoptic Gospels (14) of Matthew (15), Mark (16) and Luke (17) tell us about the last of the OT Prophets (18), who was preparing the way (Isaiah 40:3, Matthew 3:2) for his cousin (Luke 1:36), Jesus, by preaching a baptism of repentance (19) for the forgiveness (20) of sins (21). By receiving John's baptism, a Believer was making a public pledge to turn away from sin while preparing their hearts to receive and follow the One who was to come (Acts 19:4).

John warned the hardened hearted religious leaders of the day - the Pharisees and Sadducees (22) - that he was only baptizing with water for repentance, but the One who was coming after him would baptize with the Holy Spirit and fire (Matthew 3:1-12, Mark 1:1-8, Luke 3:1-20).

In Colossians 3:11, the Apostle Paul (23) makes clear that the new and everlasting covenant through Christ Jesus (1 Corinthians 11:25) abolishes the former covenant of circumcision (see also Romans 2:25-29; 1 Corinthians 7:19; Galatians 3:1-29).

While preaching to the Church at Corinth (24), Paul warns the Believers about their ancestors in that they were "all baptized into Moses (25) in the cloud and in the sea," but many still set their hearts on evil things (1 Corinthians 10).

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN TO US?

Two thousand years ago, Jesus began His Ministry (26) by being baptized (27) (Matthew 3:13-17; Mark 1:9-11; Luke 3:21-22; John 1:29-34). His final command before He ascended (28) into Heaven was for us to baptize and teach (Matthew 28:19-20; Mark 16:16), and this was definitely water baptism (Acts 8:36-39; Acts 10:46-48).

Present day, when we are baptized, we are acknowledging belief in Christ's Crucifixion (29), burial and Resurrection (30), and that He did so for our sins. Our old self then dies when we begin a new life in Christ Jesus (Romans 6:1–11). We are, for all intents and purposes, resurrected ourselves when we are baptized.

The Bible says there is one baptism (Ephesians 4:4-6). But the Word (31) also calls us to receive the Holy Spirit in baptism (1 Corinthians 12:13; Acts 2:38-39; Galatians 3:27, Galatians 4:6). In John 3:1-8, Jesus tells  Nicodemus (32) that being born again was a requirement to see the Kingdom of God (33). We are infused with the Holy Spirit (2 Corinthians 5:17–21).

The Bible tells us that, if we are a Believer in Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit dwells within us (Romans 8:9; Ephesians 1:13-14). It is incumbent upon us as Christ's Ambassadors to actively tap into that Spirit, unleash it and utilize it as He commanded.  Let us wholly celebrate our Baptism by worshiping and praising Christ for saving us at Calvary (34) and opening the gates of Heaven! Amen!

RELATED BIBLE VERSES

Matthew 21:24-26, Matthew 28:18-20, Mark 10:37-39, Mark 11:29-31, Mark 16:15-16, Luke 3:3, 7, 12, Luke 3:16, Luke 7:28-30, Luke 12:49-51, Luke 20:3-5, John 1:24-26, John 3:5, John 3:23, John 4:1-2, Acts 1:5, Acts 1:21-23, Acts 2:1-47, Acts 8:1-40, Acts 9:17-19, Acts 10:36-38, Acts 10:44-48, Acts 11:15-16, Acts 13:24, Acts 16:1-40, Acts 18:8, Acts 18:24-26, Acts 19:1-6, Acts 22:12-16. Romans 6:1-23, 1 Corinthians 1:13-17, 1 Corinthians 10:1-2, 1 Corinthians 12:1-31, 1 Corinthians 15:29, Galatians 3:27, Ephesians 4:4-6, Ephesians 4:20-24, Ephesians 5:25-27, Colossians 2:11-14, Colossians 3:5-11, 1 Peter 1:3, 1 Peter 3:1-22, Titus 3:3-8, Hebrews 6:1-3.

+  +  +  +  +  +  +  +  +

Footnotes and External Resources appear below. Consider printing and sharing the offered PDF narrative and other listed resources with family, friends and strangers alike for use in Bible Studies (35), Home/Church Faith Sharing Groups (36), Discipleship Encounters and/or Personal Faith Enrichment!

+  +  +  +  +  +  +  +  +

Modifications are welcome at goodnews@marionmannaproject.com.

FOOTNOTES

  (1) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/christianity

  (2) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/discipleship

  (3) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/jesus-christ

  (4) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/the-good-news

  (5) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/the-holy-spirit

  (6) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/apostle-peter

  (7) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/god-of-the-bible

  (8) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/old-testament

  (9) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/the-law

(10) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/twelve-tribes-of-israel

(11) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/covenants

(12) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/new-testament

(13) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/the-benchmark-of-greatness

(14) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/the-four-gospels

(15) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/matthew

(16) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/mark

(17) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/luke

(18) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/prophets-of-the-bible

(19) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/repentance

(20) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/forgiveness

(21) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/sin

(22) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/sanhedrin

(23) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/ambassador-in-chains

(24) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/Corinth

(25) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/moses

(26) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/ministry-of-jesus

(27) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/baptism-of-jesus

(28) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/the-ascension

(29) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/crucifixion-of-christ

(30) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/resurrection-of-jesus

(31) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/the-word-of-the-lord

(32) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/Nicodemus

(33) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/heaven-and-earth

(34) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/calvary

(35) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/bible-studies

(36) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/christian-education

EXTERNAL RESOURCE LINKS

(a) https://www.thebibleproject.com/podcast/i-am-who-i-am-part-10-born-spirit/

(b) https://www.gotquestions.blog/biblical-baptism.html

(c) https://www.gotquestions.org/infant-baptism.html

(d) https://www.gotquestions.org/baptism-1Peter-3-21.html

(e) https://www.gotquestions.org/baptism-of-John.html