20 Wonderful Bible Verses About Baptism KJV

There are many Bible verses about baptism KJV to consider. Here are some Bible verse highlights from the King James version of the Bible about this very important Christian ordinance.

Bible Verses About Baptism KJV — The Ministry of John the Baptist

The first mention of baptism is in the Gospels, which was done by John the Baptist. He was a prophet who preached that people needed to repent of their sins in order to enter the kingdom of heaven. Then, when they repented, he baptized them. John had a powerful, Spirit-filled ministry that brought many people to repentance.

Mark 1:5

“And there went out unto him all the land of Judaea, and they of Jerusalem, and were all baptized of him in the river of Jordan, confessing their sins.”(KJV)

Jesus Himself gave John’s baptism His approval when sometime after the death of John the Baptist, He referred to his work in this verse:

Matthew 21:25

“The baptism of John, whence was it? from heaven, or of men? And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven; he will say unto us, Why did ye not then believe him?” (KJV)

And at another time, when referring to the ministry of John the Baptist, Jesus said:

Mark 1:4

“John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.” (KJV)

Bible Verses About Baptism KJV – The Baptism of Jesus

The most famous person that John the Baptist baptized was Jesus Christ.

Mark 1:9

“And it came to pass in those days, that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized of John in Jordan.” (KJV)

Part of John’s preaching was to tell those who came to hear him about the coming of the messiah, Jesus Christ. John the Baptist said Jesus Christ would also baptize, but not with water. Instead, He would baptize with the Holy Ghost and with fire.

Matthew 3:11

“I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire” (KJV)

This is repeated in Mark’s Gospel:

Mark 1:7

“And preached, saying, There cometh one mightier than I after me, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to stoop down and unloose.” (KJV)

Also this is repeated in Luke’s Gospel:

Luke 3:16

“John answered, saying unto them all, I indeed baptize you with water; but one mightier than I cometh, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire:” (KJV)

The terms “Holy Ghost” and “fire” refers to what was at that time the future work of Jesus Christ. It was He Who would usher in the Holy Spirit and/or if His Spirit was rejected, then the individual would be condemned to the fire of hell.

Matthew 3:13-17

“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? And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him. And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” (KJV)

The Old English words “suffer” and “suffered” means “to allow.” When John recognized Who was asking to be baptized, he hesitated, but Jesus told him to do so, and John obeyed. Jesus, our perfect example, was baptized, therefore, His followers should be as well.

God the Father publicly gave His approval to His Son’s baptism, and the Holy Spirit appeared in bodily form showing the Triune Godhead at the baptism of Jesus.

This is the account of Jesus’ baptism from the Gospel of John:

John 1:32-33

“And John bare record, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him. And I knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost.” (KJV)

Bible Verses About Baptism KJV — The Method

The method of baptism is being immersed in water since Jesus “went… out of the water,” (Matthew 3:16) specifically, up out of the Jordan River. If John would have used the method of sprinkling water, like many denominational churches do, he could have done that anywhere. But he chose a place to baptize where there was “much water.”

John 3:23

“And John also was baptizing in Aenon near to Salim, because there was much water there: and they came, and were baptized.” (KJV)

This verse gives a more specific area of the Jordan River where John was preaching and baptizing. According to this verse, John the Baptist chose this area because of the abundance of water. It appears to be obvious that he was using the method of baptism by immersion.

If Jesus, being our perfect example was baptized —Who needed no forgiveness of sins — we, too, should follow Him in being baptized also. Our public baptism by immersion, shows that we have accepted the good news of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ, and have received from God the Father the forgiveness of our sins.

Bible Verses About Baptism KJV — The Great Commission

Part of Jesus’ last words to His disciples before He ascended up into heaven was to command them to both teach and to baptize.

Matthew 28:19-20

“Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.(KJV)

The act of baptism is a public testimony of an inward acceptance of the teachings of Jesus Christ.

Bible Verses About Baptism KJV — The Apostle Peter

Jesus’ disciples obeyed His command about baptism. The Book of Acts, which is short for the full title “The Acts of the Apostles,” records that the apostles in the early church baptized the new believers in Christ.

In Acts chapter 2, on the day of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit came to indwell Christian believers, just as Jesus promised when he said he would send the Comforter. Part of that indwelling was demonstrated in speaking the language of the different nationalities who were gathered at Jerusalem “from every nation” (Acts 2:5).

Peter preached at this assembly about how the Jewish people rejected Jesus as their Messiah, and instead, had put Him to death. At Peter’s preaching, they were convicted of their sin of unbelief, were troubled in their conscience, and realized they had sinned greatly against God. They knew they needed God’s mercy.

Acts 2:37-38

“Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptizedevery one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.” (KJV)

Peter told them to repent of their unbelief and accept Jesus Christ by faith as their Savior. Then, as an outward show of their inward decision, he told them to get baptized. It is one thing to privately accept Christ as your savior, but it is another thing, and a very important part of obedience, to make that private decision public through baptism.

Later, Peter in his epistle, clarified the purpose of this outward testimony of being baptized.

1 Peter 3:21

“The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:” (KJV)

He explained in this verse that the act of the washing of the water of baptism clears our conscience toward God. Getting baptized is an act of obedience, and by doing so, gives us a clear conscience in knowing that we have obeyed God in this particular area of our lives.

Bible Verses About Baptism KJV — Philip’s Ministry in Acts Chapter 8

The Apostle Philip went to Samaria to preach.

Acts 8:5

“Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them.” (KJV)

The results of his preaching is summarized in verse 12.

Acts 8:12

“But when they (the people of Samaria) believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.” (KJV)

Again, the pattern is to hear the Word of God, believe the Word of God, and after this inward and private step of faith, make it public by getting baptized. Only those thinking and believing adults who had both heard and accepted the Word of God were eligible for baptism. Never in the Bible is the practice of infant baptism introduced since babies cannot understand and receive the Gospel.

After a time of preaching at Samaria, Philip had a unique experience. A eunuch, a castrated male, who was from the country of Ethiopia who served in a royal capacity, was earnestly seeking God. He had made the long trip from Ethiopia to Israel for the sole purpose of worshipping the true and living God at His temple in Jerusalem. God send His servant Philip to teach and to baptize him. Here is the account from Acts chapter 8.

Acts 8: 26-39

“And the angel of the Lord spake unto Philip, saying, Arise, and go toward the south unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza, which is desert.

And he arose and went: and, behold, a man of Ethiopia, an eunuch of great authority under Candace queen of the Ethiopians, who had the charge of all her treasure, and had come to Jerusalem for to worship, Was returning, and sitting in his chariot read Esaias the prophet.

Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot. And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest? And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him.

The place of the scripture which he read was this, He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb dumb before his shearer, so opened he not his mouth: In his humiliation his judgment was taken away: and who shall declare his generation? for his life is taken from the earth. And the eunuch answered Philip, and said, I pray thee, of whom speaketh the prophet this? of himself, or of some other man?

Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus. And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?

And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.

And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him. And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing.” (KJV)

This eunuch, after he accepted Jesus Christ as his Savior, saw a body of water, and wanted Philip to baptize him. This account shows that the eunuch understood that baptism is only for those who have believed on the Lord Jesus Christ, and desire to make their private, inward decision a public testimony. The act of baptism showed that this man had been serious about his acceptance of Jesus as the Son of God.

Bible Verses About Baptism KJV — The Apostle Paul

After God appeared to the man who would be known as the Apostle Paul, he was instructed as proof of his conversion to be baptized. This was Paul’s first public testimony to the Christian believers showing that he, who formerly persecuted Christians, was now one of them. This directive was spoken by Ananias.

Acts 22:16

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

Bible Verses About Baptism KJV — The Philippian Jailer

Later, the Apostle Paul and his friend, Silas, were cruelly beaten and imprisoned for preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ. There, in the prison, with their backs raw and bleeding, uncomfortably chained in stocks, exhausted, in pain and unable to sleep, were singing praises to God instead of cursing their fate. Not only did God hear their praises, but so did the other prisoners. God sent an earthquake, which served as a potential jailbreak, releasing their bonds. When the man in charge of the prisoners realized what had happened, he came to Paul and asked what he needed to do, the very basic question of salvation.

Paul answered his question by telling him to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. After he did so, he not only gave medical attention to the wounds on the backs of Paul and Silas, he also made his acceptance of Jesus Christ public by immediately getting baptized. This incident is recorded in Acts chapter 16.

Acts 16:30-33

“And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? 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.”

The words of Paul to the jailer shows that water baptism is not necessary for salvation. But after salvation, baptism is an outward demonstration and the very first step of obedience.

Bible Verses About Baptism — Teaching from the Apostle Paul

The Apostle Paul, who wrote most of the New Testament epistles, referenced baptism several times. Here are some of what he said about baptism.

Romans 6:3-5

“Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection” (KJV)

This verse shows the symbolism of baptism. Baptism is not the removal of “spiritual dirt.” Baptism, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, is a symbol, a public demonstration showing that you have received forgiveness of your sins from God. Being immersed under the water signifies death, burial — death and burial to your former way of life and thinking, especially in how you view spiritual matters — and  coming up out of the water symbolizes resurrection, both Christ’s and also your faith in your own future resurrection, and living in newness of life.

Paul repeated this concept in this letter to the Colossian church.

Colossians 2:12

“Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.” (KJV)

Bible Verses About Baptism KJV — Importance of Baptism

After studying what God has to say in His Word about baptism, here are the highlights.

• The act of getting baptized does not save anyone from hell, only believing in Christ as your personal Savior does.
• Jesus Christ commands all those who have put their faith in Him to get baptized.
• Baptism is a public demonstration of a person’s inward belief and a public show of repentance.
• Infant baptism is not Biblical.

If you as a Christian believer have not yet been baptized, don’t delay this act of obedience — make the decision to do so today. You will not regret this vital step of obedience.

To learn about another Christian ordinance check out Bible Verses About Communion.

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