Faith & Reason Nexus

In Acts 19:3, Paul asks the question, “Into what then were you baptized?” This question emphasizes the importance of the object and the purpose of baptism, which is a significant part of the believer’s relationship with Christ. The New Testament teaches that baptism is not just a symbolic act but a means of being united with Christ in various ways.

Baptized Into Christ

• 2 Timothy 2:10 – “Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.”
• Colossians 1:14 – “In whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.”
• Ephesians 1:3 – “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.”

Baptism brings the believer into Christ, where the fullness of salvation, redemption, and spiritual blessings are found.

Baptized Into His Body

• Galatians 3:27 – “For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.”
• 1 Corinthians 12:13 – “For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink.”
• Ephesians 5:23 – “For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior.”

Baptism places the believer into the body of Christ, the Church, uniting them with all believers and making them part of Christ’s spiritual family.

Baptized Into His Death

• Romans 6:3 – “Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death?”
• Colossians 1:22 – “But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation.”
• Ephesians 2:13 – “But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ.”

Baptism connects the believer into Christ’s death, symbolizing the believer’s identification with His sacrifice and the forgiveness of sins that comes through His atoning work.

Baptized Into His Name

• Matthew 28:20 – “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”
• Luke 24:47 – “And repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.”
• Acts 4:12 – “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”
• Acts 10:43 – “All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.”

Baptism is performed into the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, signifying the believer’s identification with the triune God.

What a joy to be baptized into Christ! Baptism is not just a ritual; it is a powerful spiritual event where the believer is united with Christ in His death, burial, and resurrection, becoming part of His body and receiving all the blessings that come from being in Christ.