Information Related to "What the Bible Says About Baptism"
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by Greg Thomas
hat does the Bible teach about baptism? Baptism is one of the most important beliefs of Christianity, but why? What is this ceremony all about? Is baptism merely an archaic symbol, or does it hold a deep meaning for the modern Christian? Does it matter which method of baptism is used: sprinkling, pouring, immersion or some other technique? When should one be baptized? Let's examine what the Bible says about this important subject.
Before we search the Scriptures for the answers to these questions, let's examine some pertinent historical factors and language considerations. Baptism is rooted in the Old Testament. For example, in the book of Exodus, God required the priests to ritually bathe themselves before offering sacrifices (Exodus 30:17-20). The Jews properly viewed ritual bathing as an act that represented cleansing from sin. In time, they applied this principle to gentiles desiring to convert to Judaism.
The Holman Bible Dictionary comments: "At some point close to the time of Jesus, Judaism began a heavy emphasis on ritual washings to cleanse from impurity. This goes back to priestly baths prior to offering sacrifices (Leviticus 16:4,24). Probably shortly prior to the time of Jesus or contemporary with Him, Jews began baptizing Gentile converts, though circumcision still remained the primary entrance rite into Judaism" (article "Baptism").
Because of this precedent, no one considered it strange for John the Baptist or Jesus to emphasize baptism in their ministries. Later, the apostles compared baptism to Old Testament events, Peter likening Noah's protection in the ark (1Peter 3:20,21) and Paul likewise relating Israel's crossing the Red Sea (1Corinthians 10:2) as types, or forerunners, of baptism.
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Laying on of hands: