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Baptism is…

When considering the topic of Christian baptism, it is important to note that we do not learn everything about it and what its significance is from any single context.  To gain a thorough understanding we must consider all of what the inspired writers taught about baptism and put it all together into a single doctrinal teaching and then apply it correctly to our lives.  All scripture references are from the KJV unless otherwise noted. 

Baptism is commanded:
"Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost" (Matthew 28:19).  And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord" (Acts 10:48).

Baptism is urgent:
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?" (Acts 8:36).  And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord" (Acts 22:16).

Baptism is accompanied by belief and confession of Jesus as the Son of God:
"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 8:37).

Baptism is in the name of Jesus:
"Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost" (Acts 2:38).  "When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus" (Acts 19:5).

Baptism is in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost:
"Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost" (Matthew 28:19).

Baptism is a Burial with Jesus Christ:
"Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead (Colossians 2:12).  Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life" (Romans 6:4).

Baptism is a resurrection with Christ from death:
"Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life" (Romans 6:4).  "If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God" (Colossians 3:1), "...wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead" (Colossians 2:12).

Baptism is how we put on Christ:
"For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ" (Galatians 3:27).

Baptism is the way into Christ:
"Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?"  (Romans 6:3). "For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ" (Galatians 3:27).

Baptism is for the remission of sins:
"Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost" (Acts 2:38).  "And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord" (Acts 22:16).

Baptism is when we are justified from sin:
"We were buried therefore with him through baptism unto death: that like as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we also might walk in newness of life.  For if we have become united with (him) in the likeness of his death, we shall be also (in the likeness) of his resurrection;  knowing this, that our old man was crucified with (him), that the body of sin might be done away, that so we should no longer be in bondage to sin; for he that hath died is justified from sin." (Romans 6:4-7)  (ASV)  

Baptism is a washing:
"be baptized, and wash away thy sins" (Acts 22:16).  Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water" (Hebrews 10:22). Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost (Titus 3:5).

Baptism saves us:
"He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned (Mark 16:16).  "And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation.  Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls" (Acts 2:40-41).  "The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us..." (1 Peter 3:21).

Baptism is a request for a clean conscience:
"And corresponding to that, baptism now saves you — not the removal of dirt from the flesh, but an appeal to God for a good conscience — through the resurrection of Jesus Christ" (1 Peter 3:21-22). NASB

Baptism is “calling on the name of the Lord.”
"And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord" (Acts 22:16).

Baptism is how we crucify our old selves:
"Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin" (Romans 6:6)

Baptism frees us from sin:
"For he that is dead is freed from sin" (Romans 6:7)  "Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof" (Romans 6:11-12).

Baptism is an operation of God:
"Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead" (Colossians 2:12).

Baptism is when we contact Jesus' death:
"Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death" (Romans 6:3).

Baptism is when we start in newness of life (Reborn).
"Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life" (Romans 6:4).

Baptism is a requirement to enter the Kingdom of God:
"Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God" (John 3:5).

Baptism is a submission to God's will:
Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?" (Acts 2:37).  "Then he called for a light, and sprang in, and came trembling, and fell down before Paul and Silas, And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" (Acts 16:29-30).

Baptism is done before one is added to the Lord's church:
"Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls" (Acts 2:41). "Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved" (Acts 2:47).

Baptism is an immersion in water:
"And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.  And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing" (Acts 8:38-39). "Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?"  (Acts 10:47).

There is only one Baptism:
"One Lord, one faith, one baptism" (Ephesians 4:5). 

Just before Jesus ascended back to Heaven he commanded the disciples to "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost" (Matthew 28:19).  This is the baptism in water that can be administered by man to one another.  This is the baptism commanded by God to be administered to all people on earth.  This is the baptism that can be submitted to.  No other baptism symbolizes the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus, no other baptism is the fulfillment of a command that man can obey.   No other baptism can be the "one baptism" we submit to today. 

Acts 2:37-39
Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?  Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.  For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.