The Jews practiced baptisms: washings (Mark 7:4) or purifications (John 3:26)
- The washing of a person to restore ritual cleanness
- The washing of eating utensils for ritual cleanness
- The induction of a Gentile into Judaism
The baptism of John
- For repentance for the remission of sins (Mark 1:4, Luke 3:3)
- Performed in water (John 3:23)
- Also performed by Jesus disciples (John 3:22, John 4:1-2)
Figures of Speech
- Unless otherwise given in the context, baptism implies water
- Jesus was to baptize in the Holy Spirit (Mark 1:5-9, John 1:25-33, Acts 1:5)
- Severe trial (Mark 10:38-39, Luke 12:50)
- Dedication (1 Corinthians 10:2)
After Pentecost, the apostles baptized in water, not the Holy Spirit
- Acts 8:14-16
- Acts 8:36-38
- Acts 10:44:48, 11:16
Symbolism of Christian baptism
- Connected with repentance (Acts 2:38)
- Washing away sins (Acts 22:16)
- Connected with the authority of Jesus (Matthew 28:19, Acts 19:3-5, Acts 22:16; 1 Corinthians 1:13-17)
- Symbol of death, burial, resurrection, and a new life (Romans 6:3-4, Colossians 2:12)
- Rescued from an evil world (1 Peter 3:21)
- Ceremony of unity with other Christians (1 Corinthians 12:13)
- Symbol of being immersed in Jesus (Galatians 3:27)
Three odd teachings
- Ephesians 4:5 “One baptism” – Holy Spirit? Water?
- Hebrew 6:2 – Baptism is a doctrine of the immature?
- 1 Corinthians 15:29 “For the dead” – Surrogate baptism?