What Is Baptism? Discover Its Extreme Importance…

Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.  -Romans 6:3-4

In the book of Romans, Paul told us that we identify with the death of Jesus Christ through baptism. We identify with Jesus's death through repentance and bury our old life when we are baptized, which leads to us walking in newness of life by the infilling of the Holy Ghost. 

But baptism goes deeper than just identifying with Christ's death. It's the essential second step to having our sins remitted and being filled with God's spirit, which is how we receive salvation (Acts 2:38).

The Meaning of Baptism

The Greek word for baptize is βαπτίζω (baptizo) and it means to submerge, immerse, or to dip under. That's why baptism is linked to the burial of Jesus. You're being buried in water after you died out to sin through repentance, just like Jesus was buried after he died on the cross.

Biblical Mode of Baptism

Just as the definition for baptism suggests, it's carried out by completely immersing a person in water. There are other words that Jesus, Peter, and others could've used if they meant to indicate a sprinkling. But they intentionally used the word baptizo to clearly indicate immersion and the scriptures prove this over and over.

John the Baptist performed baptisms by immersion in the Jordan River:

"Then all the land of Judea, and those from Jerusalem, went out to him and were all baptized by him in the Jordan River, confessing their sins." (Mark 1:5)    

When John the Baptist baptized Jesus, it was full immersion in water:

"When He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him." (Matthew 3:16)

"And immediately, coming up from the water, He saw the heavens parting and the Spirit descending upon Him like a dove." (Mark 1:10)

John the Baptist carried out water baptism in Aenon by immersion:

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

Phillip baptized the eunuch in water by immersion:

"So he commanded the chariot to stand still. And both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water, and he baptized him. 39 Now when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught Philip away, so that the eunuch saw him no more; and he went on his way rejoicing." (Acts 8:38-39)

All through out the New Testament, anytime someone was baptized, it was done by full immersion in water. No one was ever sprinkled or had water poured over their head to perform a baptism. It was 100% baptism by immersion.   

The baptisms after Peter preached:

"Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them." (Acts 2:41)

These people heard Peter's message, received the preached word, and were baptized just as Peter preached: in the name of Jesus.

The Samaritans who Philip preached to:

"But when they believed Philip as he preached the things concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, both men and women were baptized." (Acts 8:12)

Philip preached to the people in Samaria and they were baptized in the name of Jesus and received the Holy Ghost.

Peter baptized Cornelius and his family:

"Can anyone forbid water, that these should not be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have? And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then they asked him to stay a few days." (Acts 10:47-48)

Peter shared the gospel with Cornelius and his family, which led them to receive the gift of the Holy Ghost and get baptized in the name of Jesus Christ.

Paul baptized followers of John the Baptist:

In Acts chapter 19, Paul ran into some disciples of John the Baptist in Ephesus and asked them how they were baptized. They replied that they were baptized into John's baptism.

Paul had a quick Bible Study with them, which resulted in them being baptized in the name of Jesus and receiving the Holy Ghost.

Paul gave his testimony in Jerusalem:

In Acts 22, Paul defends himself against the Israelites who wanted him dead and shares his testimony. In verse 16 he shared that Ananias told him to be baptized in the name of Jesus. So Paul was indeed baptized in the name of Jesus Christ.

Any time someone was baptized in the book of Acts, it was in the name of Jesus Christ. Nowhere in the New Testament was anyone baptized in the titles. So that begs the question...

Were the disciples confused?

Jesus gave the disciples instructions to baptize in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. But from the very beginning of the church's birth in Acts 2, the only way anyone was baptized was in the name of Jesus.

So did the disciples misunderstand Jesus? 

No! They understood perfectly what Jesus wanted them to do, and they carried it out just as instructed. Otherwise, no one would have been filled with the Holy Ghost.

The name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost is Jesus, and the disciples understood that. So they correctly baptized everyone in the name of Jesus. 

Why Is Baptism Important?

Baptism is vital for us to receive salvation. Jesus emphasizes the importance of baptism by instructing his disciples to go and baptize people in Matthew 28:19.

In Acts 2:38, Peter preaches the only way to have your sins remitted is through repentance and baptism in the name of Jesus. It's also essential in order to be filled with the gift of the Holy Ghost.

On top of that, it's how we identify with Christ's burial: 

"Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life." (Romans 6:4)

Important Bible Verses on Baptism

The Great Commission Matthew 28:19-20

Go therefore and make disciples of all the 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 have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age. Amen.

Peter carries out Jesus's commission Acts 2:38-39

Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.”

We identify with Christ's burial Romans 6:3-4 & Colossians 2:12

Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

Buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead.

Final Thoughts

Baptism in the name of Jesus, along with true repentance, is the only way you can receive remission of sins and get the gift of the Holy Ghost. 

We identify with the burial of Jesus through baptism and Jesus placed great importance on being baptized in the great commission.