What Did Other Bible People Teach About Baptism?

In recent weeks we have briefly examined what was taught about baptism by Jesus and by two of His apostles, Peter and Paul. This week we will consider what others in the New Testament taught regarding baptism as the conclusion of this series of articles.

And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.

Acts 22:16 (KJV)

These were some of the words spoken to Paul by Ananias when Paul was converted. The account is first found in Acts 9. The Lord gave instructions to Ananias to go to Paul, and Ananias complied. In speaking to Paul these things, Ananias did as the Lord wanted. And what the Lord commanded was baptism. Ananias was not instructing baptism because he though it was a neat idea, but because it was the Lord's will.

We also see in these instructions that baptism washes away sins. Baptism is not something done as a symbol that one has already had his or her sins removed, but is faithful obedience to have sins removed by God.

This man was instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in the spirit, he spake and taught diligently the things of the Lord, knowing only the baptism of John. And he began to speak boldly in the synagogue: whom when Aquila and Priscilla had heard, they took him unto them, and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly.

Acts 18:25-26 (KJV)

This passage, if nothing else, should certainly show the importance of baptism and of holding a correct understanding of baptism. Apollos was a man who was dedicated, zealous, and knowledgeable. However, his understanding of baptism was not what is should have been. This was important enough that Aquila and Priscilla found it necessary to explain the Lord's instructions on baptism to him. An incomplete or incorrect understanding or teaching on baptism is unacceptable to the Lord, and it should be unacceptable to those who diligently strive to serve Christ.

Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him. But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me?

Matthew 3:13-14 (KJV)

John had, of course, been teaching and practicing what was described as the baptism of John. One of the things worth noting in this passage is what John expresses here: the need to be baptized. He didn't state that it would be preferable to be baptized by Christ, but expressed need. In this passage we see that Christ found it necessary to be baptized. We see that John expresses that baptism is necessary. The conclusion that should be easily reached is that baptism is, in fact, necessary.

Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. And this will we do, if God permit.

Hebrews 6:1-3 (KJV)

The Hebrew writer, in giving instructions on first principles, included doctrine (teaching) on baptism. When we consider the essential nature of repentance (Acts 2:38, II Peter 3:9), of faith (Hebrews 11:6), of the apostles laying on hands (Acts 8:4-24), of the resurrection (I Corinthians 15) and of God's judgment and the eternal consequences thereof (Matthew 25:32-46), it should become clear that baptism is as important and essential.

Moreover, as it is included as one of the first principles, one of the few thing specifically so named in the Bible, we should all be able to come to an understanding and acceptance of it relatively quickly and easily. It should not be a subject in which we spend years of study to understand: it is something that we should be able to grasp and then obey. Some would seem to require great effort and diligence in explaining why the things stated in Scripture about baptism are not to be taken at face value and as they are most naturally and easily understood. The Holy Spirit, through the inspired writer, tells us that it is one of the basics and easily understood.

We have considered what Jesus Christ, the Son of God, taught and practiced regarding baptism. We have briefly looked at what one of His apostles, Peter, taught and practiced when it came to baptism. We examined the apostle Paul's instructions and obedience to baptism. And this week we have looked at what was taught and done by other Christians. Hopefully this series of articles has been of benefit in understanding the nature and purpose of baptism, and in instructing others in what the word of God has to say on such an important subject.