The Gospel of Jesus Christ as HE Taught When He Was on the Earth – Part 6 – Baptism

April 15, 2026 | www.gospelofjesuschrist.blog | River Wilde

Most Christians have been taught the concept of Baptism, yet once again, there are some different teachings regarding this ordinance. What is the correct doctrine that Jesus Christ taught about baptism?

What is the purpose of Baptism? Who can perform this ordinance? How is it performed? Is it intended to be a requirement for church membership? Is Baptism a Commandment from Jesus Christ? Is baptism commanded by Jesus Christ? Is Baptism necessary for Salvation? WHEN should a person be baptized? I was baptized for the wrong reason; do I need to be rebaptized? What about baptizing the dead?

To understand the answers to these questions, let us go straight to the authors of doctrine, and learn what exactly Jesus Christ and His apostles taught about the concept of Baptism.

What is the Purpose of Baptism?

Baptism is a public act of obedience that shows a person has already believed in Jesus Christ and been spiritually changed. It is not what saves a person, but it is a command given by Christ to testify of that salvation.

Scripture teaches that baptism is a picture of death, burial, and resurrection with Christ—“buried with him by baptism into death… even so we also should walk in newness of life” (Romans 6:4). It outwardly declares that the old life of sin is put away and a new life in Christ has begun, serving as a witness to others of faith in Him (Acts 2:41, Matthew 28:19).

Who Can Perform this Ordinance?

In the King James Version (KJV), the authority to baptize comes from Jesus Christ Himself, who commanded His disciples, “Go ye therefore… baptizing them” (Matthew 28:19), giving that responsibility to those who follow Him and preach His gospel.

In the book of Acts, baptism is consistently carried out by believers who are actively sharing the word—such as Philip baptizing the Ethiopian after preaching Christ to him (Acts 8:35–38)—showing that the authority is not tied to a special office, but to being a servant of Christ faithfully proclaiming the gospel.

While God is a God of order (1 Corinthians 14:40), and those who lead and teach often perform baptisms, the KJV pattern shows that baptism is administered by those who believe, preach, and act under Christ’s commission, not through a restricted priesthood or exclusive human authority.

How Should a Baptism be Performed?

In the Bible, baptism is consistently shown as being by immersion, meaning the believer is fully placed under the water and then brought back up. The word “baptize” comes from the Greek baptizo, which means to dip, plunge, or immerse.

This is pictured when Jesus was baptized by John in the Jordan River, where it says He “went up straightway out of the water” (Matthew 3:16), implying He had gone down into it. Another clear example is the Ethiopian eunuch and Philip, where they “went down both into the water” and came “up out of the water” after the baptism (Acts 8:38–39).

These examples show baptism as a full burial and rising again, symbolizing the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, which is why immersion best matches the biblical pattern.

Is Baptism intended to be a Requirement for Church Membership?

Baptism is commanded by Jesus Christ as an act of obedience—“Go ye therefore… baptizing them” (Matthew 28:19)—but it is not presented as a requirement for joining a religion or for salvation, since the KJV teaches that salvation is by grace through faith, “not of works” (Ephesians 2:8–9). Baptism has nothing to do with joining a church, for that is not the intent of being baptized.

Instead, baptism follows belief, as seen in Acts 2:41, and serves as an outward testimony of an inward faith, symbolizing Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection (Romans 6:3–4).

“He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved” (Mark 16:16)

“Then they that gladly received his word were baptized” (Acts 2:41)

Is Baptism a Command from Jesus?

After His resurrection, Jesus told His followers:

“Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost” (Matthew 28:19)

Baptism is not man’s idea—it is something the Lord Himself commanded.

Is Baptism Necessary for Salvation?

The answer is No. This can be confusing for some people to understand, but let me explain it and you can see how this makes perfect sense.

Yes, Jesus Christ has commanded that we should all be baptized. This is very important for all of us to know that our Baptism is His wish and command. But Baptism is NOT tied to our salvation, which is a gift from Jesus Christ, and not based upon our good works, including baptism.

When a person becomes “Born Again” baptism is a time to publicly show that person’s commitment to Jesus Christ. It is an outward expression of this new rebirth. It is part of this individual’s celebration that they have accepted Jesus Christ into their lives, and are showing obedience by being baptized. YES, we should all be baptized, as commanded by Christ Himself. 

But here is the important part of understanding where baptism fits into our salvation. When a person becomes “born again,” salvation immediately occurs. We belong to Jesus Christ and are given His spirit immediately! We have, at this moment solidified our place in heaven to be with Jesus throughout eternity.

The act of baptism comes after this. Baptism is a “Good Works” which is not necessary for our salvation…None of our “Works” are required for our salvation. Good works are a RESULT of accepting Jesus Christ into our lives. Baptism is a picture of salvation, not the cause of it. Baptism symbolizes what has already happened in the heart:

Salvation itself is by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8–9), not by any work—including baptism.

This again explains why the “unbaptized” thief on the cross with Jesus was told that he would join the Savior this day in paradise.

When Should a Person be baptized?

This question is fairly simple to answer as you consider the doctrine that Jesus is teaching us.

In the Bible, there is no specific age given for baptism; instead, the pattern shown in scripture is that a person is baptized after they are able to believe the gospel and consciously place their faith in Jesus Christ.

For example, in Acts 8, the Ethiopian eunuch was baptized only after he declared, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.” This shows that baptism follows personal faith and understanding, not a set age—so the right time is when someone is old enough to truly believe in Christ and choose Him for themselves.

I was baptized for the wrong reason; do I need to be rebaptized?

Over the past three years, I have been working with people who have left their lifelong religion for various reasons, and this question often comes up. They realize that their baptism happened at a very young age and time in their life where it was understood as simply being required to join their religion. They did not have a full understanding of the gospel of Jesus Christ; in fact, they had been taught false teachings about salvation.

Many of these people have since come to know the true teachings of Jesus Christ and have become, “Born Again,” now having a complete understanding of the purpose of baptism. They question their original baptism, and feel that it was not performed in harmony with the teachings of the scriptures, and wonder what they should do now.

I can answer that by using the teachings of the gospel that we’ve just been taught. For these people, they should certainly continue in celebrating their rebirth and being baptized (again) as Jesus has instructed us to do. This is an important part for each person’s journey, and outward expression of this new rebirth.

Remember, baptism IS AN OUTWARD CELEBRATION OF OBEDIENCE for those who have accepted Jesus Christ into their life. If you feel that this was not your experience when you were baptized at a young age, I would encourage you to have that opportunity and be baptized, this time with the right intent, so that you can experience what Christ had taught in His teachings about baptism.

But does your first baptism count? “It’s not about rule-keeping to earn salvation—it’s about trusting Him, receiving His grace, and allowing that relationship to transform how you live.” Baptism is not a box to check off to earn salvation. It is not about what counts and what does not. To me, it comes down to if you would like to experience they true purpose of Baptism, and if you didn’t, that opportunity is still out there for you to be baptized again.

What about Baptizing the Dead?

The practice of baptizing the dead does not align with the way Jesus Christ taught baptism, because His teaching consistently presents baptism as a personal, conscious response of faith by a living individual.

In the KJV, baptism follows belief and repentance—“He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved” (Mark 16:16), and “Repent, and be baptized” (Acts 2:38)—both of which require an active decision that the dead can no longer make.

Throughout the New Testament, every example of baptism involves someone hearing the gospel, believing it, and choosing to be baptized in that moment; there is no command, example, or instruction from Jesus or His apostles to perform baptism on behalf of the dead.

While 1 Corinthians 15:29 briefly mentions people being “baptized for the dead,” Paul the Apostle does not endorse or command the practice, but simply references it in an argument about resurrection.

In contrast, Jesus’ teaching emphasizes the urgency of responding to God during this life (John 9:4), showing that salvation decisions—including baptism as an outward expression of faith—are meant to occur while a person is alive, not after death.

But what if those people did not have a chance to be baptized on earth? Jesus answered that scenario personally when He stated that the unbaptized thief on the cross would be with Him in Paradise. Again, Baptism is NOT necessary for our salvation.

I hope that this writing gives you some additional insight into the ordnance of Baptism. As always, when you learn things and want to know if they are true or not, take your studies to God in prayer, and let Him confirm the truth. I can testify to you that He will indeed do this for you, as He has done this DAILY for me. Do you know how freeing it is to trust GOD over any man or church organization? God will ALWAYS tell you the truth!

For those of us who have been deceived by religious leaders, we have learned this hard lesson.

“Thus saith the LORD; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man… Blessed is the man that trusteth in the LORD” (Jeremiah 17:5, 7).

Jesus Himself also “did not commit himself unto them… for he knew what was in man” (John 2:24–25).

“It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man.” (Psalm 118:8)

“Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” (Proverbs 3:5–6)

“Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.” (Psalm 37:5)

“What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee.” (Psalm 56:3)

“Trust ye in the LORD for ever: for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength.” (Isaiah 26:4)

“Blessed is the man that trusteth in the LORD, and whose hope the LORD is.” (Jeremiah 17:7)

“Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid.” (Isaiah 12:2)

There is only ONE Truth…One Gospel of Jesus Christ…One Plan for Eternal Life. This PLAN and Gospel have already been established by God. It doesn’t matter what a person believes, for an individual’s beliefs do not change the truth that God has already established.

When we all die, we will not be separated into certain religious groups. We will not all be grouped together regarding what we believe so that we can continue with the plan after death that we’ve been taught.

Each one of us will proceed under the ONE TRUTH that God has established. ALL Mankind will follow God’s plan. All of God’s Gospel Principles will apply to everyone, the SAME.

Even if a person believes a “church gospel” principle with all of their heart, if it’s not in God’s gospel, the Gospel of Jesus Christ, it will just not even exist in our life after death.

Why is this important to know? It is PARAMOUNT that each of us take responsibility for our own discovery and learning of the Gospel that God has already established.

Do not rely on a church…rely ONLY on God as the final decision maker. God will never lead you astray…and a mortal man or a religion???? Well, it’s been my experience that even my trusted religion has led me astray.

So, NO, do not trust even a man who claims to be a prophet of God, for he may deceive you. You can listen to what they have to say, but always take what you learn to God for your OWN personal revelation, and understanding of the truth.

Be sure to join me tomorrow at www.gospelofjesuschrist.blog , as I discuss the Rapture – Judgment Seat of Christ – Wedding Feast of the Lamb – Heaven. You’ll learn how these all tie together, and will be EXCITED to learn what God has planned for you us the moment we are raptured. I CAN’T WAIT!!!!!!!