As with any Bible subject that is not carefully researched and studied, many doctrines arise regarding baptism. This is because men are proud in their own wisdom, rather than accepting the wisdom of God’s Holy Word.

In this study we shall let the holy word of God speak to us, supplying us with the knowledge that is able to save our souls. Anything less than the word of God springs from the vanity of the human mind.

I Corinthians 1:18: "For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God."

Romans 3:3-4: "For what if some did not believe? shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect?God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged."

It is the word of God that shall save us.

Romans 1:16: "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek."

James 1:21: "Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls."

Part of the confusion stems from the Bible student’s inability to distinguish between the different baptisms, or the reason for baptism. This often appears to be because the Bible preacher or teacher merely repeats a denominational doctrine, such as that taught by John Calvin. We must do better than this, by rightly dividing God’s word of truth.

2 Timothy 2:15: "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."

Erroneous doctrine abounds! Some say that only water baptism is necessary; others say only Spirit baptism is required. Yet others say that Spirit baptism is to be followed by water baptism. Still others equate Spirit baptism with the baptism of fire. Who is right? What does the Bible say?

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Water & Spirit

What does the Bible teach? The only worthwhile answers are those that are found in the scriptures, the Holy Word of God. All the rest are manmade ideas; not only are they worthless when it comes to our soul’s salvation, they are downright dangerous! They can draw us away from the Spiritual teaching of the Bible, and into the convoluted and devious thinking of man!

Genesis 6:5: "And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually."

Proverbs 3:5: "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding."

Matthew 15:9: "But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men."

Romans 10:3: "For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God."

So let’s stay with the scriptures in our study of baptism, lest we incur the wrath of God! Baptism is definitely an important event in the New Testament. John practiced baptism by water, as is evidenced in:

John 1:26-36: "John answered them, saying, I baptize with water: but there standeth one among you, whom ye know not; He it is, who coming after me is preferred before me, whose shoe's latchet I am not worthy to unloose. These things were done in Bethabara beyond Jordan, where John was baptizing. The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world. This is he of whom I said, After me cometh a man which is preferred before me: for he was before me. And I knew him not: but that he should be made manifest to Israel, therefore am I come baptizing with water. And John bare record, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him. And I knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost. And I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God. Again the next day after John stood, and two of his disciples; And looking upon Jesus as he walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb of God!"

John 3:23: "And John also was baptizing in Aenon near to Salim, because there was much water there: and they came, and were baptized."

John baptized in water, for repentance.

Acts 13:24: "When John had first preached before his coming the baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel"

Acts 19: 3-5: "And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism. Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus. When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus."

John 3:1-17: "In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea, And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. And the same John had his raiment of camel's hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins; and his meat was locusts and wild honey. Then went out to him Jerusalem, and all Judaea, and all the region round about Jordan, And were baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins. But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance: And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham. And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire: Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.

"Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him. But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me? And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him. And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased."

Some have questioned the importance of water baptism; the Calvinists say that it is absolutely unnecessary. Yet Jesus came to John to receive the water baptism. John wanted to refuse Him, but Jesus insisted. "For thus it becometh us to fulfill all righteousness", Jesus told John the Baptist (Baptizer).

Righteousness means that which is ordained of God, or "right with God". Jesus said the water baptism was necessary to "fulfill all righteousness", meaning that this was what God wanted, or had ordained! Who now says that it is unimportant?

Jesus had done nothing for which He needed to repent.

Hebrews 4:14-15: "Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin."

Jesus was baptized, because He was setting the example for all of us to follow.

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Nicodemus

Jesus told Nicodemus that he must be born again of water and of the Spirit.

John 3:1-8: "There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews: The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him. Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born? Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit."

Jesus emphasized that one must be born again of water and of the Spirit-not water only, not the Spirit only, but both. He practiced water baptism by letting John baptize Him; He baptized others.

John 3: 22-28: "After these things came Jesus and his disciples into the land of Judaea; and there he tarried with them, and baptized. And John also was baptizing in Aenon near to Salim, because there was much water there: and they came, and were baptized. For John was not yet cast into prison. Then there arose a question between some of John's disciples and the Jews about purifying. And they came unto John, and said unto him, Rabbi, he that was with thee beyond Jordan, to whom thou barest witness, behold, the same baptizeth, and all men come to him. John answered and said, A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven. Ye yourselves bear me witness, that I said, I am not the Christ, but that I am sent before him."

Yet John testified that Jesus was also sent to baptize with the Holy Ghost. This is why Jesus told Nicodemus a man must be born again of water and of the Spirit.

Jesus taught the apostles and disciples to baptize with water baptism.

Matthew 28:18-20: "And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen."

There have been those who say this was baptism of the Holy Ghost. However, the scriptures clearly show that the apostles and early disciples taught and practiced water baptism.

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The Acts Of The Apostles & Disciples

Acts 2:36-42: "Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have 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 unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call. And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation. Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers."

When Peter, on Pentecost, preached Jesus and Him crucified, he preached repentance and baptism. The people who gladly received this preaching obeyed it by being baptized.

Acts 8: 26-40: "And the angel of the Lord spake unto Philip, saying, Arise, and go toward the south unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza, which is desert. And he arose and went: and, behold, a man of Ethiopia, an eunuch of great authority under Candace queen of the Ethiopians, who had the charge of all her treasure, and had come to Jerusalem for to worship, Was returning, and sitting in his chariot read Esaias the prophet. Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot. And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest? And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him. The place of the scripture which he read was this, He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb dumb before his shearer, so opened he not his mouth: In his humiliation his judgment was taken away: and who shall declare his generation? for his life is take from the earth. And the eunuch answered Philip, and said, I pray thee, of whom speaketh the prophet this? of himself, or of some other man? Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus.

And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him. And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing. But Philip was found at Azotus: and passing through he preached in all the cities, till he came to Caesarea."

In this account of the Ethiopian eunuch, Philip "preached unto him Jesus"; whereupon, when they ventured upon water, the eunuch immediately said, "See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?" Somewhere in Philip’s sermon about Jesus, he had presented the necessity of being baptized in water. The eunuch was anxious to be baptized in the water. They both went down into the water, Philip baptized the eunuch, and they both came up out of the water.

Note that they did not kneel beside the water, nor did they dip out a small portion. They both walked down into the water. Why? We shall answer that question shortly, when we look at being born again! The eunuch was overjoyed to have been baptized in the water, as the scripture tells us that "he went on his way rejoicing".

Acts 10: 42-48: "And he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is he which was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead. To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins. While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter, Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days."

On this occasion, after the Holy Ghost had fallen upon these Gentiles, Peter then asked a plain question. "Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized?"

This is in keeping with the Lord’s teaching to Nicodemus, in which He declared that, "Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God".

Peter tells the Gentiles that the gift of the Holy Ghost must be coupled with water baptism; the receipt of the Holy Ghost alone, or His gifts, is not enough!

Acts 22:6-21: "And it came to pass, that, as I made my journey, and was come nigh unto Damascus about noon, suddenly there shone from heaven a great light round about me. And I fell unto the ground, and heard a voice saying unto me, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? And I answered, Who art thou, Lord? And he said unto me, I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom thou persecutest. And they that were with me saw indeed the light, and were afraid; but they heard not the voice of him that spake to me. And I said, What shall I do, Lord? And the Lord said unto me, Arise, and go into Damascus; and there it shall be told thee of all things which are appointed for thee to do. And when I could not see for the glory of that light, being led by the hand of them that were with me, I came into Damascus. And one Ananias, a devout man according to the law, having a good report of all the Jews which dwelt there, Came unto me, and stood, and said unto me, Brother Saul, receive thy sight. And the same hour I looked up upon him. And he sid, The God of our fathers hath chosen thee, that thou shouldest know his will, and see that Just One, and shouldest hear the voice of his mouth. For thou shalt be his witness unto all men of what thou hast seen and heard. And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord. And it came to pass, that, when I was come again to Jerusalem, even while I prayed in the temple, I was in a trance; And saw him saying unto me, Make haste, and get thee quickly out of Jerusalem: for they will not receive thy testimony concerning me. And I said, Lord, they know that I imprisoned and beat in every synagogue them that believed on thee: And when the blood of thy martyr Stephen was shed, I also was standing by, and consenting unto his death, and kept the raiment of them that slew him.: And he said unto me, Depart: for I will send thee far hence unto the Gentiles."

This is the account of the conversion of one Saul of Tarsus, later known as the Apostle Paul. Although the Lord had already selected Paul to do a great work among the Gentiles, he still commanded him to be baptized, washing away his sins! "And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord."

Note, too, the urgency of immediate baptism. This was not something to be postponed until some holy day (such as Easter) or some warmer season. Ananias asked him, "Why tarriest thou?", or, "Why do you delay?"

This is the same urgency displayed by the Ethiopian eunuch upon laying eyes upon enough water to accomplish the baptism. We also see this immediacy described in:

Acts 16: 27-34: "And the keeper of the prison awaking out of his sleep, and seeing the prison doors open, he drew out his sword, and would have killed himself, supposing that the prisoners had been fled. But Paul cried with a loud voice, saying, Do thyself no harm: for we are all here. Then he called for a light, and sprang in, and came trembling, and fell down before Paul and Silas, And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. And they spake unto him the word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house. And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway. And when he had brought them into his house, he set meat before them, and rejoiced, believing in God with all his house."

When Paul and Silas spoke the word of the Lord, the prison keeper and all his household were baptized straightway (straight away,or right away, or immediately).

Acts 19:1-6: "And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples, He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost. And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism. Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus. When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied."

These believers at Ephesus had received the baptism performed by John (of repentance), but had to be baptized again in the name of the Lord (recall Matthew 28). Afterwards, Paul laid his hands on them and the Holy Ghost came upon them. From this, we readily see that the baptism here was the water baptism, not Holy Ghost baptism.