Practice of baptism

Baptism is ordained by Jesus Christ himself

Matthew 28:19 NKJV

Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,

See also Ac 9:17–18; Ac 16:14–15

Baptism is linked with repentance

Acts 2:38 NKJV

Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

See also Heb 6:1–2 The “baptisms” referred to here may imply teaching about Jewish rituals or the baptism offered by John the Baptist.

Passages apparently negating infant baptism

Ac 2:38–41 infants cannot repent and believe; Ga 3:7 Under the new covenant it is faith in Jesus Christ, not an outward sign, that makes a person a child of God.

Baptism follows the decision to believe

Acts 2:41 NKJV

Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them.

See also Ac 8:12–13; Ac 16:31–33

Baptism in the name of God or Jesus Christ

Baptism in or into the name of Jesus Christ

Acts 19:5 NKJV

When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.

See also Ac 2:38; Ac 8:16; Ac 10:48

Baptism in the name of the Trinity

Matthew 28:18–20 NKJV

And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.

Baptism was by immersion

Ro 6:4 The word “buried” implies immersion.

See also Ac 8:38

Baptism is linked with the gift of the Holy Spirit

Mk 1:8; Ac 1:5

See also Ac 2:4; Ac 11:16

1 Co 12:13 All the Christians at Corinth had been spiritually baptised into Christ and thus united with him.

Manifestations of the Holy Spirit may follow or precede water baptism

Ac 8:12–17; Ac 9:17–18; Ac 10:44–48

The person who baptises is of little importance

1 Co 1:14 What matters is not who baptises but the Saviour in whose name it is done.

Baptism “for the dead”

1 Co 15:29 It is not certain if there was a ceremony of baptism “for the dead” in the NT church, nor whether, if it existed, Paul approved of it.

Passages which may imply infant baptism

The “households” (not merely individuals) may well have included children:

Ac 16:15; Ac 16:33; Ac 18:8; 1 Co 1:16

Mk 10:13–16; 1 Co 7:14; Col 2:11–12 If baptism is here equated with circumcision, this suggests baptism is the sign of the new covenant.