Hear 

¹⁷ "So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." 

Romans 10:14,17

Believe

"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." John 3:16

Repent

"Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent. . . ." 
Acts 17:30

Confess

Be Baptized; and (See below)

Obey

"And having been perfected, He [Jesus] became the author of eternal salvation to all who believe him," Hebrews 5:9

• Matthew
  • Matthew 3:6, 7, 11, 13, 14, 16
  • Matthew 20:22,23
  • Matthew 21:25
  • Matthew 28:19
• Mark
  • Mark 1:4, 5, 8, 9
  • Mark 10:38, 39
  • Mark 11:30
  • Mark 16:16
• Luke
  • Luke 3:3, 7, 12, 16, 21
  • Luke 7:29, 30 
  • Luke 12:50 
  • Luke 20:40
• John
  • John 1:25, 26, 28, 31, 33 
  • John 3:22, 23, 26 
  • John 4:1, 2 
  • John 10:40

• Acts 
  • Acts 1:5, 22
  • Acts 2:38, 41
  • Acts 8:12, 13, 16, 36, 38
  • Acts 9:18
  • Acts 10:37, 47, 48
  • Acts 11:16
  • Acts 13:24
  • Acts 16:15, 33
  • Acts 18:8, 25
  • Acts 19:3, 4, 5
  • Acts 22:16
• Romans 6:3, 4
• I Corinthians
  • I Corinthians 1:10-17
  • I Corinthians 10:2 
  • I Corinthians 12:13
  • I Corinthians 15:29
• Galatians 3:27
• Ephesians 4:5
• Colossians 2:12
• Hebrews 6:2
• 1 Peter 3:21

Baptism Defined

As one considers the meaning of the word "baptism," he or she must turn to the proper source to obtain the Biblical definition of baptism. It is folly for one to turn to our modern English dictionaries to obtain the Bible definition because the English language evolves over time and the meaning of words change. The Bible, however, does not change (Malachi 3:6), but is our constant guide to salvation.

Furthermore, most English dictionaries define words as they are currently used. To illustrate this point, most English dictionaries define baptism as sprinkling, pouring, or immersion. Sprinkling and pouring, however, did not become acceptable for baptism until centuries after Christ died.

Prior to the Bible's translation into English, the English language had no word for baptism. Our English word "baptism" comes from the Greek word "baptizo."(The New Testament of the Bible, where we find the references to baptism, was originally written in Koine Greek.) Baptizo does not mean sprinkling or pouring, but immersion. The Koine Greek language had a separate word for sprinkling, "rhantizo." [Vine's Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words (Mac Donald Publishing Company)] Similarly, the Greek word for "pour" is "epicheo." [Vine's Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words (Mac Donald Publishing Company)]

How do widely accepted sources of Biblical concordances and Greek lexicons define baptism?

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (Abingdon Press 1986) defines baptism as follows: "to make whelmed (i.e. fully wet)."

Vine's Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words (Mac Donald Publishing Company) defines baptism, as "used in the N.T.," as meaning referring to "washing oneself," and refers to the story of Naaman who was commanded in the Old Testament to "dip himself" seven times in the Jordan River. (2 Kings 5:14)

Thus in the Bible, "baptism" means immersion; it means whoever is baptized must get totally under the surface of the water. In his letters to both the Romans and the Colossians, Paul writes that in baptism we are "buried with" Christ (Romans 6:4; Colossians 2:12), and when we rise out of the water of baptism, we arise a "new man" with Christ and share in the glory of His resurrection from death (Romans 6:1-14; Colossians 2:12). Do we bury only someone's head? Or when we bury someone, do we only sprinkle or pour a little dirt over a portion of the body? Certainly not! When we bury someone, every piece and portion of their body is completely under the surface of the Earth. Similarly, when we baptize someone, the whole body must be under the surface of the water.

How does the Bible use the word "baptism?"

As one studies the passages listed in the table above, it becomes evident that the Bible speaks about different types of baptisms:

How can there be five baptisms? In his letter to the Ephesians, Paul writes that there is but one baptism (Ephesians 4:5). A study of the passages in the first table above reveals that the baptism of Ephesians 4:5 is the baptism of the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:16). The reasons for this conclusion are as follows:

1. The baptism of the Great Commission was a command of our Lord that was to be administered upon individuals who had been taught the truth (Matthew 28:18-20).
2. The baptism of the Great Commission was administered by men by the authority of Christ (Matthew 28:18-20).
3. The baptism of the Great Commission involved water (Acts 8:36-38; Acts 10:47-48).
4. The baptism of the Great Commission was a command that was needful to obey to obtain the remission of sins (Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38).

But what about the other four types of baptisms?

The baptism of John.

Although the baptism of John was for the remission of sins (Mark 1:4) and commanded by God, it was not a baptism into Christ, but a baptism of limited duration - it lasted until the New Testament went into effect (Acts 19:1-6). Notice that the disciples in Acts 19 that had been baptized into John's baptism, had to be baptized again after Christ died. Why? Why wasn't the first baptism sufficient? Because baptism only counts when it is performed the right way and for the right reason. There are four "essential elements" of Bible baptism:

1. The proper MODE: a burial (immersion) - Ro 6:3; Co 2:12
2. The proper AUTHORITY: in the name of Christ - Ac 19:5
3. The proper PURPOSE: remission of sins - Ac 2:38; 22:16
4. The proper SUBJECT: penitent believer - Ac 2:38; 8:37; Mk 16:16

The lesson in Acts 19 is that if you have been baptized, but either improperly (e.g., as an infant, or by pouring or sprinkling), or for the wrong reason (e.g., to join a church, or for repentance), or for any reason other than the remission of sins, it was not sufficient for salvation and you need to be baptized again.

An analogous Old Testament lesson can be found in Naaman (2 Kings 5:1-27). Naaman was instructed to dip seven times in the Jordan River and God would cleanse him of his leprosy. Naaman initially refused because he believed that it did not matter what river he washed in (2 Kings 5:11-12), but Naaman was not cured of his leprosy until he did as God commanded. The same lesson is true for us. We will not be saved until we do as God commands and we should not be so arrogant as to believe that our wisdom or thinking is superior to God's (I Corinthians 1:18-31; Isaiah 55:8).

The baptisms of fire and suffering.

The baptisms of fire and suffering are used figuratively, not literally. The baptism of fire describes an immersion of eternal torment. The baptism of suffering describes an immersion of suffering for the cause of Christ.

The baptism of the Holy Spirit.

The baptism of the Holy Spirit is a topic of needless widespread confusion. Today, we are not baptized in the baptism of the Holy Spirit, but the baptism for the remission of sins. The Bible only describes two incidents of Holy Spirit baptism, the Apostles in Jerusalem at Pentecost, and the gentiles with Cornelius of Caesarea, the centurion in the Italian Regiment (Acts 1:4-5; Acts 2:3,14; Acts 10:44-46; Acts 11:14-17; Acts 15:7-9).

Considering the different purposes between the two baptisms (Holy Spirit versus remission of sins), it is easy to see why we receive one and not the other. First, we need the remission of sins for salvation. (Consider the authority cited above.) Second, the miraculous gifts accompanying Holy Spirit baptism (i.e., speaking in tongues), like all other occasions of miracles, occurred for the purpose of establishing God's authority and power on occasion where approval of someone else (e.g., an Apostle so that gentiles should receive the Gospel). Note that after Cornelius and the other gentiles received the baptism of the Holy Spirit, they still needed water for the baptism for the remission of sins (Acts 10:44-48). Thus, even when one was baptized in the Holy Spirit, it did not occur at the instant of water baptism. In addition, consider the following:

1. Holy Spirit baptism was neither commanded or administered by men (Matthew 3:11).
2. In the Bible, men did not know when Holy Spirit baptism would occur (Acts 1:4-8; Acts 2:2-4; Acts 10:44-45).
3. There is no command in the Bible that everyone should receive Holy Spirit baptism.
4. Holy Spirit baptism only occurred on two occasions in the Bible (Acts 1:4-5; Acts 2:3,14; Acts 10:44-46; Acts 11:14-17; Acts 15:7-9).
5. Holy Spirit baptism was not for the remission of sins.

Who may (or should) be baptized?

Who are proper subjects for baptism? Not infants or small children because their souls are not in jeopardy until the are capable of understanding God's word. In addition, people who either do not believe, or do not want to be saved are not proper subjects for baptism because without faith, all they will accomplish is getting wet.   (Without faith it is impossible to please God, Hebrews 11:6.)

Who then qualifies for baptism?

1. Someone that is capable of hearing the Gospel and understanding its message (Romans 10:17; James 1:21). 
2. Someone that believes that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God (John 8:24; Mark 16:16; John 14:6). 
3. Someone who repents of his sins (note: repentance is not simply saying, "I am sorry," but is a change of mind followed by a change in actions - see Matthew 21:28-31).
4. Someone who is willing to confess Christ as the Son of the living God (Romans 10:10; Matthew 10:32-33; Acts 8:37; Matthew 16:16).

Why should someone be baptized, and what is the purpose of baptism?

We should be baptized because it is commanded by God (Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:16), and because it is necessary for salvation (Mark 16:16, John 3:3; 1 Peter 3:21).

What is the effect of baptism?

The remission (or forgiveness) of sins (Acts 2:38), and salvation (Mark 16:16, 1 Peter 3:21).

How am I saved, and what saves me?

You are saved by grace through faith.

Despite all of the discussion on baptism, it alone does not save you. Similarly, faith alone does not save you either (James 2:17-26). Instead, you are saved by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:1-9).

Grace is unmerited favor. In laymen's terms, it is a favor God did for us even though we do not deserve it. Does this mean that He will permit us to go to Heaven without hearing, believing, confessing, repenting, and being baptized? No! We must still do all of those things, and obey, and go to church, and worship Him. Just because we do all of these things does not mean that the gift of grace given to us by God is no longer unmerited, or earned. Instead, by doing all of the things God has commanded, we are demonstrating our faith and obedience.

After we have been saved, continued obedience is necessary to prevent ourselves from "falling from grace" (I Corinthians 10:12; Galatians 5:4; Hebrews 10:26; II Peter 1:10).

(See lesson on grace or on the false doctrine of "Once Saved, Always Saved.")

What is faith?

"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." Hebrews 11:1

Simply put, faith is belief, but belief alone will not save, for even the demons believe that Jesus is the Christ, but they are not saved. (James 2:19)

(See lesson faith or on the false doctrine of "Faith Only.")