Bible Verses About Baptism

“At that time Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. But John tried to prevent Him, saying, “I need to be baptized by You, and do You come to me?” “Let it be so now,” Jesus replied. “It is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness in this way.” Then John permitted Him. As soon as Jesus was baptized, He went up out of the water. Suddenly the heavens were opened, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and resting on Him. And a voice from heaven said, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased!””

Jesus comes to John at the Jordan to be baptized. The Spirit descends and the Father speaks, so all three persons of God are present at the scene.

“Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, even to the end of the age.””

The risen Jesus sends his followers to make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son and Spirit. Baptism is bound to discipleship from the start.

“Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit.”

Jesus speaks to Nicodemus about being born of water and Spirit. Christians disagree about whether the water here points to baptism, to natural birth or to cleansing, but all agree the Spirit gives new life.

“When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and asked Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. This promise belongs to you and your children and to all who are far off—to all whom the Lord our God will call to Himself.” With many other words he testified, and he urged them, “Be saved from this corrupt generation.” Those who embraced his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to the believers that day.”

On the day of Pentecost, listeners ask what to do, and Peter calls them to repent and be baptized. About three thousand are added that day.

“As they traveled along the road and came to some water, the eunuch said, “Look, here is water! What is there to prevent me from being baptized?” And he gave orders to stop the chariot. Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water, and Philip baptized him. When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord carried Philip away, and the eunuch saw him no more, but went on his way rejoicing.”

An Ethiopian official sees water beside the road and asks what prevents him from being baptized. Philip baptizes him on the spot, and he goes on his way rejoicing.

“While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all who heard his message. All the circumcised believers who had accompanied Peter were astounded that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles. For they heard them speaking in tongues and exalting God. Then Peter said, “Can anyone withhold the water to baptize these people? They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have!” So he ordered that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to stay for a few days.”

The Spirit falls on Cornelius's household while Peter is still speaking, and Peter orders them baptized. The Spirit's gift and the water appear together, though here the Spirit comes first.

“Calling for lights, the jailer rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas. Then he brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved, you and your household.” Then Paul and Silas spoke the word of the Lord to him and to everyone in his house. At that hour of the night, the jailer took them and washed their wounds. And without delay, he and all his household were baptized. Then he brought them into his home and set a meal before them. So he and all his household rejoiced that they had come to believe in God.”

A jailer in Philippi asks how to be saved, and he and his household are baptized that same night. Some traditions see in this a pattern for baptizing whole families, while others stress that each person hears and believes.

“Or aren’t you aware that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? We were therefore buried with Him through baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may walk in newness of life.”

Paul pictures baptism as sharing in Christ's death and burial, so that we may also walk in new life. The water tells a story of dying and rising.

“You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.”

Those baptized into Christ are said to be clothed with Christ. Baptism marks belonging to him, as children of God through faith.

“In Him you were also circumcised, in the putting off of your sinful nature, with the circumcision performed by Christ and not by human hands. And having been buried with Him in baptism, you were raised with Him through your faith in the power of God, who raised Him from the dead.”

Paul connects baptism with a spiritual circumcision and with being raised through faith in God's power. Some Christians draw on this link when they baptize infants, as a sign that parallels the covenant sign given to Israel.

“And this water symbolizes the baptism that now saves you also—not the removal of dirt from the body, but the pledge of a clear conscience toward God—through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,”

Peter says baptism now saves you, and then clarifies that it is not about removing dirt from the body but an appeal to God for a clean conscience. The emphasis falls on what God does through the resurrection of Christ.

“For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free, and we were all given one Spirit to drink.”

By one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whatever our background. Baptism joins us to a people, not only to a private faith.

“But when the kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind appeared, He saved us, not by the righteous deeds we had done, but according to His mercy, through the washing of new birth and renewal by the Holy Spirit. This is the Spirit He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by His grace, we would become heirs with the hope of eternal life.”

Paul speaks of God saving us through the washing of new birth and renewal by the Holy Spirit. Salvation is described as coming from God's mercy, not from anything we have done.