Jesus was baptized (Matthew 3:16-17) and commanded His followers to baptize in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost (Matthew 28:19-20). The early church baptized new believers right away (Acts 2:38, 41; Acts 8:36-38). Baptism pictures being buried and raised with Christ to newness of life (Romans 6:3-4; Colossians 2:12) and putting on Christ (Galatians 3:27).
Getting baptized, celebrating someone's baptism, or simply wondering what the Bible teaches? These twelve King James passages cover Jesus' own baptism, His command, baptisms in the book of Acts, and what baptism pictures. Christians practice baptism in different ways, and these verses are the shared starting point. For the Lord's Supper, the other ordinance most churches observe, see our communion page.
Jesus' baptism and His command
1. Matthew 3:16-17
"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: And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased."
Jesus had no sin to confess, yet He was baptized "to fulfil all righteousness" (Matthew 3:15). Father, Son, and Spirit all appear: the Son in the water, the Spirit descending like a dove, and the Father's voice of delight.
2. Matthew 28:19-20
"Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen."
The Great Commission joins baptizing with teaching. Baptism is the first public step of discipleship, done in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, and Jesus promises His presence "alway."
3. Mark 16:16
"He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned."
Belief and baptism stand side by side in Jesus' words. Notice that the closing warning names unbelief. Christian traditions weigh differently how faith and baptism relate, but all agree that faith in Christ is essential.
Baptism in the early church
4. Acts 2:38
"Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost."
At Pentecost, when the crowd asked what they should do, Peter answered: repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ, with the promise of the Holy Ghost. Baptism was the expected response to the gospel from day one.
5. Acts 2:41
"Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls."
That same day about three thousand people were baptized. Notice the order: they "gladly received his word," and then they were baptized.
6. Acts 8:36-38
"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? 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. 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."
An Ethiopian official heard the gospel on a desert road and asked to be baptized at the first water he saw. Philip looked for faith "with all thine heart." No delay, no special building: just faith and water.
7. Acts 22:16
"And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord."
Ananias spoke these words to Saul (Paul) after his Damascus road encounter. Baptism is pictured as a washing, joined with calling on the name of the Lord, and Ananias asks, in effect, why wait?
What baptism pictures
8. Romans 6:3-4
"Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life."
Baptism pictures union with Christ: buried with Him and raised to walk in "newness of life." This is one reason many churches baptize by immersion—going under and coming up again.
9. Colossians 2:12
"Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead."
Paul repeats the burial-and-resurrection picture and stresses where the power lies: "the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead."
10. Galatians 3:27
"For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ."
Baptism is pictured as putting on new clothes: you are clothed with Christ, and your identity is now in Him. The next verse adds that all are "one in Christ Jesus."
11. 1 Peter 3:21
"The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:"
Peter compares baptism to Noah's family carried safely through the flood. He clarifies that it is not about washing dirt from the body but "the answer of a good conscience toward God," and its power comes through Christ's resurrection.
12. Ephesians 4:5
"One Lord, one faith, one baptism,"
In a list of what unites all believers, Paul names "one baptism." Despite differences in practice, baptism is a shared mark of belonging to the one Lord.
A short prayer
Lord Jesus, thank You for going down into the water before me and for commanding baptism as a sign of new life. Whether I am preparing to be baptized or remembering my baptism, help me walk in newness of life, clothed with You, and joined with Your people. In Jesus' name, amen.
Go deeper: a SOAP study prompt
Pick one verse above and write: - Scripture: copy the verse by hand. - Observation: what does it say? Who is speaking, to whom? - Application: what does it mean for you today? - Prayer: turn it into a two-line prayer.
New to this method? See our Bible study guide or pick a Bible reading plan.
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Frequently asked questions
What does the Bible say about baptism?
Jesus was baptized (Matthew 3:16-17), commanded His followers to baptize (Matthew 28:19-20), and the early church baptized new believers quickly (Acts 2:38-41). Romans 6:3-4 explains it as being buried and raised with Christ.
Why was Jesus baptized if He had no sin?
He told John it was "to fulfil all righteousness" (Matthew 3:15). His baptism identified Him with the sinners He came to save and marked the start of His public ministry, with the Father's approval spoken from heaven.
Does baptism save you?
Christians answer this differently. Some traditions see baptism as a means of grace (citing Acts 2:38 and 1 Peter 3:21); many others see it as an outward sign of inward faith (citing Ephesians 2:8-9). All agree baptism is commanded and points to Christ. Your pastor can explain your church's teaching.
What is a good Bible verse for a baptism card?
Romans 6:4 ("walk in newness of life"), Galatians 3:27 ("have put on Christ"), and 2 Corinthians 5:17 ("a new creature") are popular choices. See our new beginning page for more.
Sources: All Scripture quotations are from the King James Version (KJV), public domain in the United States. References were checked against the KJV text from bible-api.com.
Related: Bible verses about salvation · Bible verses about communion · Bible verses about a new beginning · Bible verses about faith · Bible verses about the resurrection of Jesus
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