The New Testament was originally written in Greek. The word baptise is from the Greek word baptizo and means to immerse, submerge; to make whelmed (i.e., fully wet). This word does not mean to sprinkle or pour.
Should babies be baptised?
Baptism should always be accompanied by faith (belief) Mark 16v16 and with repentance Acts 2v38. We see that baptism is for those who can believe and repent (i.e., a change of mind). Babies are not in a position make such choices.
Baptism Completes What is Right
Matthew 3v13 Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him. 14 But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me? 15 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. 16 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: 17 And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
Jesus Christ, the son of God, who had no sin, was baptised by John the baptist. Jesus said … it becometh us… become means, it is fitting or proper… to fulfil, from the Greek word pleroo, which means to fill up, or complete… all righteousness,… this word in the Greek is dikaiosyne which is often translated as righteousness or justified, and broadly mean to do what is right. So, we see that Jesus was instructing John that baptism is proper and fitting to complete that which is right, or justified.
Jesus has set the example. If he, being the son of God, without sin was baptised, who are we to refuse baptism.
Luke 7v29 And all the people that heard him, and the publicans, justified God, being baptized with the baptism of John. 30 But the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the counsel of God against themselves, being not baptized of him.
We see in the above scripture that the people who accepted John’s baptism justified, (here is that word again), God, whereas, those who refused, were rejecting the council of God against themselves.
Water baptism is a command
Acts 10v47 Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? 48 And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.
When Cornelius and his people received the Holy Spirit, Peter commanded them to be baptised, even though they had already received the Holy Spirit.
Water baptism is a burial
Romans 6v3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? 4 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. 5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:
Colossians 2v12 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.
Repentance is a change of mind, in other words we wish to turn from sin and turn to God, so we symbolically bury our sinful life in the waters of baptism, in anticipation of receiving the Holy Spirit. If we are truly repentant, we will be baptised, as baptism is an act of repentance.
The answer of a good conscience
1 Peter 3v21 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:
We see that baptism is an answer – Greek word – eperotema, which denotes a demand or appeal of a good conscience before God. This is our part in the salvation process, we are appealing to God and then the Holy Spirit then cleanses us …
Titus 3v5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;
All Israel were baptised in water and cloud/fire
The Old Testament is a shadow and example for us to learn from:
Hebrews 10v1 For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect.
1 Corinthians 10v6 Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted.
All of Israel were baptised into Moses (the mediator), in the cloud (a pillar of fire by night – (Exodus 14v24), symbolic of the Holy Spirit and fire (Matthew 3v11), and in the sea.
1 Corinthians 10v1 Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea; 2 And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea;
So it is with believers in the New Testament, all are baptised into Jesus Christ (the mediator), in the water …
Acts 2v38 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.
and in the Holy Spirit.
1 Corinthians 12v13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.
In Hebrews, when speaking of the basics of the salvation message, (the principles of the doctrine of Christ), the apostle refers to baptisms (plural, not singular).
Hebrews 6v1 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, 2 Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. 3 And this will we do, if God permit.
There are no exceptions.
Let’s all do it God’s way
Acts 2v38 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.
Jesus Christ - God's Answer 