Baptism

(Scriptures to explore along the way)

 

 
Matthew 3:1-17

  

  

  

  

  
  
- John baptizes Jesus.
         (see parallels in Mark 1:1-11, Luke 3:1-22, also John 1:19-34, esp. 32-34)

      (some online study tools for these texts are available at:
            Matthew 3:1-12,  Matthew 3:13-17,  Mark 1:1-8,  Mark 1:4-11,
            Luke 3:1-6,  Luke 3:7-18,  Luke 3:15-22,  John 1:29-42)

Remember the Wider Picture
(Read this story within the context and flow of the larger narrative: Jesus' birth, baptism, and temptation; the calling of his disciples, his teaching/healing; the time of confrontation in Jerusalem, the upper room, his arrest, trial, crucifixion, and resurrection; then the commissioning/sending of his disciples, and the formation, empowering, and continuing work of the church.)

John 4:1-4
- Jesus did not baptize with water, though his disciples did.
Matthew 28:16-20

  

  
- The "Great Commission" of Jesus in which he instructed his disciples, when making disciples of others, to "baptize them in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit." (read within context of the resurrection, 28:1-20)

      (some online study tools for this text are available at: Matthew 28:16-20)
Acts 2

  

  

  

  

  

- The Birth of the Church - baptism in the Holy Spirit, empowered for a purpose
  v. 1-13 - The empowering of the disciples, both in private when they were "all together in one place" (2:1-4), and in public when they boldly spoke with words that foreign outsiders understood (2:5-13).
v. 14-36 - Peter’s sermon, in response to the reaction of these outsiders, who either scoffed that these believers were drunk, or asked "what does this mean?"
v. 37 - Many then asked in response: "what shall we do?"
v. 38-42 - Peter's answer, "repent and be baptized..." and what then happened.
      (some online study tools for this text are available at:
                Acts 2:1-21, Acts 2:14-41)
Acts 8:26-39
  
- The baptism of the Ethiopian eunich.
      (some online study tools for this text are available at: Acts 8:26-40)
Acts   9:17-18,
        22:12-16
- Paul’s baptism (two accounts, the latter in his own words, later)
      (some online study tools for this text are available at: Acts 9:1-20)
Acts 10:44-48

  
- The first time Gentiles (non-Jews) were baptized. God’s circle is expanding. Of course, Peter didn't arrive at this point of accepting outsiders easily (see 10:1-43), and neither did the church in Jerusalem (see 11:1-18).
     (some online study tools for this text are available at: Acts 10:44-48)
Other key baptisms:
   		 - Acts 8:9-13
  
- The baptism of a Samaritan, Simon, a magician (of course, read 8:14-24 also, for he had a lot still to learn).
  - Acts 16:14-15
  
  
- The baptism of Lydia in Philippi (note "and her household")
      (some online study tools for this text are available at:
             Acts 16:9-15)
- Acts 18:7-8

  
- The baptism of Crispus in Corinth 
                  (and Gaius - see 1 Corinthians 1:14)
         (note "with all his household")
      Please note, in every instance (unless one stretches the "household" element far beyond its elasticity) those baptized are adults, not infants. It is a conscious response to the good news on the part of the person(s) being baptized.
Romans 6:1-11

  
- According to Paul, we are "baptized into his (Christ Jesus) death,"  "buried with him in death ... that we may walk with him in newness of life."
          (some online study tools for this text are available at: Romans 6:1-11)
1 Corinthians 1:12-17

  
  
- Furthermore, we are baptized in the name of Jesus. The focus is upon our unity in Christ (see also 12:12-13), not a particular "group" centered around the one who performed the baptism.
        (some online study tools for this text are available at:
              1 Corinthians 1:10-18, 1 Corinthians 12:3-13)
Colossians 2:8-14
  
- More on baptism as being buried with Christ, and thus also raised with him (v.12).
        (some online study tools for this text are available at: Colossians 2:6-19)
Titus 3:1-8

  
  
- Baptism as rebirth, renewal, cleansing. Questions to ponder: Where does the "water/washing" leave off, and the "Holy Spirit" take up? Are these necessarily separate steps along the way, i.e. water baptism then Spirit baptism, or justification then sanctification? They seem intimately tied together, though we may experience them as different.
        (some online study tools for this text are available at: Titus 3:4-7)
Hebrews 6:1-12

  

  
  

- Regardless, we are to move beyond the essentials toward maturity in Christ.
        (some online study tools for this text are available at: Hebrews 5:12 - 6:12)
  v. 1-3 - Baptism is a beginning, not an ending!
v. 4-8 - Hold onto the faith! (for it is possible to turn away).
v. 9-12 - Live in confident hope. Be encouraged.

Return to Didache page