Water Baptism

Baptism

Old Testament

The Old Testament never uses the word baptism (that’s a Greek term that appears in the New Testament), but it contains passages and practices that later Christians and Jews connected with baptismal themes: washing, purification, covenant renewal, and symbolic passage through water. Here are the main ones often cited:

1. Ritual Washings and Purification

Leviticus 14–15 – Priests prescribe ceremonial washings with water for purification after defilement, disease, or bodily discharges.

Numbers 19 – Purification with water mixed with the ashes of a red heifer for those defiled by death.

These passages show the idea of washing with water as a cleansing act before God, which anticipates baptism’s symbolism.

2. Water as Deliverance and Covenant

Genesis 6–9 (Noah’s Flood) – The flood destroys sin but saves Noah’s family through water (later tied to baptism in 1 Peter 3:20–21).

Exodus 14 (Crossing the Red Sea) – Israel passes through the waters out of slavery into covenant freedom. Paul explicitly links this to baptism in 1 Corinthians 10:1–2.

Joshua 3–4 (Crossing the Jordan) – Israel enters the Promised Land by passing through the waters of the Jordan, echoing entry into new life.

3. Prophetic Images of Cleansing

Ezekiel 36:25–27 – “I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean… I will give you a new heart and a new spirit.”

Resurrection by the Spirit - Ezekiel 37:1-28

v14: resurrection by the Spirit

v26: covenant of peace

Isaiah 1:16–18 – “Wash yourselves; make yourselves clean… though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow.”

Zechariah 13:1 – “On that day a fountain shall be opened… to cleanse them from sin and uncleanness.”

Naaman, the Syrian, and the prophet Elisha

2 Kings 5:1-14

Psalm 51:2, 7 – David prays, “Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity… Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean.”

Jonah 1–2 – Jonah descends into the depths of the sea and emerges alive on the third day, a pattern later tied to baptism and resurrection.

Conclusion

The Old Testament connects water with forgiveness, renewal, and God’s Spirit, a direct precursors to Christian baptismal theology. While the Old Testament doesn’t mention baptism directly, it provides the imagery: of Ritual washings for purity, deliverance through water (Flood, Red Sea, Jordan), prophetic promises of cleansing and renewal by water and Spirit.These become the foundation for New Testament baptism.

Water Baptism in the New Testament

John the Baptist

John the Baptist is the key figure who introduces baptism in the New Testament as a public practice.

1. Where John’s Baptism Appears

Matthew 3:1–12 – John preaches in the wilderness, calling people to repentance and baptizing them in the Jordan River.

Mark 1:1–8 – John proclaims a “baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins,” preparing the way for the one greater than him.

Luke 3:1–20 – Similar to Matthew and Mark, but with more detail about John’s preaching on justice, generosity, and repentance.

John 1:19–34; 3:22–30 – John denies being the Messiah but identifies himself as the one preparing the way. He baptizes and testifies that Jesus is the “Lamb of God.”

Acts 19:1–7 – Paul meets disciples in Ephesus who only knew John’s baptism and explains that John’s baptism was preparatory, pointing to Jesus.

2. What John’s Baptism Meant

Repentance: It was an outward sign of turning away from sin (Mark 1:4).

Forgiveness: It symbolized being washed clean and forgiven by God.

Preparation for the Messiah: John said his baptism was only with water, but the one to come (Jesus) would baptize with the Holy Spirit and fire (Matthew 3:11).

3. How It Connected to the Old Testament

John’s baptism built on the ritual washings in the Law (Leviticus, Numbers), the Jordan crossing (Joshua 3), since John baptizes in the Jordan where Israel first entered the Promised Land and

Prophetic cleansing (Ezekiel 36, Isaiah 1, Zechariah 13). John’s baptism was a baptism of repentance, a symbolic cleansing and preparation for God’s kingdom. It pointed forward to Jesus’ greater baptism with the Holy Spirit and fire.

Baptism with Jesus

Baptism with Jesus is central to the New Testament story, and it both connects to John’s baptism and goes beyond it.

1. Jesus’ Own Baptism

Matthew 3:13–17; Mark 1:9–11; Luke 3:21–22Jesus is baptized by John in the Jordan.

The heavens open, the Spirit descends like a dove, and the Father declares: “This is my beloved Son.”

This marks the beginning of Jesus’ public ministry.

John 1:29–34John testifies that he saw the Spirit rest on Jesus, confirming Him as the Lamb of God.

Even though Jesus had no sin to repent of, His baptism identified Him with sinners, revealed Him publicly as Messiah, showed the Trinity (Father, Son, Spirit) together.

2. Jesus’ Teaching on Baptism

John 3:3–5 – Jesus tells Nicodemus, “Unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.”

John 4:1–2 – Jesus’ disciples baptize, though He Himself does not.

Matthew 28:19–20 (The Great Commission) – After His resurrection, Jesus commands:“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”

3. What Jesus’ Baptism Means for Believers

Union with His Death and Resurrection

Romans 6:3–4 – Baptism signifies being buried with Christ and raised to new life.

Colossians 2:12 – Baptism is participation in Christ’s death and resurrection.

Forgiveness and the Holy Spirit

Acts 2:38 – Peter preaches, “Repent and be baptized… for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”

Incorporation into the Body of Christ

1 Corinthians 12:13 – Through baptism, believers are brought into one body by the Spirit.

Conclusion

Jesus Himself was baptized to identify with humanity and reveal His mission.

He taught about baptism as part of new birth and commanded His followers to baptize.

Christian baptism (different from John’s) does not just symbolize repentance, but union with Christ’s death and resurrection, forgiveness of sins, receiving the Spirit, and entry into God’s family.

The Apostle Paul

Based on John the Baptist (repentance) and even Jesus’ baptism (His identity and mission), Paul focuses on the theological meaning of baptism for the believer.

1. Baptism as Union with Christ

Romans 6:3–4 – “Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried with him… in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead, we too might walk in newness of life.”

Galatians 3:27 – “As many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.”

Colossians 2:12 – In baptism, believers are “buried with him” and “raised with him through faith.”

Paul sees baptism as participation in Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection.

2. Baptism and Forgiveness of Sins

Acts 22:16 (Paul recounts Ananias’ words at his own conversion): “Rise and be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on his name.”

Baptism symbolizes washing away sin through calling on Jesus.

3. Baptism and the Holy Spirit / the Church

1 Corinthians 12:13 – “In one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, Jews or Greeks, slaves or free, and all were made to drink of one Spirit.”

Baptism brings believers into the body of Christ and is tied to the Spirit’s work of uniting them.

4. Not About the Ritual Itself

Paul sometimes downplays who physically baptizes people, because the meaning lies not in the ritual but in Christ:

1 Corinthians 1:13–17 – Paul says Christ did not send him to baptize, but to preach the gospel, emphasizing that baptism points to Christ, not to the baptizer.

ConclusionFor Paul, baptism is Dying and rising with Christ (new identity), Washing away sins through faith, entry into the Spirit-filled body of Christ, a sign, not of the baptizer’s authority, but of Christ’s saving work.

The Book of Acts (practice of the early church)

Acts is where we see baptism in action:

Acts 2:38–41 – Pentecost: Peter says, “Repent and be baptized… for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” About 3,000 were baptized that day.

Acts 8:12–13 – Samaritans and even Simon the magician are baptized after believing Philip’s preaching.

Acts 8:36–39 – The Ethiopian eunuch asks to be baptized immediately after hearing the gospel.

Acts 9:18 – Saul (Paul) is baptized after meeting Jesus.

Acts 10:44–48 – Cornelius and Gentiles receive the Holy Spirit, then are baptized.

Acts 16:14–15 – Lydia and her household are baptized.

Acts 16:30–33 – The Philippian jailer and his household are baptized at night after believing.

Acts 19:1–7 – Paul baptizes disciples in Ephesus “into the name of the Lord Jesus,” distinguishing Christian baptism from John’s baptism.

In Acts, baptism is consistently the immediate response to faith in Jesus.

General Epistles

1 Peter 3:20–21 – Compares baptism to Noah’s flood: “Baptism… now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.”

Hebrews 10:22 – Encourages believers to draw near to God, “having our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.”

Hebrews 6:1–2 – Lists “instruction about washings/baptisms” as part of the elementary teachings of Christ.

The Gospels beyond John’s role

John 3:22–23; 4:1–2 – Jesus’ disciples baptize during His ministry.

Matthew 28:19–20 – Jesus commands baptism in the Great Commission (“in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit”).

Mark 16:16 (longer ending of Mark) – “Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved.”

The Book of Revelation (symbolic echoes)

Revelation 7:14 – The saints have “washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.”

Revelation 22:17 – The invitation to come and “take the water of life freely.”(Not literal baptism, but imagery consistent with baptismal washing and life through Christ.)

Conclusion

Acts: baptism is the normal response to faith in Jesus, always tied to forgiveness, the Spirit, and incorporation into the church.

General Epistles: baptism is seen theologically as cleansing, saving, and tied to conscience and resurrection.

Revelation: baptismal imagery appears in visions of cleansing and life.

Water baptism is not a means of salvation. There is no spiritual power in physical water. Water baptism is a symbolic act that signifies God’s forgiveness of sins and our union with God in Jesus Christ by the Holy Spirit.

The Holy Spirit uses the event of water baptism, which helps the believer with the right attitude to experience a personal encounter and to make a firm, life-long decision to follow Christ by the power of the Spirit.

Comprehensive list of baptism passages in the New Testament 

The Gospels

Matthew 3:1–17 – John’s baptism & Jesus’ baptism

Matthew 28:19–20 – The Great Commission

Mark 1:4–11 – John’s baptism & Jesus’ baptism

Mark 16:16 – Belief and baptism (longer ending)

Luke 3:3–22 – John’s baptism & Jesus’ baptism

John 1:25–34 – John’s testimony, baptism, Spirit descending

John 3:22–23 – Jesus and disciples baptize

John 4:1–2 – Jesus’ disciples baptize

Acts of the Apostles

Acts 2:38–41 – Pentecost, 3,000 baptized

Acts 8:12–13 – Samaritans baptized

Acts 8:36–39 – Ethiopian eunuch baptized

Acts 9:18 – Saul (Paul) baptized

Acts 10:44–48 – Cornelius and Gentiles baptized

Acts 16:14–15 – Lydia and her household baptized

Acts 16:30–33 – Philippian jailer and household baptized

Acts 18:8 – Crispus, his household, and many Corinthians baptized

Acts 19:1–7 – Disciples in Ephesus re-baptized in Jesus’ name

Acts 22:16 – Paul recounts his baptism

Paul’s Letters

Romans 6:3–4 – Baptized into Christ’s death and resurrection

1 Corinthians 1:13–17 – Paul on baptizing vs. preaching

1 Corinthians 10:1–2 – Israel’s crossing as “baptism” into Moses

1 Corinthians 12:13 – Baptized into one body by the Spirit

Galatians 3:27 – Baptized into Christ, clothed with Christ

Ephesians 4:5 – “One Lord, one faith, one baptism”

Colossians 2:12 – Buried and raised with Christ in baptism

General Epistles

Hebrews 6:1–2 – Instruction about washings/baptisms

Hebrews 10:22 – Bodies washed with pure water

1 Peter 3:20–21 – Baptism as appeal to God, linked to Noah

Revelation

Revelation 7:14 – Robes washed white in the blood of the Lamb

Revelation 22:17 – Invitation to the water of life