7 Baptism Bible Verses to Inspire Your Next Message

Water baptism is such an important moment in a Christian’s new life with Christ. In most churches, it is a celebration as the congregants welcome the new members to faith.

Churches have festive music blasting out of the speakers, balloons with bright colors, and banners with relevant slogans like “Raised to Life,” “Straight Outta the Water,” “Washed by the Water,” “Made New,” “I Have Decided,” and so many more.

The whole faith community rejoices in baptism, as it reminds people of their decision to follow Christ. Watchman Nee coined the saying that “baptism is an outward expression of an inward faith,” inspiring thousands of pastors with a memorable quote, which in turn inspired millions of people to take the next step in showing their faith in Christ.

Every new believer faces the challenge of obedience by choosing baptism, and every pastor faces the challenge of finding ways to renew the message and its urgency.

Here are seven well-known baptism Bible verses you can use on your next baptism day to help you gain traction in your message presentation and communication to new converts.

1. Mark 16:16: Baptism and Salvation Are Tied Together

“Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone. Anyone who believes and is baptized will be saved.” (NLT)

This inspirational piece is all about the alignment of salvation and baptism. In your presentation, you can allude to the closeness of the two concepts. Mark, Peter, and even Paul sometimes seem to present baptism as an inclusive part of salvation. It is the “AND” that ties the concepts together.

Some may not be totally comfortable with the proximity of the two words. Additionally, some churches teach that baptism IS part of salvation and that salvation is not complete until baptism. If you are part of a church that holds on to that, you can easily remind your believers of the high importance of baptism.

If you are not, you can still mention the tagline: ”Baptism and salvation are tied together.”

2. Luke 3:21-22: Believers Follow Jesus’ Example

Baptism is a chance for believers to do as Jesus did. For example, the Bible describes the moment when Jesus goes to the Jordan River to see his cousin John the Baptist, and

While everyone else was being baptized, Jesus himself was baptized. (CEV)

Many Christians believe it is hard to follow our Savior’s example. Although this may be true for some subjects, like loving your enemies or forgiving those who have offended you, getting in the water like Jesus is not one of them!

It is probably the easiest way to do something like Jesus did. Even better, since everyone else was there, Jesus considered it important to be baptized in a public setting.

3. Acts 8:36-37: Believe, Water, Baptism

The Book of Acts often shows you what happened in the early church. Baptism situations were firsts for them. In this story, believers are reminded of the simplicity of the baptism process: you believe, find water, and get baptized.

Now as they went down the road, they came to some water. And the eunuch said, “See, here is water. What hinders me from being baptized?” Then Philip said, “If you believe with all your heart, you may.” And he answered and said, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.” (NIV)

It was a simple process, and maybe, just maybe, it should still be as easy today as it was back then.

4. Acts 22:16: What Are You Waiting For?

“Get up, be baptized, and wash away your sins as you call upon his name.”

This is a forthright statement with the advantage of being a clear question. Indeed, Christians often delay their decision to get baptized because they are waiting for the perfect moment or want to ‘clean up’ their lives before entering the water.

This is one of the baptism Bible verses that addresses both situations. Stop waiting, Peter declares. The perfect moment, the best water temperature, and the nicest day are unimportant. Additionally, you go through baptism’s waters to wash away your sins. It’s like you don’t need to take a bath before getting in the shower!

5. 1 Peter 3:21: A Pledge of a Clear Conscience

Peter, the most direct one of all the apostles when Jesus was on the earth, kept that quality when the Lord ascended to Heaven. In his epistle, he reminds his readers of the importance of baptism to those who diminished it.

Baptism is not just a symbolic bath, a gesture to wash your body illustrating a decision. It is a pledge you are making to God as he writes,

“It (baptism) is not the washing off of bodily dirt, but the promise made to God from a good conscience.” (GNT)

Baptism is a promise, pledge, and commitment to live according to your beliefs. Your actions will now follow the good decision you willingly made to walk the Christian faith.

6. Colossians 2:12: Buried and Raised

Paul emphasizes baptism’s beauty and deep work to the Colossians when he writes,

Having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through your faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead. (NIV)

Baptism symbolizes the death of our old life and the resurrection of a new one, empowered by the faith of God’s work within it. “You were dead spiritually; you are now alive spiritually” is baptism’s message, and it becomes your life’s testimony.

7. Galatians 3:27: Clothed with Christ

This final verse is the epilogue of a book, the cherry on the sundae, and the period at the end of a sentence:

And all who have been united with Christ in baptism have put on Christ, like putting on new clothes. (NLT)

Once baptized, you are now clothed with Christ himself, living a new life.

Reading these baptism Bible verses will inspire your people to get baptized. Baptism is connected to your salvation, and Jesus himself was baptized. We hope this article provides inspiration and reference for your next Baptism-themed message.

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