THE BAPTISM QUESTION
Baptism has been discussed by Christians for centuries. Some believe it is essential. Others believe it is optional. Some practice infant baptism, while others baptize only believers. Some sprinkle, some pour, and others immerse.
Sincere Christians often disagree, but before asking what any church teaches, we should first ask:
What do the biblical writers actually say?
In the previous two courses we learned how to study the Bible and how biblical authority works. Now we will apply those principles to one of the most discussed subjects in the New Testament.
Throughout this course we will examine the major passages on baptism in their context. We'll look at the words of Jesus, the preaching of the apostles, the examples recorded in Acts, and the explanations given in the New Testament letters.
Rather than building a doctrine from one or two favorite verses, we'll allow the whole New Testament to speak.
Our purpose is not to defend a denomination or criticize those who disagree.
Read the text first. Then draw your conclusions.
Questions, comments, or disagreements?
We welcome them. Use the response form on our HOME page to send us a note.
Bible Studies
Bible Study 1
Why does baptism appear so often in the New Testament? Why did Jesus command it, and why did the apostles repeatedly include it when people responded to the gospel?
Additional Study: Water, Cleansing, and New Beginnings
Before we reach the New Testament, we'll look at the Bible's larger story of water, cleansing, judgment, deliverance, and new beginnings.
Bible Study 2
Why Did God Send John Before Jesus?
What was the purpose of John's baptism? Why did God send John to prepare Israel for Christ, and why was John's baptism later replaced by baptism in the name of Jesus?
Bible Study 3
What Did Jesus Teach About Baptism?
Jesus was baptized by John, His disciples baptized during His ministry, and after His resurrection He commanded His apostles to make disciples and baptize them.
What changed after the cross?
Bible Study 4
On Pentecost, Peter proclaimed the death and resurrection of Jesus. When the people asked, “What shall we do?” Peter told them to repent and be baptized.
What did Peter mean, and how did his audience respond?
Bible Study 5
Did the Apostles Preach the Same Message Everywhere?
Pentecost was only the beginning.
As the gospel spread through Acts, what happened when people heard and believed it?
We'll follow the conversions recorded by Luke and see whether the same pattern continued.
Bible Study 6
The New Testament does more than tell us that people were baptized. It explains what baptism means.
Paul and Peter describe believers as buried and raised with Christ, clothed with Christ, baptized into one body, washed and made new, and saved through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Going Deeper
This section includes seven additional studies:
Is Baptism Just an Outward Sign?
Each study examines one important passage or question in its own context.
Bible Study 7
What About the Difficult Passages?
Before reaching a conclusion, we also need to examine the passages most often raised when Christians disagree about baptism.
What about the thief on the cross?
What about Cornelius receiving the Holy Spirit before baptism?
Are we saved by faith alone?
Was Saul already saved on the Damascus road?
What about Romans 10?
Why were the men at Ephesus baptized again?
Going Deeper
These questions are examined individually in:
What About the Thief on the Cross?
Was Saul Already Saved on the Damascus Road?
Why Were the Men at Ephesus Baptized Again?
What Does the Whole New Testament Picture Show?
The goal is not to make difficult passages disappear.
The goal is to let every passage speak and then see how all the evidence fits together.
Continue Your Study
First Bible Study
If baptism were only a minor subject, why does it appear so often in the New Testament?
Why did Jesus command it?
Why did the apostles repeatedly baptize those who accepted the gospel?
That's where we'll begin.
Companion Video
Why Baptism?
Read First. Conclude Later.