What does the New Testament teach about baptism? The Holy Spirit begins in the Gospels where the disciples were commanded 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…” (Mt. 28:19). Baptism is included in the commission to worldwide evangelism. Let’s call this exhortation to baptism.
The next time we meet baptism is in the Acts, where it appears at least five times. In Acts 2:38, Peter calls for the Jews to be baptized “for the remission of sins.” Then in Acts 8:14-17, the Samaritans are said to have been baptized but were waiting to receive the Spirit. In Acts 8:36-39, there is the baptism of the eunuch. In Acts 10:44-48 we see Gentiles being baptized. And in Acts 19:1-7, there is the case of the disciples of John being baptized or, more specifically, rebaptized. At first this may appear confusing because the order of faith, receiving the Holy Spirit, and water baptism are different. On further consideration, however, we see significant distinctions and an observable pattern emerges.
William MacDonald states it concisely: “Does this mean there were four ways of salvation in the Book of Acts? (Writer’s note: We might also ask, “Does this mean there are four baptisms?”) Of course not. Salvation was, is, and always will be on the basis of faith in the Lord. But during the transition period recorded in Acts, God chose to vary the events connected with the reception of the Holy Spirit for reasons which He knew but did not choose to reveal to us. Then which of these patterns applies to us today? Since Israel nationally has rejected the Messiah, the Jewish people have forfeited any special privileges they might have had. Today God is calling out of the Gentiles a people for His Name (Acts 15:14). Therefore, the order for today is that which is found in Acts 10: Faith. Reception of the Holy Spirit. Water baptism. We believe this order applies to all today, to Jews as well as to Gentiles.”
In Acts, therefore, we have the order of baptism–it follows salvation. In addition we learn how people were baptized through the account of the conversion and baptism of the Ethiopian eunuch–baptism is by immersion.
The account of Philip and the new believer going down into the water was no mere incidental remark. It is clear infants were not baptized since baptism is a conscious act of obedience. Thus in the Acts is the example of baptism.
The next major section on baptism is in Paul’s letter to the Romans. Here we learn the meaning of baptism. We could call this the exposition of baptism. Romans 6 shows that baptism is a symbolic act, the outward demonstration of what took place in our lives when we were saved. No one could actually see what happened when we trusted the Lord. But they can see our baptism. Paul explains the similarity. In a baptism we go into the water, under the water and come up out of the water. We learn from verses 4-6 that at conversion we died (went into the water), were buried (went under the water), were resurrected (came up out of the water). We are a new person (see 2 Cor. 5:17). Baptism demonstrates to others what took place in our lives. Romans 6 further teaches that we are called to a life of obedience and yielding to the Lord and His Word.
Baptism does not exempt us from the practical life of holiness that should be evident in new creatures. But it is the first step in the life of those who want to please the Lord.
Peter contributes a helpful observation about baptism. He points out in 1 Peter 3:21 that baptism is “the answer of a good conscience toward God,” and is not part of our salvation.
What about you? Have you been baptized? If not, why not? You do not have to know everything about baptism to be baptized. All of us are ever learning. The issue is, do you want to obey? If so, call an elder right now and tell him you want to be baptized. It will make his day. It will make your eternity.