LESSON OBJECTIVES
By the end of this lesson, you should be able to:
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Understand why the subject of water baptism has generated considerable discussion among Christians.
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Distinguish water baptism from salvation and the new birth.
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Identify the different baptisms mentioned in Scripture.
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Explain the biblical purpose of John's baptism.
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Understand why Jesus, though sinless, was baptized by John.
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Appreciate the importance of studying biblical practices according to God's original purpose.
LESSON INTRODUCTION
Understanding the Biblical Origin, Purpose, and Ministry of Water Baptism
Few subjects within the Christian faith have generated as much discussion and misunderstanding as water baptism. Throughout the record of history, believers, sages and sages alike have differed on its purpose, timing, mode, and relationship to salvation. Yet, despite these differences, water baptism remains one of the most widely practised sacraments by most Christians in light of Matthew 28:19(NIV):
"Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit."
This course has been carefully designed to provide a clear, balanced, and scriptural understanding of the ministry of water baptism, to answer one of the most important questions every Christian should consider:
Is being baptized in water the same as being born again(being saved)?
The answer to this question requires more than examining isolated passages of Scripture or personal opinion. It requires a careful study of Scripture, beginning with the original purpose for which the ministry of water baptism was introduced.
As MaC Alfreddy rightly observes:
"Ignorance of origin is ignorance of true purpose."
Why the Origin Matters
When the origin of something is misunderstood, its intended purpose is often misunderstood as well. Whenever God introduces a ministry or a sacrament, He also reveals its purpose.
When believers lose sight of that purpose, confusion often follows. Many practices that God intended to point people to Christ have, over time, been misunderstood or assigned meanings that Scripture itself does not give.
For this reason, every serious student of the Bible should begin by asking:
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Who introduced this ministry?
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Why was it introduced?
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What purpose did God intend it to fulfil?
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Does the Bible distinguish it from salvation?
These questions form the foundation upon which this entire course is built. Because:
"Actions are motivated by intentions, and intentions are often motivated by identity."
Consequently, many sincere believers have confused water baptism with the experience of the new birth(being saved). Understanding where a ministry began often helps us understand why it exists. Before discussing water baptism, we must first examine the various baptisms mentioned throughout the pages of the Bible.
DIFFERENT BAPTISMS MENTIONED IN THE NEW TESTAMENT
The New Testament uses the word baptism in several different contexts. Understanding these distinctions prevents confusion when studying the doctrine of water baptism.
1. The Baptism of Israel into Moses
"And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea." — 1 Corinthians 10:2 (KJV)
2. The Baptism with the Holy Spirit and Fire
John the Baptist declared concerning Jesus:
"He shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire."— Matthew 3:11–12
Jesus later confirmed this promise:
"For John baptized with water, but you will be baptized and empowered and united with the Holy Spirit not many days from now." — Acts 1:5 (Amplified Bible)
3. Baptism into the Body of Christ
"For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free." — 1 Corinthians 12:13
4. Baptism for the Dead
Paul also refers to another practice:
"If the dead are not raised, why are men being baptized for the dead?" — 1 Corinthians 15:29
Historical Note
Early Christian writers discussed this passage extensively.
Tertullian believed Paul referred to a practice of vicarious baptism (On the Resurrection, 48; Against Marcion, 5.10).
Epiphanius records that this custom existed among the Cerinthians.
John Chrysostom later stated that it was also practised among the Marcionites.
Although this passage remains one of the most debated texts in the New Testament, it demonstrates that Scripture uses the word baptism in more than one sense.
5. Water Baptism
"For John baptized with water..."
— Acts 1:5 (Amplified Bible)
John himself declared:
"I baptize with water, but among you stands One whom you do not know."
— John 1:26–28
The ministry of water baptism became widely known through the preaching and ministry of John the Baptist, who baptized repentant people in the River Jordan in preparation for the coming Messiah.
6. The Baptism of Repentance
The Apostle Paul explained John's ministry by saying:
"John's baptism was a baptism of repentance. He told the people to believe in the One coming after him, that is, in Jesus." — Acts 19:4 (NIV)
John's baptism called people to repentance and prepared their hearts to receive the promised Messiah.
THE MEANING OF THE WORD "BAPTIZE"
Throughout history, some traditions have understood baptism to include sprinkling or pouring.
However, the Greek word baptizō, from which the English word baptize is derived, literally means:
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to immerse,
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to dip,
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to submerge completely.
While various modes of baptism exist today, the New Testament use of the term baptism and the primary meaning of the Greek word baptizō literally carries the idea of immersing, dipping, or submerging completely.
Who Began the Ministry of Water Baptism?
Although ceremonial washings existed under the Old Testament and within Jewish practice, the New Testament presents John the Baptizer as the divinely appointed messenger whose public ministry centred upon the baptism of repentance, preparing Israel for the coming Messiah. It was this ministry that earned him the title:
John the Baptizer (John the Baptist)
John was the cousin to Jesus Christ and was widely recognised for baptizing people in the River Jordan. John became widely known because of his ministry of baptizing people in the River Jordan.
The Purpose of John's Baptism
The Apostle Paul later explained John's ministry in these words:
"John's baptism was a baptism of repentance. He told the people to believe in the One coming after him, that is, in Jesus." Acts 19:4 (Berean Standard Bible)
John's baptism did not save people. Rather, it called people to repentance and directed them toward faith in the coming Messiah. His ministry prepared hearts for Christ. John’s ministry was so distinctive that history remembers him as John the Baptist (or John the Baptizer).Most significantly, Even Jesus Himself came to John to be baptized at the beginning of His earthly ministry:
Matthew 3:13-17: Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John.
Mark 1:9-11: Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan.
Luke 3:21-22: When all the people were being baptized, Jesus was baptized also.
WHY WAS JESUS BAPTIZED?
A Remarkable Question of the greatest questions in Christian theology is this:
Why did the sinless Son of God submit to John's baptism of repentance?
If John's baptism was a baptism of repentance,
Why was Jesus baptized?
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Jesus had no sin.
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He required no forgiveness.
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He had nothing of which to repent.
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Scripture clearly affirms His perfect holiness:
“He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.” 1 Peter 2:22
John himself recognised this. When he saw Jesus approaching, he proclaimed:
"Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!" — John 1:29–32 (NKJV)
When Jesus came requesting baptism, John, recognizing Jesus' holiness, objected:
"I am the one who needs to be baptized by You." Matthew 3:14 (NLT)
Yet Jesus insisted.
In the New International Version, Matthew 3:15(NIV) reads:
In other words, John agreed on the basis of “fulfilling all righteousness.”
WHAT DOES "TO FULFIL ALL RIGHTEOUSNESS" MEAN?
Before answering this question, we must first understand what the scripture means by righteousness.
Righteousness is measured according to God's own nature expressed through God's character of absolute rightness in all that He does.
The Scriptures declare:
"You are righteous, LORD, and Your judgments are just." — Psalm 119:137 (CSB)
"True and righteous are His judgments."— Revelation 19:2 (KJV)
Righteousness is therefore not merely right conduct. It is the very nature of God expressed in all His ways.
When Jesus spoke of fulfilling all righteousness, He referred to perfectly accomplishing the Father's will and fulfilling everything that God had ordained concerning the Messiah.
The Contemporary English Version captures this beautifully:
"For now this is how it should be, because we must do all God wants us to do." — Matthew 3:15 (CEV)
Jesus' baptism was therefore an act of perfect obedience to the Father's revealed will.
LESSON SUMMARY
This lesson has established several important truths:
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Scripture speaks of several different baptisms.
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John's baptism was a baptism of repentance.
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Water baptism must be understood within its original biblical context.
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Jesus was baptized, not because He was a sinner, but to fulfil the Father's righteous purpose.
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Understanding the origin of water baptism is essential to understanding its purpose.
PREVIEW OF LESSON TWO
To Fulfil All Righteousness
In the next lesson, we will examine in greater detail what Jesus meant by "to fulfil all righteousness." We will also explore the biblical reasons why the sinless Son of God submitted to John's baptism and how this event fits within God's eternal plan of redemption. This study will deepen our understanding of Christ's mission and the true significance of water baptism within the New Testament.
