Baptism by Immersion

Being born again: Baptizo — cleansing by immersion

by Maarten Vroegindeweij — April 2025

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What does baptism mean? (Bap’tizo)

• To dip repeatedly, to immerse, to sink (of ships that have gone down);
• To cleanse by immersion, to wash, to clean with water, to wash oneself, to bathe;
• To overwhelm

Introduction

We try to discover what God's Word teaches us about faith and baptism.

We let the Word speak in the strong conviction that what God says about His own Word is the truth!

2 Timothy 3:16 Every Scripture is God-breathed and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for instruction in righteousness,

This is a wonderful picture! God's Word gives light and clarity on our path!

Psalm 119:105 Your word is a lamp to my feet, and a light for my path.

We will set out all the passages from God's Word on baptism so that we can be taught by it without being distracted by the commandments and teachings of men.

Psalm 119:89 Forever, Lord, your word is settled in heaven.

Colossians 2:22 (..) according to the commandments and teachings of men.

If you have examined whether these things are so, we are open to corrections based on God's Word!

Acts 17:11 Now these were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so.

1. Summary

We begin with a short summary of the creation of man, the fall, and the salvation of man through Jesus Christ our Lord!

Genesis 1:27 God created man in his own image. In God's image he created him; male and female he created them.

God has made you in His own image! He has designed you and your ancestors! You are of value!

Romans 3:23 for all have sinned, and fall short of the glory of God;

Our ancestors Adam and Eve ate from the forbidden fruit in paradise. What was the consequence?

• Sin entered the world. Death made its entrance.
• Man lost his relationship with God!
• Envy, adultery, murder, lies, greed, pain, abuse, addiction, depression, injustice, sickness, sorrow, poverty, gossip, hatred and evil came into the world.
• Instead of eternal life, man receives eternal death through sin.

John 1:17 For the law was given through Moses. Grace and truth were realized through Jesus Christ.

Jesus, the Son of God, came to earth to bring restoration of the relationship between God and man!

1 Corinthians 15:22 For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive.

Ever since, there have been 2 families here on earth:

• The family of Adam
• The family of Christ

John 3:3 Jesus answered him, “Most certainly I tell you, unless one is born again, he can't see God's Kingdom.”

As you have been born, you cannot come into God's presence. You must be spiritually born again.

We have broken all the commandments in God's law. Therefore we cannot enter the Kingdom of God!

John 5:24 (..) He who hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life, and doesn't come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life.

God became man!

John 1:18 No one has seen God at any time. The only born Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, he has declared him.

• He came to save us!
• Willingly!
• He came to fulfil the demands of God's law!
• He lived the perfect life!
• He heals the sick!
• He heals people with depression and mental distress!
• He makes all things new!

1 John 5:12 He who has the Son has the life. He who doesn't have God's Son doesn't have the life.

We need Jesus to have life! Without Him we are spiritually dead and lost in our sin.

What does a human being consist of?

1 Thessalonians 5:23 your spirit, soul, and body

Our spirit is dead by nature since the Fall. Dead in sins and trespasses. Through being born again we receive a new spirit. A new creation!

John 3:5 Jesus answered, “Most certainly I tell you, unless one is born of water and spirit, he can't enter into God's Kingdom.”

Being born again: Faith, Repentance and Baptism

Acts 2:37 Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?”

Acts 2:38 Peter said to them, “Repent, and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”

Being born again includes faith, repentance, baptism and receiving the Holy Spirit.

What does the word repentance (μετανοεω, metanoia) mean?

• To come to other thoughts;
• To regret and change;
• To gain better understanding;
• To wholeheartedly improve with abhorrence of previous sins;

Romans 8:7 because the mind of the flesh is hostile toward God; for it is not subject to God's law, neither indeed can it be.

The soulish thinking of our flesh/body is hostile toward God. Our flesh does not submit to God's law!

If you try to repent of your sins by trying to keep the law, you will not succeed.

Titus 3:5 Because of His mercy He saved us through the washing of regeneration, baptism.

Becoming a child of God

Galatians 3:26 For you are all children of God, through faith in Christ Jesus.

Galatians 3:27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.

How do we become a child of God? Through faith in Jesus Christ!

In baptism you put on Christ!

Note the link between faith and baptism.

Baptism washes away sin!

Acts 22:16 Now why do you wait? Arise, be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord.

This is what Ananias says to Saul. This was 3 days after his conversion. In God's Word people are baptized immediately after their conversion. For Saul it took 3 days.

Baptism washes away sin!
Do not hesitate, but be baptized.
Obedience.

Baptism is identification with the work of Jesus Christ

Baptism is the identification with the work of Jesus Christ through which we are saved! Both in His death and in His resurrection and life!

Romans 6:3 Or don't you know that all we who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death?

1 Peter 3:21 This is a symbol of baptism, which now saves you — not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,

This is a strong expression from Peter!

Colossians 2:13 You were dead through your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh. He made you alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses,

(Almost) all Scripture passages on baptism

The Greek word translated as baptism is: bap’tizo.

• 1) To dip repeatedly, to immerse, to sink (of ships that have gone down)
• 2) To cleanse by immersion, to wash, to clean with water, to wash oneself, to bathe
• 3) To overwhelm

John the Baptist

Matthew 3:1 In those days, John the Baptizer came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea, saying, “Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand!”

Matthew 3:5,6 Then people from Jerusalem, all of Judea, and all the region around the Jordan went out to him. They were baptized by him in the Jordan, confessing their sins.

Mark 1:5 All the country of Judea and all those of Jerusalem went out to him. They were all baptized by him in the Jordan river, confessing their sins.

Matthew 3:7 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming for his baptism, he said to them, “You offspring of vipers, who warned you to flee from the wrath to come?”

Matthew 3:8 Therefore produce fruit worthy of repentance! (..) 10. Even now the axe lies at the root of the trees. Therefore every tree that doesn't produce good fruit is cut down, and cast into the fire.

Matthew 3:11 I indeed baptize you in water for repentance, but he who comes after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you in the Holy Spirit and with fire.

The baptism of Jesus

Matthew 3:13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John, to be baptized by him.

Matthew 3:14 But John would have hindered him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and you come to me?”

Matthew 3:15 But Jesus, answering, said to him, “Allow it now, for this is the fitting way for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he allowed him.

Jesus does everything that is necessary and useful. He lives as a man, is baptized and receives the Holy Spirit. As an example for us to follow!

Matthew 3:16 Jesus, when he was baptized, went up directly from the water: and behold, the heavens were opened to him. He saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove, and coming on him.

We see here that Jesus was baptized by immersion by John. After that, Jesus received the Holy Spirit.

Luke 3:21 Now when all the people were baptized, Jesus also had been baptized and was praying. The sky was opened,

Jesus was praying after His baptism! After that He receives the Holy Spirit.

Further Scripture passages

Matthew 20:22 But Jesus answered, “You don't know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I am about to drink, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?” They said to him, “We are able.”

Matthew 21:25 The baptism of John, where was it from? From heaven or from men? They reasoned with themselves, saying, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will ask us, ‘Why then did you not believe him?’”

Matthew 28:19 Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I commanded you.

Teaching and baptism are linked.

Mark 16:16 He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who disbelieves will be condemned.

Baptism follows faith!

Luke 7:29 When all the people and the tax collectors heard this, they declared God to be just, having been baptized with John's baptism.

Luke 7:30 But the Pharisees and the lawyers rejected the counsel of God, not being baptized by him themselves.

God's counsel concerning the Pharisees was therefore also that they would be saved! He wants all people to be saved. But this counsel/plan was rejected by the Pharisees.

John baptizes with water

John 1:31 I didn't know him, but for this reason I came baptizing in water, that he would be revealed to Israel.

John 1:33 I didn't recognize him, but he who sent me to baptize in water said to me, ‘On whomever you will see the Spirit descending and remaining on him is he who baptizes in the Holy Spirit.’

John 3:5 Jesus answered, “Most certainly I tell you, unless one is born of water and spirit, he can't enter into God's Kingdom.”

Being born again takes place out of water and Spirit. Water stands for baptism. Spirit for the sealing and baptism with the Holy Spirit.

John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only born Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life.

John 3:22 After these things, Jesus came with his disciples into the land of Judea. He stayed there with them and baptized.

Jesus also baptized! (through His disciples)

John 3:23 John also was baptizing in Enon near Salim, because there was much water there. They came, and were baptized;

John was at a place with much water.

Acts: the first church

Acts 2:38 Peter said to them, “Repent, and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”

Acts 2:41 Then those who gladly received his word were baptized. There were added that day about three thousand souls.

3000 people were baptized.

Acts 8:12 But when they believed Philip preaching the Good News of God's Kingdom and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.

Philip and the Ethiopian

Acts 8:35 Philip opened his mouth, and beginning from this Scripture, preached to him Jesus.

Acts 8:36 As they went on the way, they came to some water, and the eunuch said, “Behold, here is water. What is keeping me from being baptized?”

Philip must have told the eunuch about baptism. That was apparently part of the primary proclamation of the gospel.

Acts 8:37 Philip said, “If you believe with all your heart, you may.” He answered, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.”

Faith in Jesus Christ is a condition for baptism!

Acts 8:38 He commanded the chariot to stand still, and they both went down into the water, both Philip and the eunuch, and he baptized him.

Acts 8:39 When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught Philip away, and the eunuch didn't see him any more, for he went on his way rejoicing.

“Coming up out of the water” points to immersion. He was joyful!

Saul/Paul is baptized

Acts 9:17 Ananias departed, and entered into the house. Laying his hands on him, he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord, who appeared to you on the road by which you came, has sent me, that you may receive your sight, and be filled with the Holy Spirit.”

Acts 9:18 Immediately something like scales fell from his eyes, and he received his sight. He arose and was baptized.

Ananias was “a certain disciple” and not an elder or pastor. From this you can see that it can be the calling of every disciple of Jesus to baptize.

Cornelius and the Gentiles

Acts 10:44 While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell on all those who heard the word.

Acts 10:47 Can any man forbid the water, that these who have received the Holy Spirit as well as we, should not be baptized?

Acts 10:48 He commanded them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to stay some days.

For the first time Gentiles (non-Jews) received the Holy Spirit. Peter commanded that they should be baptized.

Lydia, the jailer, Crispus

Acts 16:14,15 A certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, one who worshipped God, heard us; whose heart the Lord opened to listen to the things which were spoken by Paul. When she and her household were baptized, she begged us,

Acts 16:30-34 and brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” They said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.” They spoke the word of the Lord to him, and to all who were in his house. He took them the same hour of the night and washed their stripes, and was immediately baptized, he and all his household. He brought them up into his house, and set food before them, and rejoiced greatly, with all his household, having believed in God.

Acts 18:8 Crispus, the ruler of the synagogue, believed in the Lord with all his house. Many of the Corinthians, hearing, believed and were baptized.

Baptized again in Ephesus

Acts 19:3-6 He said, “Into what then were you baptized?” They said, “Into John's baptism.” Paul said, “John indeed baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying to the people that they should believe in the one who would come after him, that is, in Christ Jesus.” When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. When Paul had laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke with other languages and prophesied.

Even those who had been baptized with John's baptism were baptized again. Baptism happened in the name of the Lord Jesus.

Acts 22:16 Now why do you wait? Arise, be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord.

Baptism washes us clean

1 Corinthians 6:9-11 Or don't you know that the unrighteous will not inherit God's Kingdom? Don't be deceived. Neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor male prostitutes, nor homosexuals, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor slanderers, nor extortionists, will inherit God's Kingdom. Some of you were such, but you were washed. But you were sanctified. But you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and in the Spirit of our God.

Comparison: Israel and us

1 Corinthians 10:1,2 Now I would not have you ignorant, brothers, that our fathers were all under the cloud, and all passed through the sea; and were all baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea;

1 Corinthians 12:12,13 For as the body is one, and has many members, and all the members of the body, being many, are one body; so also is Christ. For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether bond or free; and were all given to drink into one Spirit.

In baptism by immersion and the baptism with the Holy Spirit we are made into ONE body. The body of Christ on earth. He is the head! We are the members.

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