What Did Paul Teach About Baptism?

In recent weeks we have briefly examined what was taught about baptism by Jesus and also by Peter. This week we begin looking at what the apostle Paul practiced and taught in regards to baptism. Next week, Lord willing, we will consider more of what Paul instructs us regarding baptism.

And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost. And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized.

Acts 9:17-18 (KJV)

The Lord appeared to Paul on the road to Damascus. Paul was told to go into the city and he would be given instructions on what he must do. (Acts 9:6) When he arrives in the city, he is met by Ananias and is baptized. One of the things which was required of Paul was baptism. Just as the Lord required Paul to be baptized, we must be baptized as well.

When Paul relates this even in Acts 22:1-21, he records that he was baptized that his sins would be washed away. While many speak of Paul being converted on the road to Damascus, the fact is that he did not convert and have his sins removed until he was already in Damascus, and submitted to the Lord in baptism.

And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which worshipped God, heard us: whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul. And when she was baptized, and her household, she besought us, saying, If ye have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house, and abide there. And she constrained us.

Acts 16:14-15 (KJV)

First, we see that Lydia paid attention to what Paul taught. And we see that her reaction to what Paul taught was to be baptized. Evidently, part of the instruction given by Paul regarded baptism. Second, we see that Lydia observed that baptism was part of being faithful to the Lord. Just as Jesus had taught baptism, so did Paul. And in obeying this command, Lydia did not follow Paul, but Christ.

And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. And they spake unto him the word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house. And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway.

Acts 16:31-33 (KJV)

In verse 30 of Acts 16, the Philippian jailer asked what he must do to be saved. Paul and Silas instruct him to believe, and then baptized him. Faith is essential to salvation. However, we are not saved by faith alone (James 2:24), but through our faithful obedience and submission to the will of God. The faith being spoken of here is not a superficial belief, but a deep faith of one who is willing to act on it. To this end, they command the Philippian jailer to be baptized, and he and his household obeys the gospel.

As noted last week when observing the baptism of Cornelius and his household, the term does not inherently mean that there were small children or infants in the household. Once again, notice how faith is stressed in the instructions given by Paul. Faith is necessary to truly submit to the lord and obey in baptism.

And he departed thence, and entered into a certain man's house, named Justus, one that worshipped God, whose house joined hard to the synagogue. And Crispus, the chief ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord with all his house; and many of the Corinthians hearing believed, and were baptized.

Acts 18:7-8 (KJV)

In this passage we see Paul preaching. Paul's preaching is received, by some, with belief. Based on that faith, many of the Corinthians are baptized. It seems clear that Paul's preaching of the gospel included baptism, as they responded to his teaching. Again, “with all his house” does not necessarily imply that children or infants were baptized. We see once again that it is those who hear the word that was preached by Paul and believe it that were baptized.

He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost. And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism. Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus. When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.

Acts 19:2-6 (KJV)

There are several things about baptism we can learn from this passage. First, there was a difference between the baptism of John and Christ's baptism, with baptism into Christ being obviously superior. As we see here, it was necessary for them to receive baptism into Christ. Second, we see that baptism is once again performed by the authority and will of the Lord Jesus. Paul did not give this instruction to the Ephesians of his own accord, but rather, passed on the instructions and performed the actions as required by Christ. We also see that the spiritual gifts from the Holy Spirit did not come at the moment of immersion or conversion, but from the laying on of an apostle's hands. As the apostles have long since passed from this earth, we cannot expect to receive the spiritual gifts shown here upon our conversion.

This week we considered Paul's teaching and actions regarding baptism in the book of Acts. Lord willing, next week we will examine what Paul taught on the subject in his letters. Hopefully by now you are seeing the uniformity of teaching and practice among Christ and His disciples on the subject of baptism.