Baptism in the Bible part one | Romans 6 Bible Study

Father God, thank you that we can spend time together reading and studying your holy word. Lord I pray for all listening to this study to gently and sincerely consider the things that we will be talking about regarding baptism today and baptism throughout the Bible. I know, dear Lord, that this is a difficult subject for many, but may we put aside the traditions of men and simply see what your word rightly divided has to say on this subject. In Christ's name we pray, amen. 

Baptism in the Bible part one

Romans chapter six talks about baptism, so let's study this topic before we dive into this chapter verse by verse. I will do my best in these studies to teach on baptism, but I do recommend studying out this topic more for yourself. It can be a good side study. Also, I will include links to some articles and videos by other Grace believers that teach on this topic as well, if you are interested in learning more.

Baptism is a very controversial issue within Christendom. Many denominational splits have occurred because of disagreements over baptism. Some believe that water baptism is required for salvation today. Others believe that it is an "outerward manifestation of an inward grace." Some believe that people need to be dunked in water once, or several times. Some believe that we should only be sprinkled with water. There are differences about who can baptize, why we are baptized, who can be baptized, what age one should be baptized, how many times you should or can be baptized, etc. I have even heard of people teaching that if a child dies without being baptized, they go to hell (this isn't true and shows just how awful of teachings can come out of not understanding baptism).

With so much confusion on the subject let's look at what the Bible actually teaches regarding baptism. 

So to begin with, the word baptism essentially means "to be placed into." When a person today believes the gospel, they are immediately baptized by the Spirit of God into Christ's death and into the body of Christ. This means that our old man has died, and is crucified with Christ. We are then identified with, or placed into, Christ and become a member of his body (placed into the body of Christ). When this happens, there's no water at all! It happens instantaneously the very moment that we believe the gospel. We are baptized by the very Spirit of God. 

Rom 6:3 KJB 

3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?

1Co 12:13 KJB 

13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.

Gal 3:27 KJB 

27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.

However, there were times when water baptism was practiced and even required for salvation, plus Paul himself was water baptized and had water baptized others for a time during the acts period. So let's look at that.

Baptisms in the Bible 

• Baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea;

1 Corinthians 10:1-4 KJB says,

1Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea;

2And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea;

3And did all eat the same spiritual meat;

4And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.

These verses are referring to Exodus 12 and 14. Lets look at Exodus 12:37, Exodus 14:19-21 and Exodus 14:28-31.

Exodus 12:37 KJB 

37 And the children of Israel journeyed from Rameses to Succoth, about six hundred thousand on foot that were men, beside children.

Exodus 14:19-21 KJB

19 And the angel of God, which went before the camp of Israel, removed and went behind them; and the pillar of the cloud went from before their face, and stood behind them:

20And it came between the camp of the Egyptians and the camp of Israel; and it was a cloud and darkness to them, but it gave light by night to these: so that the one came not near the other all the night.

21¶And Moses stretched out his hand over the sea; and the LORD caused the sea to go back by a strong east wind all that night, and made the sea dry land, and the waters were divided.

Exodus 14:28 to 31

28And the waters returned, and covered the chariots, and the horsemen, and all the host of Pharaoh that came into the sea after them; there remained not so much as one of them.

29But the children of Israel walked upon dry land in the midst of the sea; and the waters were a wall unto them on their right hand, and on their left.

30¶Thus the LORD saved Israel that day out of the hand of the Egyptians; and Israel saw the Egyptians dead upon the sea shore.

31And Israel saw that great work which the LORD did upon the Egyptians: and the people feared the LORD, and believed the LORD, and his servant Moses.

So, the baptism here that Paul is referring to simply means that because of these miracles, it caused the Israelites to believe in God and in his servant Moses. The wonderful works that God did by Moses was to make Israel accept Moses as leader. Thus they were baptized unto Moses by the cloud and the Red Sea.

It does NOT say that the Israelites actually got wet. It was a dry baptism for Israel, but a real submergence into death for the Egyptians! 

• Water Baptism in the Old Testament 

When John the Baptist began water baptizing it wasn't necessarily something new. When the Levitical priests of Israel were ordained into the priesthood, they were required first to wash with water. 

Exodus 29:4

4 "And Aaron and his sons thou shalt bring unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, and shalt wash them with water."

Leviticus 8:6 KJB “And Moses brought Aaron and his sons, and washed them with water.”

God also promised that the nation of Israel would be a holy nation and a royal priesthood. 

Exo 19:6 KJB 

6 And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel.

1Pe 2:9 KJB 

9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:

Which is how we then get to John the Baptists ministry and why he was water baptizing Jews.

Mark 1:4 KJB

"John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.” 

John the Baptist was preaching repentance to Israel in the hopes that they would turn away from their now corrupted religion, understand their spiritual condition (individually and corporately as a nation) and turn to God to save them. He was also water baptising them to prepare them to be a nation of priests in the coming kingdom, which was at-hand. 

He baptized the Lord Jesus Christ so that the Lord would meet the old testament priesthood law requirements. 

Matthew 3:13-17 KJB

13Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him.

14But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me?

15 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.

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:

17And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

Heb 4:14 KJB 

14 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.

He also water baptized Jesus Christ in order to manifest Him as Israel’s Messiah. Anyone who wasn't water baptized was publicly admitting unbelief. John the Baptists water baptism also separated believers from unbelievers.

Even Gentiles in Israel's program are required to be water baptized. 

Mat 28:19 KJB 

19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

In our second study on baptism we will discuss baptism of the Holy Ghost, baptism of fire, and more about our spiritual baptism today in the dispensation of grace. 

Here are some articles and videos by other Grace believers that teach on this topic as well, if you are interested in learning more.

Grace Ambassadors 

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLQYBWRRNbg4bqL_i4SjSW7574LxHb9hDT&feature=shared

Berean Bible Society 

https://youtu.be/o7pwcTIRtwk?feature=shared

Eric Neumann on baptism 

https://youtu.be/TCCbm-XpE_4?feature=shared

https://youtu.be/fCYrtDAMgnM?feature=shared

Shawn Brasseaux

https://forwhatsaiththescriptures.org/2016/04/16/immersion-water-baptism/

https://forwhatsaiththescriptures.org/2013/12/10/why-did-paul-water-baptize/