New Testament Baptism Studies

There is no subject more misunderstood than baptism among millions of sincere religious people who claim to be followers of Jesus Christ. This is being confirmed on this website due to the current holding of this study as the most visited page by a margin of 10 to 1.

One of the most impactful reasons for this in this writers opinion is the belief out there that baptism is a work of man, that it is something that is added outside of Gods Word for salvation. The purpose here is to set forth what God has spoken on the subject of baptism and try and show the difference between truth and error relative to this issue.

It is our prayer that you will receive what is offered here like the noble-minded Bereans, who “received the word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily, to see whether these things were so” (Acts 17:11).

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The Beginning of Baptism:

In Luke 16:16 Jesus said “the law and the prophets were proclaimed until John; since then the gospel of the kingdom is preached.”

• The law and the prophets were all that the people of Israel had until John.
• God had given Israel the law of Moses and continued through the centuries to send prophets to them.
• The last prophet was Malachi
• For about 400 years God remained silent. God sent no additional prophet until John.
• The word ‘until’ is an adverb of time, meaning that with the coming of John something additional came from God.

What does it mean “since then the gospel of the kingdom is preached.” What did it include?

• To preach the kingdom surely meant to preach the gospel of the King – Jesus Christ.
• Mark 1:1 we read of “the beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.” This is the same as “the gospel of the kingdom” in Luke 16:16.
• All of this describes the preparation stage – getting the people (Jews) ready for the King and the kingdom which was then at hand.
• Mark 1:4 declares that “John the Baptist appeared... preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.” Here we learn when baptism was “first” proclaimed.
• Never before had such a thing been required. John preached a baptism growing out of or based upon repentance. John would not baptize anyone before they brought forth fruit in keeping with repentance – Matt 3:8.
• John preached a baptism for the “forgiveness of sins” which was the gospel of Jesus Christ and His kingdom.
• ”Baptism for the forgiveness of sins” was preached at “the beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ” and it has been a vital part of this gospel ever since that time.
• Luke 3:2 states that “the word of God came to John... and he went out... preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.” Read this scripture often and carefully.
• John himself did not originate the doctrine. He was the first person to preach it, but where did the idea come from?
• It got started when “the word of God came to John.”
• Thus God Himself originated baptism for the forgiveness of sins and He sent John to preach and administer it.
• Only a disbeliever would doubt that it came from God.
• When the word of God was preached, “baptism for the forgiveness of sins” was proclaimed. It was begun by God and is a part of the Word of God, and when the word of God is proclaimed by the Apostles, “baptism for the forgiveness of sins” is always preached by statement or implied by inference.
• In John 1:33, John the Baptist said that it was God who sent him to baptize in water. It should be obvious that God Himself is responsible for John’s “preaching a baptism”... for the forgiveness of sins” and for John baptizing in water. To preach or teach otherwise is disobedience to God!

Now it should be clear when baptism for the forgiveness of sins started, why it started, where it started and who started it.

The video lessons here address many of the prominent issues surrounding water baptism and holy spirit baptism in historical context. May you be blessed and called by God in your studies of His Holy Word.

In today's world, there are many differing viewpoints about baptism. Some say that babies should be baptized, while others say that it is reserved only for adults. Some believe that baptism is necessary for salvation, while others do not. What is the truth about baptism? Have you ever wondered about whether or not you needed to be baptized? And, if you have been baptized, was your baptism for the right reasons as described in the Bible?

By Jeremiah McElyea

Jesus died for your sins, was raised for your justification, and appears to the disciples, ascended into heaven, seated at the right hand of God. He sends the Spirit, and the Spirit does what? He glorifies Jesus which means that the Spirit makes Jesus look infinitely glorious to the human heart. That’s what glorifying him means. We are spiritually dead because we desire other things more than we desire God. When you submit to baptism by faith it’s because you have seen and heard something in the gospel which is the glory of God and a faith in the person of Jesus Christ that you have never seen before. Baptism is the most helpless and passive act that a person could ever submit to because you are completely dependent on God through the entire act. Only he can spiritually circumcise you and apply the blood of Christ to you. This lesson bears these truths out in a very understandable way.

Lesson covers the danger of relying on single scriptures to reach a conclusion. The importance of understanding ALL that God has to say is vital to revealing to ones self what God is instructing us to do (Psalm 119:160 & Matthew 4:4). This isn't a matter of interpretation, but a matter of "obedient faith."

This lesson clears up the common Evangelical/Protestant belief that if one is baptized for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38, 22:16), he or she is rejecting the finished work of Jesus shedding His blood on the cross to save mankind. There are conditions to salvation that God sets forth in His Word. Get your pencil and bible out to follow along an expository treatment of these conditions by faith.

Do you happen to believe or think you don't need to be baptized in water to be saved? Do you believe baptism is just a symbolic act after being saved? Or do you believe it is a command by God to be saved. This lesson addresses how one marries to the blood of Christ and His resurrection through baptism. And equally important, the state of the penitent soul being changed from outside the Lord, to becoming a brother of Christ in His church.

Sin separates the soul from God, this we know. But what about water baptism? Is it the confessional mode God chose in the New Covenant to enjoin man back to Him? This lesson speaks to what God thinks about it and how it in itself is a test of faith. Could the Lord have put baptism in His plan as a test to choose the narrow gate? All good questions in which the lesson will bear out.

By Jeff Hamilton

Baptism being a work of man unfortunately is a prominent belief in Christendom. Is it really a work outside of Gods redeeming power and grace? What are the works of God? And does one have to "get into Christ" to be saved? The lesson reviews 6 scriptures that reveal the mind of Christ via the Holy Spirit about this idea of a work of man that has infiltrated bible classes and pulpits across the globe.

By Wayne Jackson - Christian Courier

What baptism is authorized by God since Apostle Paul says through the Holy Spirit, there is only one baptism? Who administers this baptism, and by what substance? Can one be buried and raised in spirit baptism? The lesson covers related scriptures pertaining to the logical scriptural conclusion one must come to in order to understand which baptism is active and authorized.

The baptism Apostle Paul speaks of in Romans chapter 6 and Galatians chapter 3 is often referred to as a spiritual baptism as opposed to a water baptism. Is both spirit and water baptism commanded by God? This lesson clears this up in scriptural terms that are easily understood as God originally intended.

Why in Romans chapter 10 is baptism not mentioned? All it says is to believe in the heart and confess Christ to be saved. Is this all there is? Have you ever heard of the "analogy of faith." This short lesson informs us that singular passages alone cannot establish an important doctrine versus many passages about a subject. The entirety of Gods Word (Psalms 119:160, Matt. 4:4) must be assembled together to draw a conclusion of perfect truth about baptism.

By Wayne Jackson - Christian Courier

The isolation of Ephesians 2:8-9 from the larger body of redemptive information is a fallacy that it does not include baptism as part of Gods plan of salvation. And does this same logic eliminate the requirement to repent of sins? This lesson reveals the clear teaching that Apostle Paul never intended to eliminate baptism for remission of sins in Ephesians 2:8-9 or any other time he preached the gospel.

By John Morris

Do you know what an “Anti-Type” is? Apostle Peter makes a comparison of the water in the flood that floated the Ark and its inhabitants Noah and family to safety from a wicked world, and, water baptism as instituted by the Lord Jesus in the first century. An interesting question is, “Why did God choose the element of water when he spoke to John the Baptist in the desert?” This lesson will help the bible student understand the mind of Christ in this regard.

It is believed by more than most religious people that if the thief on the cross wasn’t baptized in water to be saved, why do we need to be? Jesus didn’t require it to offer the thief Paradise then, so why now? The lesson explains the 2 covenants (Old and New) and their differing dispensational requirements surrounding the great transitional moment in time when Jesus lived and died on the cross.

By Jeff Hamilton

When Cornelius was baptized by the Holy Spirit before he was in water, does this mean Holy Spirit baptism is in force today? Another good question to ask is, “How many baptisms of the Holy Spirit are recorded in the New Testament? The baptism of Cornelius is another transitional moment in time God set aside to invite His church to the world outside Judaism – the world of the Gentiles.

Have you ever wondered, what exactly is occurring spiritually during the passive act of baptism by immersion from beginning to end? This lesson is very expository in easy to understand language how God intervenes and works His grace upon the penitent believer during baptism. It also helps the student of the bible to see what he or she is confessing before man and God Himself. We think you will find this lesson very informative for the seeker, and faith building for the disciple.

By Ethan Longhenry

The lesson covers most all of the arguments posed by people and teachers who think baptism is not a work of God for the remission of sin. All arguments are addressed with scripture chapter and verse for you the listener to study Gods word in context. We hope you are blessed in your continued studies.

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