Baptism Is...

by Bryan Gibson, adapted from an article by Brian Sullivan

August 15, 2008

Baptism is a burial…

“Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death...” (Romans 6:4).

“Buried with Him in baptism...” (Colossians 2:12).

Baptism is a burial in water…

“They came to some water. And the eunuch said, ‘See, here is water; what hinders me from being baptized?’…So he commanded the chariot to stand still. And both...went down into the water...”(Acts 8:35-36, 38).

“‘Can anyone forbid water, that these should not be baptized’...And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord” (Acts 10:47-48).

Baptism is a burial in water in the name of Christ…

“Go...and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 28:19).

“Then Peter said to them, ‘Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins’” (Acts 2:38).

“And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord” (Acts 10:48).

“They were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus” (Acts 19:5).

Baptism is a burial in water in the name of Christ for the remission of sins…

“This is My blood...shed for many for the remission of sins” (Matthew 26:28).

“Then Peter said unto them, ‘Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins’” (Acts 2:38).

“Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins” (Acts 22:16).

“He who believes and is baptized will be saved” (Mark 16:16).

Baptism is a burial in water in the name of Christ for the remission of sins of men and women...

“But when they believed Philip as he preached the things concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, both men and women were baptized” (Acts 8:12).

Note: It is for those who are mature enough to understand and comply with the conditions stated in the following points.

Baptism is a burial in water in the name of Christ for the remission of sins of men and women who have believed, repented, and confessed their faith in Christ as the Son of God…

“Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly (believe—BG), that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ. 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 to them, ‘Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit’” (Acts 2:36-38).

“Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning at this scripture, preached Jesus to him. Now as they went down the road, they came to some water. And the eunuch said, ‘See, here is water; what hinders me from being baptized?’ And Philip said, ‘If you believe with all your heart, you may.’ And he answered and said, ‘I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God’” (Acts 8:35-37).

“But what does it say? The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart (that is, the word of faith, which we preach): that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation” (Romans 10:8-10).

Baptism is a burial in water in the name of Christ for the remission of sins of men and women who have believed, repented, and confessed their faith in Christ as the Son of God, and who are prepared to live faithfully before God.

“Then those who gladly received his word were baptized...And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers” (Acts 2:41-42).

“And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number believed and turned to the Lord...Barnabas...encouraged them all that with purpose of heart they should continue with the Lord” (Acts 11:21-23).

“And when they had preached the gospel to that city and made many disciples, they returned to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch, strengthening the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and saying, we must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God” (Acts 14:21-22).

“Therefore we were buried with him through baptism into death, that just 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).