Baptism In The New Testament

Baptism is a controversial topic that has been argued and debated for centuries. It appears that it is not a topic that particularly interests the secular world. Rather, it is different denominations of faith and branches of Christianity that most of the discussion of baptism takes place in. Some of the most common arguments are sprinkling or immersion, re-baptism, is baptism necessary for salvation, and many more. The obvious place to find answers to these questions and arguments is in the Bible. However, it seems that at times what the Bible has to say about baptism leaves us with more questions than answers. An in depth look at the context of the scriptures about baptism and the baptismal doctrine of the New Testament will hopefully provide

In Leviticus 16:4-5, when we read of Aaron preparing himself for The Day of Atonement, it is said that he is to bathe himself in water as just one of the steps of preparation. We also see in the Old Testament, under the mosaic covenant, the Israelites were required to purify themselves by washing so they could remain clean and fully devoted to Yahweh. Another place we see baptism prior to the New Testament is in the practice of Jewish proselyte baptism. Beasley-Murray makes this statement, “The baptismal theology of the New Testament is believed to have had its origin in the Jewish understanding of proselyte baptism” (G.R. Beasley-Murray, Baptism in the New Testament, pg. 26). However, proselyte baptism was for an entirely different purpose than the baptism for repentance by John the Baptist that is seen in Matthew 3:11, and the baptism in the name of Jesus Christ. Although Jewish proselyte baptism

Jesus talks about the Holy Spirit in John 14: 16-17, when he says, “And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.” It seems as though the main way the Holy Spirit is received after Christ’s ascension is through baptism. However, we do see accounts in the New Testament when receiving the Holy Spirit preceded baptism. One account is seen at the end of Acts 10 when the Holy Spirit falls on the Gentiles after hearing Peter preach, and then they were