Baptism is an important rite in Christianity that symbolizes the washing away of sins and the commitment to follow Christ. Here are some key Bible verses about baptism from the English Standard Version (ESV):
Matthew 3:13-17 – Jesus is baptized
Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John, to be baptized by him. John would have prevented him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” But Jesus answered him, “Let it be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he consented. And when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him; and behold, a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.”
This passage describes Jesus being baptized by John the Baptist in the Jordan River. God affirms Jesus as His Son, showing the importance of baptism.
Acts 2:38 – Repent and be baptized
And Peter said to them, “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.”
In his sermon at Pentecost, Peter connects baptism to repentance and forgiveness of sins through Jesus Christ. He urges people to repent and be baptized.
Romans 6:3-4 – Baptized into Christ’s death
Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.
Paul explains that in baptism, believers are unified with Christ in His death and resurrection. This represents the old self dying to sin and being raised to walk in new life.
Galatians 3:27 – Baptized into Christ
For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
Paul states that those baptized into Christ have put on Christ, or taken on His identity. Baptism unites us to Christ.
Colossians 2:11-12 – Circumcised with Christ in baptism
In him also you were circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead.
Here Paul connects baptism to circumcision, saying baptism is the new sign of the covenant for believers in Christ. He echoes the ideas of dying to sin and being raised with Christ.
1 Peter 3:21 – Baptism saves through the resurrection
Baptism, which corresponds to this, 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.
Peter is clear that baptism does not simply wash away dirt from the body, but rather is an appeal to God through faith in the resurrection of Christ for cleansing from sin and a good conscience before God.
Mark 16:16 – Believe and be baptized
Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.
In his great commission to the disciples, Jesus connects believing in Him to baptism for salvation. Baptism follows belief in Christ.
Acts 8:12-13 – Believed and were baptized
But when they believed Philip as he preached good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. Even Simon himself believed, and after being baptized he continued with Philip.
This passage describes those who believed the preaching of Philip also being baptized as a natural response to belief in Christ, including Simon the magician. True faith leads to baptism.
Acts 8:36-38 – What prevents me from being baptized?
And as they were going along the road they came to some water, and the eunuch said, “See, here is water! What prevents me from being baptized?” And he commanded the chariot to stop, and they both went down into the water, Philip and the eunuch, and he baptized him.
The Ethiopian eunuch asks Philip what prevents him from being baptized after coming to faith in Christ. Philip then baptizes him in the nearest body of water.
Acts 16:14-15 – Household baptized
One who heard us was a woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyatira, a seller of purple goods, who was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to pay attention to what was said by Paul. And after she was baptized, and her household as well, she urged us, saying, “If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come to my house and stay.” And she prevailed upon us.
Lydia and her whole household were baptized after she believed Paul’s message about Jesus. Baptism extended to families who believed.
Acts 16:31-33 – Believe and be baptized
And they said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.” And they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house. And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their wounds; and he was baptized at once, he and all his family.
The Philippian jailer was told to believe in Jesus for salvation for himself and his family. He and his whole family were then immediately baptized.
Acts 18:8 – Corinthians who heard believed and were baptized
Crispus, the ruler of the synagogue, believed in the Lord, together with his entire household. And many of the Corinthians hearing Paul believed and were baptized.
As Paul preached in Corinth, many Corinthians believed his message about Jesus and were baptized, including the ruler of the synagogue and his household.
Acts 19:1-5 – Baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus
And it happened that while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul passed through the inland country and came to Ephesus. There he found some disciples. And he said to them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” And they said, “No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.” And he said, “Into what then were you baptized?” They said, “Into John’s baptism.” And Paul said, “John baptized with the baptism of repentance, telling the people to believe in the one who was to come after him, that is, Jesus.” On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
Paul found disciples who had been baptized into John’s baptism of repentance. When they heard about Jesus, they were then baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus.
In summary, baptism is a sign of faith in Jesus Christ and unity with Him in His death and resurrection. It represents cleansing from sin and the new life we have through faith. Baptism was closely tied to repentance, belief, and confession of faith in Christ. It was applied both individually and to whole households once they believed. According to these verses, baptism is an important act of obedience and public profession of faith for believers in Jesus Christ.