What Does the Bible Say About Water Baptism?

Acts 2:38 ESV / 38 helpful votes

And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

1 Peter 3:21 ESV / 30 helpful votes

Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,

Matthew 3:11 ESV / 27 helpful votes

“I baptize you with water for repentance, but he who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.

Mark 16:16 ESV / 26 helpful votes

Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.

Acts 22:16 ESV / 23 helpful votes

And now why do you wait? Rise and be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on his name.’

Acts 10:48 ESV / 18 helpful votes

And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to remain for some days.

Acts 8:36-39 ESV / 17 helpful votes

And as they were going along the road they came to some water, and the eunuch said, “See, here is water! What prevents me from being baptized?” And he commanded the chariot to stop, and they both went down into the water, Philip and the eunuch, and he baptized him. And when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord carried Philip away, and the eunuch saw him no more, and went on his way rejoicing.

Galatians 3:27 ESV / 13 helpful votes

For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.

Romans 6:4 ESV / 13 helpful votes

We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.

Acts 2:41 ESV / 10 helpful votes

So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls.

Acts 8:38 ESV / 9 helpful votes

And he commanded the chariot to stop, and they both went down into the water, Philip and the eunuch, and he baptized him.

Matthew 28:19 ESV / 9 helpful votes

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

Colossians 2:12 ESV / 8 helpful votes

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

Acts 10:47 ESV / 8 helpful votes

“Can anyone withhold water for baptizing these people, who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?”

Acts 9:18 ESV / 8 helpful votes

And immediately something like scales fell from his eyes, and he regained his sight. Then he rose and was baptized;

Acts 8:26-39 ESV / 8 helpful votes

Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, “Rise and go toward the south to the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” This is a desert place. And he rose and went. And there was an Ethiopian, a eunuch, a court official of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, who was in charge of all her treasure. He had come to Jerusalem to worship and was returning, seated in his chariot, and he was reading the prophet Isaiah. And the Spirit said to Philip, “Go over and join this chariot.” So Philip ran to him and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet and asked, “Do you understand what you are reading?” ...

Matthew 3:16 ESV / 8 helpful votes

And when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him;

1 Corinthians 12:1-31 ESV / 7 helpful votes

Now concerning spiritual gifts, brothers, I do not want you to be uninformed. You know that when you were pagans you were led astray to mute idols, however you were led. Therefore I want you to understand that no one speaking in the Spirit of God ever says “Jesus is accursed!” and no one can say “Jesus is Lord” except in the Holy Spirit. Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; ...

John 3:5 ESV / 7 helpful votes

Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.

Ephesians 2:8-9 ESV / 6 helpful votes

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.

Mark 16:15 ESV / 6 helpful votes

And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.

Matthew 28:18-20 ESV / 6 helpful votes

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

Romans 6:1-18 ESV / 5 helpful votes

What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it? Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. ...

Acts 16:30-33 ESV / 5 helpful votes

Then he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” And they said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.” And they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house. And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their wounds; and he was baptized at once, he and all his family.

John 3:23 ESV / 5 helpful votes

John also was baptizing at Aenon near Salim, because water was plentiful there, and people were coming and being baptized

John 1:29-31 ESV / 5 helpful votes

The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! This is he of whom I said, ‘After me comes a man who ranks before me, because he was before me.’ I myself did not know him, but for this purpose I came baptizing with water, that he might be revealed to Israel.”

Titus 3:5 ESV / 4 helpful votes

He saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit,

1 Corinthians 6:11 ESV / 4 helpful votes

And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.

Romans 6:3 ESV / 4 helpful votes

Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death?

Acts 8:36-38 ESV / 4 helpful votes

And as they were going along the road they came to some water, and the eunuch said, “See, here is water! What prevents me from being baptized?” And he commanded the chariot to stop, and they both went down into the water, Philip and the eunuch, and he baptized him.

Acts 2:1-47 ESV / 4 helpful votes

When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance. Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men from every nation under heaven. ...

John 1:32-34 ESV / 4 helpful votes

And John bore witness: “I saw the Spirit descend from heaven like a dove, and it remained on him. I myself did not know him, but he who sent me to baptize with water said to me, ‘He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain, this is he who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’ And I have seen and have borne witness that this is the Son of God.”

1 Peter 3:20 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Because they formerly did not obey, when God's patience waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were brought safely through water.

Hebrews 9:28 ESV / 3 helpful votes

So Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him.

Romans 6:3-4 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.

Acts 18:8 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Crispus, the ruler of the synagogue, believed in the Lord, together with his entire household. And many of the Corinthians hearing Paul believed and were baptized.

Acts 16:13-15 ESV / 3 helpful votes

And on the Sabbath day we went outside the gate to the riverside, where we supposed there was a place of prayer, and we sat down and spoke to the women who had come together. One who heard us was a woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyatira, a seller of purple goods, who was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to pay attention to what was said by Paul. And after she was baptized, and her household as well, she urged us, saying, “If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come to my house and stay.” And she prevailed upon us.

Acts 10:47-48 ESV / 3 helpful votes

“Can anyone withhold water for baptizing these people, who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?” And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to remain for some days.

Acts 8:39 ESV / 3 helpful votes

And when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord carried Philip away, and the eunuch saw him no more, and went on his way rejoicing.

Acts 8:36 ESV / 3 helpful votes

And as they were going along the road they came to some water, and the eunuch said, “See, here is water! What prevents me from being baptized?”

Acts 8:35-39 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning with this Scripture he told him the good news about Jesus. And as they were going along the road they came to some water, and the eunuch said, “See, here is water! What prevents me from being baptized?” And he commanded the chariot to stop, and they both went down into the water, Philip and the eunuch, and he baptized him. And when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord carried Philip away, and the eunuch saw him no more, and went on his way rejoicing.

Acts 8:35-38 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning with this Scripture he told him the good news about Jesus. And as they were going along the road they came to some water, and the eunuch said, “See, here is water! What prevents me from being baptized?” And he commanded the chariot to stop, and they both went down into the water, Philip and the eunuch, and he baptized him.

John 14:26 ESV / 3 helpful votes

But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.

John 14:15 ESV / 3 helpful votes

“If you love me, you will keep my commandments.

John 5:43 ESV / 3 helpful votes

I have come in my Father's name, and you do not receive me. If another comes in his own name, you will receive him.

John 4:2 ESV / 3 helpful votes

(although Jesus himself did not baptize, but only his disciples),

John 4:1-2 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Now when Jesus learned that the Pharisees had heard that Jesus was making and baptizing more disciples than John (although Jesus himself did not baptize, but only his disciples),

John 4:1 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Now when Jesus learned that the Pharisees had heard that Jesus was making and baptizing more disciples than John

John 1:1 ESV / 3 helpful votes

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

Luke 13:3 ESV / 3 helpful votes

No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.

Mark 1:10 ESV / 3 helpful votes

And when he came up out of the water, immediately he saw the heavens being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove.

Mark 1:9 ESV / 3 helpful votes

In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan.

Colossians 3:17 ESV / 2 helpful votes

And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Ephesians 4:4-6 ESV / 2 helpful votes

There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

Acts 8:16 ESV / 2 helpful votes

For he had not yet fallen on any of them, but they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.

Acts 4:12 ESV / 2 helpful votes

And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”

Ephesians 2:8 ESV / 1 helpful vote

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God,

57 Bible Verses about Water Baptism