Baptism - Power and Purpose

Baptism – What &Why

I’m a little curious of the full significance of baptism in the life of a believer. I was told that it was not necessary for salvation but still very important for a Christian’s maturity. Following some baptism classes that I took before my own baptism when I was fourteen years of age, I understood that baptism was the responsibility of the maturing Christian. A seemingly powerless symbol to declare being “born again” as it symbolized our spiritual death and new life found in Jesus Christ. I was told it was to be a witness to others (usually Christian family and friends), a declaration to them of my choice in following Jesus Christ. That was it…holding no other significance… as much as I understood.

Originally that was enough, to walk in obedience in declaring my faith and love for God. However, the more I read of God’s word, the less this view of baptism meant to me. It seemed like it was missing some of the truth in its purpose and power.

When I was sixteen to eighteen years old (I can’t remember exactly when) I once had to give a report before my church congregation, at a youth baptismal service, about its significance. I found and studied as many Bible verses regarding baptism and its purpose as I could (around ten verses at the time) the week prior to the service. I couldn’t seem to put the pieces of understanding together at that time in my life (thanks to my teenage brain). The night of the service came and all I could think to do was read the congregation some of the verses, confirm the obedience and symbolic nature of baptism and concluded with “I think its important that you all get baptized” hoping that God could fill in the rest. Now, although I do believe God used me in my weakness, nevertheless, that left me feeling quite ashamed at my ignorance and lack of understanding on the subject. And since then I have just held its purpose as an act of faith (nothing wrong with that, but I like to strive on to maturity)

And so now about ten years later and with the help of God’s Spirit teaching me I’d like to look at it again.

Dictionary definition: Baptism - the ritualistic sprinkling of water on the head or immersion of the body into water as an action of initiation, dedication, etc. considered a sacrament (a visible sign of an inward grace) in both the Protestant and Catholic Church.

Through further study I still believe that water baptism is a declaration of oneness (like a marriage ceremony) with God the Father, Son (Jesus Christ), and Holy Spirit. And it should not be forgotten that baptism is a sacrament (a holy command given by Jesus Christ to all those who believe) and should not merely be overlooked because people don’t understand it’s purpose or are to proud and think that they don’t need it to be saved so it can’t be that important. That is an arrogant, rebellious, and disobedient way of thinking about baptism by water. Jesus instituted it, just as He commanded us to remember Him in the Lord’s Supper and to love each other he also commanded us to baptize and be baptized.

Here are a few more things I’ve learned about the purpose and power of baptism. I put it in point form so as not to have to write a book and it does require some Bible studying on the part of the reader. The purposes for baptism are underlined under the sub headings of water baptism and the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Supporting verses are found under each purpose. All in all I hope it’s a blessing, from God and not just me.



Baptism - Power and Purpose
As found in scripture

Baptism by/in/through Water

Sanctification/consecration (being set apart for God)-
In the Israelites baptism by Moses (1 cor.10:2-13)
In the Anointing the Levites (Lev.8:6)
Israel by blood (Ex.24:6-8)
In the baptism of Jonah
Baptism of believers in Jesus (1 Cor.6:11)

Cleansing (from past sins and unholiness)-
In the Flood
In the Levitical Laws (Num.19)
Israel (Lev.14:8 and throughout Num.8:6-8&19:7)
In the baptism of Jonah
Baptism of believers in Jesus (1 Cor.6:11, Eph.5:25-26, Acts 22:16, Heb.10:22)

Repentance-
In the baptism of John (Acts 13:24&19:4, Matt.3:6&11, Mk.1:4&8, Lk.3:3)
In the baptism of Jonah
In the baptism of believers in Jesus (Jn. 3:22&4:1-2, Acts 2:38&19:4-6)

Obedience-
(Obeying God’s command then undergoing baptism)
The Flood (Noah building the ark)
The Israelites (taking Passover/leaving Egypt)
Death of Jesus (Lk.12:50, Matt.20:22, Mrk.10:38)
The baptism of believers in Jesus (Acts 2:38&10:48&19:1-6&22:16)

Discipleship/Kinship (to God or man)-
In the Israelites baptism by Moses
In the baptism of John (Acts 18:25, Acts 19:3)
Baptism of believers (Matt.28:19, Jn.4:1-2, Gal 3:26-28, Acts 19:5, 1Cor.1:12-15)
In the anointing of the Levites

Joining in Christ’s death and victory leading to life/freedom from sin/death(and the curse)-
The Flood (1 Peter 3:18-21)
In the Israelites baptism by Moses (1 cor.10:2-13)
Baptism of believers (Rom.6:2-4, Col.2:12)
Jonah (ch 2 ending with his proclamation “salvation is from the Lord” which is what the name Jesus means)


A sign of God’s faithfulness-
Baptism of Jesus (Matt 3:16)
Death of Jesus (Lk.12:50, Matt.20:22, Mrk.10:38)
The baptism of believers in Jesus (Mk.16:16)
In the Israelites baptism by Moses (1 cor.10:2-13)

A declaration of faith/placing of oneself under authority-
In the anointing of the Levites
In the anointing of the Kings (1Sam.16:13)
Baptism of Jesus (Lk.12:50)
In the Israelites baptism by Moses
The baptism of Jesus (by John the Baptist)
In the baptism of John (Acts 19:3, Lk.7:29-30)
The baptism in Jesus of believers (Mk.16:16, Acts 18:8, 1Pet. 3:21, 1Cor.1:12-15)
The baptism of Jonah (Ch 2)

Judgment-
In the Flood (2 Peter 3:5-6)
Jonah in the sea (read Jonah)
Death of Jesus (Lk.12:50, Matt.20:22, Mrk.10:38)
Baptism of believers in Jesus (Rom.6:2-4)

A sign/promise given by God of Salvation/Redemption-
In the Israelites baptism by Moses (1 cor.10:2-13)
The baptism of believers in Jesus (Heb.10:22, Mk.16:16, Rom.6, Acts 18:8, Titus 3:5)

A sign of commitment/oneness with someone (like that of marriage)-
In the Israelites baptism by Moses
Jesus to the Father(Matt. 3:16, Mk.1:10, Lk.3:22, John 1:32)
Baptism in Jesus of believers (Eph.5:25-26, 1Cor.1:12-15&12:13, Gal 3:26-28, Rom.6:2-4)

Purification leading to a clean conscience-
Ceremonial washings of Old Testament Law
In the baptism of believers in Jesus (Heb. 10:22, 1Pet.3:21)

A sign/foretelling/shadow of the baptism of Fire/the Holy Ghost-
In the Flood (2 Peter 3)
In the Israelites baptism by Moses (1 cor.10:2-13)
In the anointing of the Levites Hebrews
In the anointing of the Kings
In the baptism of John (Lk.3:16, Acts 1:5, Mk.1:8)
In the baptism of believers in Jesus (Acts 2:38)




Baptism by/in/through Fire/Spirit of God

Sanctification/Purification-
In the Heavens & Earth destroyed by fire & new heaven and new earth coming from God’s Spirit to last forever dedicated to God.(2 Peter 3:7&10-13, Hebrews 12:26-28, Rev.21:1)
The Church/bride of Christ in baptism and receiving of His Spirit (Lk.3:16, Matt.3:11, Mk.1:8, Acts.2:3, Rom.15:6&16, 2Thes.2:13, 1Cor.6:11, 1Peter 1:2)

Cleansing (from sins/curse bringing eternal holiness)-
The Church/believers (Heb.9:14, Is.4:4, 1Cor.6:11, Titus3:5, Ez.36:26-27)

Anointing-
Baptism of Jesus (Is.61:1, Lk.4:18, Acts10:38)
In the Church (1Jn.2:20&27, 2Cor.1:21-22)

Freedom from the Law/sin/death-
(Mk.16:16, Gal.5:1&16-25, Ez.36:26-27)

A seal of God’s faithfulness/promises and Love-
2Cor.1: 22, Eph.1:13-14, Romans 5:5

Obedience-
(Obeying God’s command then undergoing baptism)
Acts 5:32, Acts 10:44-47, Acts 19:1-6

A seal/contract of commitment/unity with God a oneness (like that of marriage)-
(Ez.36:26-27, John 14:16-17,1Cor 12:13, 2Cor.1:21-22&13:14, Gal 3:26-28)

A seal given by God of Salvation/Redemption-
Mk.16:16, 2Cor.1:21-22, Acts 10:44-48, Eph.1:13-14&4:30, Titus 3:5

The impartation of Spiritual fruits/gifts and teaching of truth-
Luke12:12, John 14:26, John16:13-15,Acts 1:8,Acts 2:4, 1 John 2:27, Romans 9:1, 1 Corinthians ch12, Hebrews 2:4, 2 Peter 1:21

Judgment-
John 16:8-11
The world and the wicked (Is.66:15-16, 2 Peter 3:7&10-13, Hebrews 12:26-28, Rev.21:1)
The people of Israel/bride of Christ (Isaiah 4:3-5, Heb4:11-13)
Sodom and Gomorrah (Lk.17:29, 2Pet.2:6, Jude 1:7)


Something interesting I noticed is the many connections between baptism by water and baptism by the Holy Spirit of Jesus Christ. Why get baptized in water? To obey God and to declare your willingness to love, honor and obey Him. To receive His promise of sanctification and to repent and be cleansed, rejecting the old solitary self and become a new person. Just as a husband and wife become one in the flesh so we become one in Spirit with God. Can some be married without ceremony? Yes, but this is God’s plan and He desires us to physically, mentally, and spiritually chose Him.

P.S. something interesting about baptism is the report of the Apostle Peter in the book of Acts chapter 10. Some gentiles listened and believed the report of Peter concerning Jesus and were filled by God’s Spirit and then Peter commanded them to be water baptized. So obviously the significance of baptism is not something to be overlooked by even Spirit filled believers.

“Surely no one can refuse the water for these to be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit just as we did, can he?" And he ordered them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to stay on for a few days. Acts 10:47-48”