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What the Bible Says About Baptism

Overview

The Bible addresses baptism across 47 verses, drawn from the New Testament. These passages cluster most in Acts, Matthew and 1 Corinthians. Closely related themes include Holy Spirit, Sadducees, Jesus, The Christ and Pharisees, the. Figures whose stories touch this theme include Jesus, Philip, Paul and Abraham.

Key Bible verses about baptism

New Testament

Matthew

Matthew 3:5

Then went out to him Jerusalem, and all Judaea, and all the region round about Jordan,

Matthew 3:6

And were baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins.

Matthew 3:7

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?

Matthew 3:8

Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance: meet: or, answerable to amendment of life

Matthew 3:9

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.

Matthew 3:10

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.

Matthew 3:11

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:

Matthew 3:12

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.

Matthew 3:13

Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him.

Matthew 3:14

But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me?

Matthew 3:15

And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness.1343 Then he suffered him.

Matthew 3:16

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:

Acts

Acts 8:12

But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.

Acts 8:13

Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done. miracles: Gr. signs and great miracles

Acts 8:36

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?

Acts 8:37

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.

Acts 8:38

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.

Acts 10:46

For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter,

Acts 10:47

Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?

Acts 10:48

And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.

Acts 16:14

And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which worshipped God, heard us: whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul.

Acts 16:15

And when she was baptized, and her household, she besought us, saying, If ye have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house, and abide there. And she constrained us.

Acts 19:3

And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism.

Acts 19:4

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.

Acts 19:5

When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.

1 Corinthians

People in the Bible and baptism

Biblical figures whose stories intersect with this theme.

In the Bible dictionary

Studying baptism for yourself

  • Begin with Matthew 3:5, then read the passages below in canonical order.
  • Compare how Acts, Matthew and 1 Corinthians each treat the theme.
  • Consider the lives of Jesus, Philip and Paul and how their stories intersect with it.
  • Widen the study to related themes: Holy Spirit, Sadducees, Jesus, The Christ and Pharisees, the.

Frequently asked questions

What does the Bible say about baptism?

The Bible addresses baptism across 47 verses, drawn from the New Testament. These passages cluster most in Acts, Matthew and 1 Corinthians. Closely related themes include Holy Spirit, Sadducees, Jesus, The Christ and Pharisees, the. Figures whose stories touch this theme include Jesus, Philip, Paul and Abraham.

How many Bible verses are about baptism?

The Bible references baptism in 47 verses (King James Version).

Where does the Bible first mention baptism?

In canonical order, the first of these passages is Matthew 3:5: “Then went out to him Jerusalem, and all Judaea, and all the region round about Jordan,”

Which people in the Bible are associated with baptism?

Jesus, Philip, Paul, Abraham and Elijah.

Preach & teach

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