This bible study addresses the question of whether we really need to be baptized in water once we trust in the Lord Jesus Christ.

The Apostle Peter in his 1 st Epistle addresses the subject of water baptism and likens it to a fulfillment of the typology that was represented in ______ _____

20 when once the Divine longsuffering waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight souls, were saved through water. 21 There is also an antitype which now saves us—baptism (not the removal of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God), through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,

1 Peter 3:20-21(NKJV)

As we look into the Greek definitions the Greek for the phrase “now saves us” in verse 21 does imply that water baptism is more than just an act of faith, but rather takes an active role in our salvation.

The book of Romans tells us that when you are baptized in water you are symbolically being baptized into his _____

3 Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? 4 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 (NKJV)

In the Act of symbolically being ________ into his death, we ___ ourselves.

It’s not that we literally die, but through repentance we die to the sins of the flesh through water baptism, and that death to the sins of the flesh and our fleshly desires allows us to be raised to walk in a new life by the glory of the father, that is, the Holy Spirit!

In the 2nd chapter of Acts, after hearing the preaching of the word they cry out::

Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?”

Acts 2:37 (NKJV)

To this the Apostle Peter answered, “Repent and be baptized” in Acts 2:38

QUESTION: Why would the Apostle Peter tell them this when they asked the question what they should do?

ANSWER: Because the Apostle Peter had received a personal revelation, or an opening of his understanding from Christ himself!

After the resurrection of Christ, Jesus appeared to the disciples and opened there understanding that they might comprehend the scriptures!

And He opened their understanding, that they might comprehend the Scriptures.

Luke 24:45 (NKJV)

EDITORS NOTE: We need to understand that an opening of the understanding that we might understand the scriptures and that only comes through Christ, when he enlightens our understanding to the word of God!

Peter understood the saying of Christ in Mark 16

He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.

Mark 16:16 (NKJV)

Peter understood that if a person is not Baptized they are condemned!

While it doesn’t say if your not baptized your condemned if you apply simple logic to the statement, he who believes and is baptized shall be saved, you understand that if you don’t believe you wont be baptized and hence for those who do not believe they will be condemned

Is this scripture speaking about water baptism?

As you can see this scripture refers to Strongs word 907 which is the Greek BAPTIZO, which is defined as “a making fully wet, the ordinance of Christian baptism”!

That word believe in the Greek is pist-yoo'-o :

Which means: To have faith in, to put your trust in Christ.

If you have put your trust in Christ you have obviously already believed and one of the things you need to do after you believe is to be baptized in water for water baptism according to the scriptures we have read is an integral part of salvation.

If you consider the story of the Philippian jailer in Acts chapter 16, he asked this question in Acts 16:30 Sirs, what must I do to be saved

To this the Apostles replied:

Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household

Acts 16:30 (NKJV)

Many stop here and say all I must do is believe, but if you read on in the scriptural account the scripture says he immediatly baptized the jailer and his family

Believing is just the first part of the Christian journey!

Unless you believe you are unable to partake of any Christian ordinances because they are all done by and in faith and faith comes only through believing, but once faith appears in a persons life they must step out by faith, believe the word of God and be baptized for the remission of there sins.

Water Baptism is a part of that faith journey and you can never be born again without being baptized in water as it is a integral part of the born again experience

[Return to Study Page]