Bible verses for baptism
Jesus began His public ministry by being baptized in the Jordan, and before He returned to the Father He sent His disciples to make disciples of all nations and baptize them. In the New Testament, baptism goes together with repentance, faith and a new life: the one who is baptized belongs to Christ and shares in His death and resurrection.
Christians practice baptism in different ways. Many churches baptize the infants of believing parents, others baptize those who can confess their faith for themselves, and some immerse while others pour water. These verses fit both a baby’s baptism and an adult’s baptism day.
The first two groups show what the Bible says about baptism. The last one gathers short verses often chosen as a baptism verse for a card, a candle or a certificate.
Jesus’ baptism and His command
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.
Matt 3:16–17 · King James Version (1769)
Jesus did not need to be cleansed from sin, but, as Matthew Henry notes, He humbled Himself and was baptized to fulfill all righteousness (Matthew 3:15). At His baptism the Father speaks, the Spirit comes down and the Son stands in the water.
Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
Matt 28:19 · King James Version (1769)
Jesus’ last command to His disciples. Jamieson, Fausset and Brown point out that “teach” here means “make disciples,” and that the baptized are baptized into the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, that is, into belonging to the triune God.
Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
Acts 2:38 · King James Version (1769)
This was Peter’s answer on the day of Pentecost to people who asked what they should do. They were to repent and openly confess Jesus as the Messiah by being baptized in His name.
What baptism means
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.
Rom 6:3–4 · King James Version (1769)
Matthew Henry explains that baptism teaches us to die to sin, to be buried from our old ungodly ways and to rise to walk with God in a new life. Just as Christ was raised from the dead, those who belong to Him begin a new way of living.
For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
Gal 3:27 · King James Version (1769)
Paul pictures Christ as a garment that believers put on. Commentators read the verse differently: John MacArthur sees here a spiritual union with Christ rather than the water rite itself, while William MacDonald says that this union is confessed in water baptism, as a soldier shows which army he belongs to by putting on its uniform.
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.
Col 2:12 · King James Version (1769)
Here baptism is a burial of the old life and a rising with Christ. Paul adds that this happens through faith in the power of God, who raised Christ from the dead.
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:
1 Pet 3:21 · King James Version (1769)
Peter compares baptism with Noah’s rescue through the flood. He adds at once that it is not the washing of dirt from the body that saves, but a good conscience turned to God, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
2 Cor 5:17 · King James Version (1769)
This verse is not about baptism directly, but it is often chosen for a baptism because it describes the new life. The word “new” here, as Jamieson, Fausset and Brown note, means something altogether different from what was before.
Short verses for a baptism card
These verses are often chosen as a baptism verse: for a card, a candle, a certificate or a baby’s first Bible.
But now thus saith the LORD that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine.
Isa 43:1 · King James Version (1769)
God first spoke these words to Israel, whom He had formed and redeemed. At a baptism, when a name is spoken, the promise reminds us that God knows each of His people by name.
For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.
Ps 91:11 · King James Version (1769)
One of the best-loved baptism verses. The psalm encourages those who trust in God: He gives His angels charge to keep His people on all their ways.
Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.
Josh 1:9 · King James Version (1769)
God spoke these words to Joshua as he faced a great task. They suit a child or an adult at the start of a life with God: wherever the road goes, the Lord goes too.
The LORD bless thee, and keep thee: The LORD make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: The LORD lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.
Num 6:24–26 · King James Version (1769)
The priestly blessing that God Himself gave to Aaron. Matthew Henry calls it the substance and sum total of all blessings: God’s protection, His favor like the light of His face, and His peace.
But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.
Matt 19:14 · King James Version (1769)
Parents often choose this verse for a child’s baptism or blessing. Commentators differ here as well: Albert Barnes saw in it a reason for parents to give their children to God in baptism, while John Gill held that Jesus’ silence about infant baptism here does not support the practice. Both agree that Jesus welcomed children and blessed them.
Whatever day you are preparing for, may these words remind you that in Christ you are known, loved and made new.