Baptism Baptism

BaptismBaptism in the Bible
Water and Holy Spirit

The Great Commission

Matthew 28:19 19: Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, Mark 16:15-16 15: And he said to them, "Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation. 16: Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. Matthew 28:16-, Mark 16:15-
Matthew 28:16- [ESV] 16: Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. 17: And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted. 18: And Jesus came and said to them, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19: Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20: teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age." Mark 16:15- [ESV] 15: And he said to them, "Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation. 16: Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. 17: And these signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues; 18: they will pick up serpents with their hands; and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover." 19: So then the Lord Jesus, after he had spoken to them, was taken up into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God. 20: And they went out and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them and confirmed the message by accompanying signs.]

Burial and Resurrection in to New Life

Romans 6:3-4 3: Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4: We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. Romans 6
Romans 6 1: What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? 2: By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it? 3: Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4: We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. 5: For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. 6: We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin. 7: For one who has died has been set free from sin. 8: Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. 9: We know that Christ being raised from the dead will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him. 10: For the death he died he died to sin, once for all, but the life he lives he lives to God. 11: So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus. 12: Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal bodies, to make you obey their passions. 13: Do not present your members to sin as instruments for unrighteousness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and your members to God as instruments for righteousness. 14: For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace. 15: What then? Are we to sin because we are not under law but under grace? By no means! 16: Do you not know that if you present yourselves to anyone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness? 17: But thanks be to God, that you who were once slaves of sin have become obedient from the heart to the standard of teaching to which you were committed, 18: and, having been set free from sin, have become slaves of righteousness. 19: I am speaking in human terms, because of your natural limitations. For just as you once presented your members as slaves to impurity and to lawlessness leading to more lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves to righteousness leading to sanctification. 20: When you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness. 21: But what fruit were you getting at that time from the things of which you are now ashamed? The end of those things is death. 22: But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the fruit you get leads to sanctification and its end, eternal life. 23: For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Colossians 2:12 12: having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead. Colossians 2:6-16
Colossians 2:6-16 [ESV] 6: Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, 7: rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving. 8: See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ. 9: For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, 10: and you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority. 11: In him also you were circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, 12: having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead. 13: And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, 14: by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross. 15: He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him. 16: Therefore let no one pass judgment on you in questions of food and drink, or with regard to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath.
Colossians 2:11-13 11: In him also you were circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, 12: having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead. 13: And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, Colossians 2:11-13
Colossians 2:11-13 [ESV] 11: In him also you were circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, 12: having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead. 13: And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses,

Baptism brings forgiveness (linked to repentance/conversion)

Acts 2:38 38: And Peter said to them, "Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Acts 2:36-
Acts 2:36- [ESV] 36: Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified." 37: Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, "Brothers, what shall we do?" 38: And Peter said to them, "Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39: For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself." 40: And with many other words he bore witness and continued to exhort them, saying, "Save yourselves from this crooked generation." 41: So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls. 42: And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. 43: And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. 44: And all who believed were together and had all things in common. 45: And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. 46: And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, 47: praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.
Acts 22:16 16: And now why do you wait? Rise and be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on his name.' (Pauls Conversion) Acts 22:36-
Acts 22 1: "Brothers and fathers, hear the defense that I now make before you." 2: And when they heard that he was addressing them in the Hebrew language, they became even more quiet. And he said: 3: "I am a Jew, born in Tarsus in Cilicia, but brought up in this city, educated at the feet of Gamaliel according to the strict manner of the law of our fathers, being zealous for God as all of you are this day. 4: I persecuted this Way to the death, binding and delivering to prison both men and women, 5: as the high priest and the whole council of elders can bear me witness. From them I received letters to the brothers, and I journeyed toward Damascus to take those also who were there and bring them in bonds to Jerusalem to be punished. 6: "As I was on my way and drew near to Damascus, about noon a great light from heaven suddenly shone around me. 7: And I fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to me, 'Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?' 8: And I answered, 'Who are you, Lord?' And he said to me, 'I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom you are persecuting.' 9: Now those who were with me saw the light but did not understand the voice of the one who was speaking to me. 10: And I said, 'What shall I do, Lord?' And the Lord said to me, 'Rise, and go into Damascus, and there you will be told all that is appointed for you to do.' 11: And since I could not see because of the brightness of that light, I was led by the hand by those who were with me, and came into Damascus. 12: "And one Ananias, a devout man according to the law, well spoken of by all the Jews who lived there, 13: came to me, and standing by me said to me, 'Brother Saul, receive your sight.' And at that very hour I received my sight and saw him. 14: And he said, 'The God of our fathers appointed you to know his will, to see the Righteous One and to hear a voice from his mouth; 15: for you will be a witness for him to everyone of what you have seen and heard. 16: And now why do you wait? Rise and be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on his name.' 17: "When I had returned to Jerusalem and was praying in the temple, I fell into a trance 18: and saw him saying to me, 'Make haste and get out of Jerusalem quickly, because they will not accept your testimony about me.' 19: And I said, 'Lord, they themselves know that in one synagogue after another I imprisoned and beat those who believed in you. 20: And when the blood of Stephen your witness was being shed, I myself was standing by and approving and watching over the garments of those who killed him.' 21: And he said to me, 'Go, for I will send you far away to the Gentiles.'" 22: Up to this word they listened to him. Then they raised their voices and said, "Away with such a fellow from the earth! For he should not be allowed to live." 23: And as they were shouting and throwing off their cloaks and flinging dust into the air, 24: the tribune ordered him to be brought into the barracks, saying that he should be examined by flogging, to find out why they were shouting against him like this. 25: But when they had stretched him out for the whips, Paul said to the centurion who was standing by, "Is it lawful for you to flog a man who is a Roman citizen and uncondemned?" 26: When the centurion heard this, he went to the tribune and said to him, "What are you about to do? For this man is a Roman citizen." 27: So the tribune came and said to him, "Tell me, are you a Roman citizen?" And he said, "Yes." 28: The tribune answered, "I bought this citizenship for a large sum." Paul said, "But I am a citizen by birth." 29: So those who were about to examine him withdrew from him immediately, and the tribune also was afraid, for he realized that Paul was a Roman citizen and that he had bound him. 30: But on the next day, desiring to know the real reason why he was being accused by the Jews, he unbound him and commanded the chief priests and all the council to meet, and he brought Paul down and set him before them.

Baptism Saves

1 Peter 3:21 21: Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, 1 Peter 3
1 Peter 3 1: Likewise, wives, be subject to your own husbands, so that even if some do not obey the word, they may be won without a word by the conduct of their wives- 2: when they see your respectful and pure conduct. 3: Do not let your adorning be external- the braiding of hair, the wearing of gold, or the putting on of clothing- 4: but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God's sight is very precious. 5: For this is how the holy women who hoped in God used to adorn themselves, by submitting to their husbands, 6: as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord. And you are her children, if you do good and do not fear anything that is frightening. 7: Likewise, husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honor to the woman as the weaker vessel, since they are heirs with you of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered. 8: Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind. 9: Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing. 10: For "Whoever desires to love life and see good days, let him keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit; 11: let him turn away from evil and do good; let him seek peace and pursue it. 12: For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayer. But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil." 13: Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good? 14: But even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, 15: but in your hearts regard Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; 16: yet do it with gentleness and respect, having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. 17: For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God's will, than for doing evil. 18: For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit, 19: in which he went and proclaimed to the spirits in prison, 20: because they formerly did not obey, when God's patience waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were brought safely through water. 21: Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, 22: who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers having been subjected to him.

Baptism as identification

Galatians 3:26-28 26: for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. 27: For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 28: There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. Galatians 3
Galatians 3 1: O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? It was before your eyes that Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified. 2: Let me ask you only this: Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law or by hearing with faith? 3: Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh? 4: Did you suffer so many things in vain- if indeed it was in vain? 5: Does he who supplies the Spirit to you and works miracles among you do so by works of the law, or by hearing with faith- 6: just as Abraham "believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness"? 7: Know then that it is those of faith who are the sons of Abraham. 8: And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, "In you shall all the nations be blessed." 9: So then, those who are of faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith. 10: For all who rely on works of the law are under a curse; for it is written, "Cursed be everyone who does not abide by all things written in the Book of the Law, and do them." 11: Now it is evident that no one is justified before God by the law, for "The righteous shall live by faith." 12: But the law is not of faith, rather "The one who does them shall live by them." 13: Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us- for it is written, "Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree"- 14: so that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we might receive the promised Spirit through faith. 15: To give a human example, brothers: even with a man-made covenant, no one annuls it or adds to it once it has been ratified. 16: Now the promises were made to Abraham and to his offspring. It does not say, "And to offsprings," referring to many, but referring to one, "And to your offspring," who is Christ. 17: This is what I mean: the law, which came 430 years afterward, does not annul a covenant previously ratified by God, so as to make the promise void. 18: For if the inheritance comes by the law, it no longer comes by promise; but God gave it to Abraham by a promise. 19: Why then the law? It was added because of transgressions, until the offspring should come to whom the promise had been made, and it was put in place through angels by an intermediary. 20: Now an intermediary implies more than one, but God is one. 21: Is the law then contrary to the promises of God? Certainly not! For if a law had been given that could give life, then righteousness would indeed be by the law. 22: But the Scripture imprisoned everything under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe. 23: Now before faith came, we were held captive under the law, imprisoned until the coming faith would be revealed. 24: So then, the law was our guardian until Christ came, in order that we might be justified by faith. 25: But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian, 26: for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. 27: For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 28: There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29: And if you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's offspring, heirs according to promise.
1 Corinthians 12:12-13 12: For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. 13: For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body- Jews or Greeks, slaves or free- and all were made to drink of one Spirit. 1 Corinthians 12
1 Corinthians 12 1: Now concerning spiritual gifts, brothers, I do not want you to be uninformed. 2: You know that when you were pagans you were led astray to mute idols, however you were led. 3: Therefore I want you to understand that no one speaking in the Spirit of God ever says "Jesus is accursed!" and no one can say "Jesus is Lord" except in the Holy Spirit. 4: Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; 5: and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; 6: and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. 7: To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. 8: To one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit, 9: to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, 10: to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the ability to distinguish between spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. 11: All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills. 12: For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. 13: For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body- Jews or Greeks, slaves or free- and all were made to drink of one Spirit. 14: For the body does not consist of one member but of many. 15: If the foot should say, "Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body," that would not make it any less a part of the body. 16: And if the ear should say, "Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body," that would not make it any less a part of the body. 17: If the whole body were an eye, where would be the sense of hearing? If the whole body were an ear, where would be the sense of smell? 18: But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose. 19: If all were a single member, where would the body be? 20: As it is, there are many parts, yet one body. 21: The eye cannot say to the hand, "I have no need of you," nor again the head to the feet, "I have no need of you." 22: On the contrary, the parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, 23: and on those parts of the body that we think less honorable we bestow the greater honor, and our unpresentable parts are treated with greater modesty, 24: which our more presentable parts do not require. But God has so composed the body, giving greater honor to the part that lacked it, 25: that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. 26: If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together. 27: Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it. 28: And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, helping, administrating, and various kinds of tongues. 29: Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? 30: Do all possess gifts of healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? 31: But earnestly desire the higher gifts. And I will show you a still more excellent way.

Baptism as Typology

Noah’s flood
— The flood prefigures baptism.
1 Peter 3:20 20: because they formerly did not obey, when God's patience waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were brought safely through water. 1 Peter 3
1 Peter 3 1: Likewise, wives, be subject to your own husbands, so that even if some do not obey the word, they may be won without a word by the conduct of their wives- 2: when they see your respectful and pure conduct. 3: Do not let your adorning be external- the braiding of hair, the wearing of gold, or the putting on of clothing- 4: but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God's sight is very precious. 5: For this is how the holy women who hoped in God used to adorn themselves, by submitting to their husbands, 6: as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord. And you are her children, if you do good and do not fear anything that is frightening. 7: Likewise, husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honor to the woman as the weaker vessel, since they are heirs with you of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered. 8: Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind. 9: Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing. 10: For "Whoever desires to love life and see good days, let him keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit; 11: let him turn away from evil and do good; let him seek peace and pursue it. 12: For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayer. But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil." 13: Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good? 14: But even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, 15: but in your hearts regard Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; 16: yet do it with gentleness and respect, having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. 17: For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God's will, than for doing evil. 18: For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit, 19: in which he went and proclaimed to the spirits in prison, 20: because they formerly did not obey, when God's patience waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were brought safely through water. 21: Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, 22: who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers having been subjected to him.
Red Sea
— Israel “baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea.”
1 Corinthians 10:1 1: I want you to know, brothers, that our fathers were all under the cloud, and all passed through the sea, 1 Corinthians 10
1 Corinthians 10 1: I want you to know, brothers, that our fathers were all under the cloud, and all passed through the sea, 2: and all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea, 3: and all ate the same spiritual food, 4: and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank from the spiritual Rock that followed them, and the Rock was Christ. 5: Nevertheless, with most of them God was not pleased, for they were overthrown in the wilderness. 6: Now these things took place as examples for us, that we might not desire evil as they did. 7: Do not be idolaters as some of them were; as it is written, "The people sat down to eat and drink and rose up to play." 8: We must not indulge in sexual immorality as some of them did, and twenty-three thousand fell in a single day. 9: We must not put Christ to the test, as some of them did and were destroyed by serpents, 10: nor grumble, as some of them did and were destroyed by the Destroyer. 11: Now these things happened to them as an example, but they were written down for our instruction, on whom the end of the ages has come. 12: Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall. 13: No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. 14: Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry. 15: I speak as to sensible people; judge for yourselves what I say. 16: The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ? 17: Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread. 18: Consider the people of Israel: are not those who eat the sacrifices participants in the altar? 19: What do I imply then? That food offered to idols is anything, or that an idol is anything? 20: No, I imply that what pagans sacrifice they offer to demons and not to God. I do not want you to be participants with demons. 21: You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons. You cannot partake of the table of the Lord and the table of demons. 22: Shall we provoke the Lord to jealousy? Are we stronger than he? 23: "All things are lawful," but not all things are helpful. "All things are lawful," but not all things build up. 24: Let no one seek his own good, but the good of his neighbor. 25: Eat whatever is sold in the meat market without raising any question on the ground of conscience. 26: For "the earth is the Lord's, and the fullness thereof." 27: If one of the unbelievers invites you to dinner and you are disposed to go, eat whatever is set before you without raising any question on the ground of conscience. 28: But if someone says to you, "This has been offered in sacrifice," then do not eat it, for the sake of the one who informed you, and for the sake of conscience- 29: I do not mean your conscience, but his. For why should my liberty be determined by someone else's conscience? 30: If I partake with thankfulness, why am I denounced because of that for which I give thanks? 31: So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. 32: Give no offense to Jews or to Greeks or to the church of God, 33: just as I try to please everyone in everything I do, not seeking my own advantage, but that of many, that they may be saved.

Jesus Himself is baptized

Matthew 3:13 13: Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John, to be baptized by him. Matthew 3:13–17
Matthew 3:13 [ESV] 13: Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John, to be baptized by him.
Mark 1:9 9: In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. Mark 1:9–11
Mark 1:9 [ESV] 9: In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan.
Luke 3:21 21: Now when all the people were baptized, and when Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, the heavens were opened, Luke 3:21–22
Luke 3:21 [ESV] 21: Now when all the people were baptized, and when Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, the heavens were opened,
Johns Baptism - Repentence
Judgement or Spirit Baptism?
Superstition
"Bapti" Search results


Early History on Baptism

Baptism in the Didache (Late 1st or Early 2nd Century)

  1. Baptize in the Trinitarian Name

    The Didache commands baptism “in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.”

  2. Preferred Mode: “Living Water”

    The ideal form is immersion in flowing water (“living water,” meaning a river or stream).
    If flowing water is unavailable, still water may be used.

  3. Temperature Preference

    If possible, use cold water; if not, warm water is acceptable.
    Early Christians cared about symbolism (cold = purity).

  4. Pouring Is Allowed When Immersion Isn’t Possible

    If neither flowing nor sufficient still water is available, the Didache permits pouring water three times on the head in the Trinitarian formula.

  5. Baptism Follows Teaching (Catechesis)

    The Didache says: “Having first said all these things…” — meaning baptism comes after instruction in the “Two Ways” (chapters 1–6).
    • Way of Life — the life of a baptized disciple
    • Way of Death — the life of sin, idolatry, and injustice
    " The candidate understands the faith before baptism.

  6. Fasting Before Baptism

    • The baptizer must fast
    • The candidate must fast
      The candidate is told to fast one or two days beforehand
    • Anyone else who can should join


Ambrose (4th Century) - On the Mysteries

Ambrose’s mystagogy:


Mystagogy:
  1. Opening:
    Ambrose waited to explain the rites but taught morals before baptism
    2 Corinthians 4:18 18: as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal. 2 Cor 4:18
    2 Corinthians 4:18 [ESV] 18: as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.
     Ambrose uses this to say: You saw water, bishop, deacons — but the unseen God was acting.
  2. Ephphetha — Opening of the ears
    The bishop touches the ears and says Ephphatha (“Be opened”).
    Mark 7:34 34: And looking up to heaven, he sighed and said to him, "Ephphatha," that is, "Be opened." Mark 7
    Mark 7 1: Now when the Pharisees gathered to him, with some of the scribes who had come from Jerusalem, 2: they saw that some of his disciples ate with hands that were defiled, that is, unwashed. 3: (For the Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat unless they wash their hands, holding to the tradition of the elders, 4: and when they come from the marketplace, they do not eat unless they wash. And there are many other traditions that they observe, such as the washing of cups and pots and copper vessels and dining couches.) 5: And the Pharisees and the scribes asked him, "Why do your disciples not walk according to the tradition of the elders, but eat with defiled hands?" 6: And he said to them, "Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written, "' This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me; 7: in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.' 8: You leave the commandment of God and hold to the tradition of men." 9: And he said to them, "You have a fine way of rejecting the commandment of God in order to establish your tradition! 10: For Moses said, 'Honor your father and your mother'; and, 'Whoever reviles father or mother must surely die.' 11: But you say, 'If a man tells his father or his mother, Whatever you would have gained from me is Corban' (that is, given to God)- 12: then you no longer permit him to do anything for his father or mother, 13: thus making void the word of God by your tradition that you have handed down. And many such things you do." 14: And he called the people to him again and said to them, "Hear me, all of you, and understand: 15: There is nothing outside a person that by going into him can defile him, but the things that come out of a person are what defile him." 16: 17: And when he had entered the house and left the people, his disciples asked him about the parable. 18: And he said to them, "Then are you also without understanding? Do you not see that whatever goes into a person from outside cannot defile him, 19: since it enters not his heart but his stomach, and is expelled?" ( Thus he declared all foods clean.) 20: And he said, "What comes out of a person is what defiles him. 21: For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, 22: coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness. 23: All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person." 24: And from there he arose and went away to the region of Tyre and Sidon. And he entered a house and did not want anyone to know, yet he could not be hidden. 25: But immediately a woman whose little daughter was possessed by an unclean spirit heard of him and came and fell down at his feet. 26: Now the woman was a Gentile, a Syrophoenician by birth. And she begged him to cast the demon out of her daughter. 27: And he said to her, "Let the children be fed first, for it is not right to take the children's bread and throw it to the dogs." 28: But she answered him, "Yes, Lord; yet even the dogs under the table eat the children's crumbs." 29: And he said to her, "For this statement you may go your way; the demon has left your daughter." 30: And she went home and found the child lying in bed and the demon gone. 31: Then he returned from the region of Tyre and went through Sidon to the Sea of Galilee, in the region of the Decapolis. 32: And they brought to him a man who was deaf and had a speech impediment, and they begged him to lay his hand on him. 33: And taking him aside from the crowd privately, he put his fingers into his ears, and after spitting touched his tongue. 34: And looking up to heaven, he sighed and said to him, "Ephphatha," that is, "Be opened." 35: And his ears were opened, his tongue was released, and he spoke plainly. 36: And Jesus charged them to tell no one. But the more he charged them, the more zealously they proclaimed it. 37: And they were astonished beyond measure, saying, "He has done all things well. He even makes the deaf hear and the mute speak."
     Ambrose: As Christ opened the deaf man’s ears, the Church opens yours to faith.
  3. Approach to the font
    Rite: Catechumens approach the baptismal pool.
    Genesis 1:2 2: The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. Genesis 1:2
    Genesis 1:2 [ESV] 2: The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.
     Ambrose: The same Spirit who hovered over creation now hovers over the baptismal waters.
    John 5:7 7: The sick man answered him, "Sir, I have no one to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up, and while I am going another steps down before me." John 5:1-9
    John 5:1-9 [ESV] 1: After this there was a feast of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 2: Now there is in Jerusalem by the Sheep Gate a pool, in Aramaic called Bethesda, which has five roofed colonnades. 3: In these lay a multitude of invalids- blind, lame, and paralyzed. 4: 5: One man was there who had been an invalid for thirty-eight years. 6: When Jesus saw him lying there and knew that he had already been there a long time, he said to him, "Do you want to be healed?" 7: The sick man answered him, "Sir, I have no one to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up, and while I am going another steps down before me." 8: Jesus said to him, "Get up, take up your bed, and walk." 9: And at once the man was healed, and he took up his bed and walked. Now that day was the Sabbath.
     Ambrose: If an angel could sanctify water then, how much more the Spirit now.
  4. Renunciation of Satan & the Creed
    Rite: The bishop questions the candidate: renounce Satan, profess the faith.
    Romans 10:9 9: because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 1 Peter 3:21 21: Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, Romans 10:9; 1 Peter 3:21
    Romans 10:9 [ESV] 9: because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 1 Peter 3:21 [ESV] 21: Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,
     Baptism as “pledge of a good conscience.”
    Ambrose emphasizes that the spoken confession is part of the sacrament’s power.
  5. Descent into the water — Death and resurrection Rite: Immersion (often triple).
    Romans 6:3 3: Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? Colossians 2:12 12: having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead. Romans 6:3–4; Colossians 2:12
    Romans 6:3 [ESV] 3: Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? Colossians 2:12 [ESV] 12: having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead.
     Ambrose tells the newly baptized:
    “You went down into the tomb; you rose with Christ.”

    Typology

    • Noah’s flood
    • Red Sea
    • Jordan crossing
    • Naaman
    • Creation
    Each is a “shadow” fulfilled in baptism.
    Typology
  6. Anointing with chrism — Receiving the Holy Spirit Post baptismal anointing.
    Psalms 23:5 5: You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Psalm 23:5
    Psalms 23:5 [ESV] 5: You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
    Isaiah 61:1 1: The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me, because the LORD has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; Isaiah 61:1
    Isaiah 61:1 [ESV] 1: The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me, because the LORD has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound;
    1 John 2:20 20: But you have been anointed by the Holy One, and you all have knowledge. 1 John 2:20
    1 John 2:20 [ESV] 20: But you have been anointed by the Holy One, and you all have knowledge.
     Ambrose:
    The oil is the sign; the Spirit is the reality.

    He also ties this to the sevenfold Spirit

    Isaiah 11:2 2: And the Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the LORD. Isaiah 11:2
    Isaiah 11:2 [ESV] 2: And the Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the LORD.
  7. Washing of the feet (Milan custom) Ambrose defends this local practice.
    John 13:14 14: If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. John 13:14
    John 13:14 [ESV] 14: If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet.
     Ambrose:
    If Christ washed feet, the Church may do so; it increases humility and grace.
  8. White garment — Putting on Christ
    Newly baptized put on white robes.
    Galatians 3:27 27: For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. Galatians 3:27
    Galatians 3:27 [ESV] 27: For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
    Revelation 7:14 14: I said to him, "Sir, you know." And he said to me, "These are the ones coming out of the great tribulation. They have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Revelation 7:14
    Revelation 7:14 [ESV] 14: I said to him, "Sir, you know." And he said to me, "These are the ones coming out of the great tribulation. They have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
     Ambrose:
    Your garment is the sign of your new purity.
  9. Entrance into the church — First Eucharist
    Now Ambrose explains the Eucharist, because they have finally received it.

Ambrose’s theology:


  1. Baptism gives the Holy Spirit

    John 3:5 — “Born of water and Spirit.”
    John 3:5 5: Jesus answered, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. John 3
    John 3 1: Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. 2: This man came to Jesus by night and said to him, "Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him." 3: Jesus answered him, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God." 4: Nicodemus said to him, "How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born?" 5: Jesus answered, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 6: That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7: Do not marvel that I said to you, 'You must be born again.' 8: The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit." 9: Nicodemus said to him, "How can these things be?" 10: Jesus answered him, "Are you the teacher of Israel and yet you do not understand these things? 11: Truly, truly, I say to you, we speak of what we know, and bear witness to what we have seen, but you do not receive our testimony. 12: If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you heavenly things? 13: No one has ascended into heaven except him who descended from heaven, the Son of Man. 14: And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, 15: that whoever believes in him may have eternal life." 16: For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. 17: For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. 18: Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. 19: And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their deeds were evil. 20: For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. 21: But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his deeds have been carried out in God. 22: After this Jesus and his disciples went into the Judean countryside, and he remained there with them and was baptizing. 23: John also was baptizing at Aenon near Salim, because water was plentiful there, and people were coming and being baptized 24: (for John had not yet been put in prison). 25: Now a discussion arose between some of John's disciples and a Jew over purification. 26: And they came to John and said to him, "Rabbi, he who was with you across the Jordan, to whom you bore witness- look, he is baptizing, and all are going to him." 27: John answered, "A person cannot receive even one thing unless it is given him from heaven. 28: You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, 'I am not the Christ, but I have been sent before him.' 29: The one who has the bride is the bridegroom. The friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom's voice. Therefore this joy of mine is now complete. 30: He must increase, but I must decrease." 31: He who comes from above is above all. He who is of the earth belongs to the earth and speaks in an earthly way. He who comes from heaven is above all. 32: He bears witness to what he has seen and heard, yet no one receives his testimony. 33: Whoever receives his testimony sets his seal to this, that God is true. 34: For he whom God has sent utters the words of God, for he gives the Spirit without measure. 35: The Father loves the Son and has given all things into his hand. 36: Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.
     “Washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit.”
    Titus 3:5 5: he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, Titus 3
    Titus 3 1: Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, 2: to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people. 3: For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another. 4: But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, 5: he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, 6: whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7: so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. 8: The saying is trustworthy, and I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works. These things are excellent and profitable for people. 9: But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels about the law, for they are unprofitable and worthless. 10: As for a person who stirs up division, after warning him once and then twice, have nothing more to do with him, 11: knowing that such a person is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned. 12: When I send Artemas or Tychicus to you, do your best to come to me at Nicopolis, for I have decided to spend the winter there. 13: Do your best to speed Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their way; see that they lack nothing. 14: And let our people learn to devote themselves to good works, so as to help cases of urgent need, and not be unfruitful. 15: All who are with me send greetings to you. Greet those who love us in the faith. Grace be with you all.
     Ambrose ties this directly to the post‑baptismal anointing.

  2. Baptism is a new creation

    Genesis 1:2 2: The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. Genesis 1:2
    Genesis 1:2 [ESV] 2: The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.
     He uses this to say: The same Spirit who created the world recreates you in baptism.

  3. Baptism saves

    1 Peter 3:21 21: Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, 1 Peter 3
    1 Peter 3 1: Likewise, wives, be subject to your own husbands, so that even if some do not obey the word, they may be won without a word by the conduct of their wives- 2: when they see your respectful and pure conduct. 3: Do not let your adorning be external- the braiding of hair, the wearing of gold, or the putting on of clothing- 4: but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God's sight is very precious. 5: For this is how the holy women who hoped in God used to adorn themselves, by submitting to their husbands, 6: as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord. And you are her children, if you do good and do not fear anything that is frightening. 7: Likewise, husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honor to the woman as the weaker vessel, since they are heirs with you of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered. 8: Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind. 9: Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing. 10: For "Whoever desires to love life and see good days, let him keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit; 11: let him turn away from evil and do good; let him seek peace and pursue it. 12: For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayer. But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil." 13: Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good? 14: But even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, 15: but in your hearts regard Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; 16: yet do it with gentleness and respect, having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. 17: For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God's will, than for doing evil. 18: For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit, 19: in which he went and proclaimed to the spirits in prison, 20: because they formerly did not obey, when God's patience waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were brought safely through water. 21: Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, 22: who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers having been subjected to him.
     Baptism now saves you… through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.” Ambrose uses this to connect Noah’s flood → baptism.

  4. Baptism is a pledge / confession

    — Confession with the mouth.
    Romans 10:9 9: because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. Romans 10
    Romans 10 1: Brothers, my heart's desire and prayer to God for them is that they may be saved. 2: I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. 3: For, being ignorant of the righteousness that comes from God, and seeking to establish their own, they did not submit to God's righteousness. 4: For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes. 5: For Moses writes about the righteousness that is based on the law, that the person who does the commandments shall live by them. 6: But the righteousness based on faith says, "Do not say in your heart, 'Who will ascend into heaven?'"(that is, to bring Christ down) 7: or "'Who will descend into the abyss?'"(that is, to bring Christ up from the dead). 8: But what does it say? "The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart" (that is, the word of faith that we proclaim); 9: because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10: For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. 11: For the Scripture says, "Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame." 12: For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. 13: For "everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." 14: But how are they to call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? 15: And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!" 16: But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, "Lord, who has believed what he has heard from us?" 17: So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ. 18: But I ask, have they not heard? Indeed they have, for "Their voice has gone out to all the earth, and their words to the ends of the world." 19: But I ask, did Israel not understand? First Moses says, "I will make you jealous of those who are not a nation; with a foolish nation I will make you angry." 20: Then Isaiah is so bold as to say, "I have been found by those who did not seek me; I have shown myself to those who did not ask for me." 21: But of Israel he says, "All day long I have held out my hands to a disobedient and contrary people."
     — “The good confession.”
    1 Timothy 6:12 12: Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. 1 Timothy 6
    1 Timothy 6 1: Let all who are under a yoke as slaves regard their own masters as worthy of all honor, so that the name of God and the teaching may not be reviled. 2: Those who have believing masters must not be disrespectful on the ground that they are brothers; rather they must serve all the better since those who benefit by their good service are believers and beloved. Teach and urge these things. 3: If anyone teaches a different doctrine and does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching that accords with godliness, 4: he is puffed up with conceit and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy craving for controversy and for quarrels about words, which produce envy, dissension, slander, evil suspicions, 5: and constant friction among people who are depraved in mind and deprived of the truth, imagining that godliness is a means of gain. 6: Now there is great gain in godliness with contentment, 7: for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. 8: But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content. 9: But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. 10: For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs. 11: But as for you, O man of God, flee these things. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness. 12: Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. 13: I charge you in the presence of God, who gives life to all things, and of Christ Jesus, who in his testimony before Pontius Pilate made the good confession, 14: to keep the commandment unstained and free from reproach until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15: which he will display at the proper time- he who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords, 16: who alone has immortality, who dwells in unapproachable light, whom no one has ever seen or can see. To him be honor and eternal dominion. Amen. 17: As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. 18: They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, 19: thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life. 20: O Timothy, guard the deposit entrusted to you. Avoid the irreverent babble and contradictions of what is falsely called "knowledge," 21: for by professing it some have swerved from the faith. Grace be with you.
     This is why the bishop interrogates the candidate at the font.

  5. Baptism is washing

    Ephesians 5:26 26: that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, Ephesians 5
    Ephesians 5 1: Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. 2: And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. 3: But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints. 4: Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving. 5: For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous ( that is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. 6: Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. 7: Therefore do not associate with them; 8: for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light 9: (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), 10: and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. 11: Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. 12: For it is shameful even to speak of the things that they do in secret. 13: But when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible, 14: for anything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says, "Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you." 15: Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, 16: making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. 17: Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. 18: And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, 19: addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with all your heart, 20: giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, 21: submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ. 22: Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. 23: For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior. 24: Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit in everything to their husbands. 25: Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, 26: that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, 27: so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish. 28: In the same way husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. 29: For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church, 30: because we are members of his body. 31: "Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh." 32: This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church. 33: However, let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.
    Hebrews 10:22 22: let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Hebrews 10
    Hebrews 10 1: For since the law has but a shadow of the good things to come instead of the true form of these realities, it can never, by the same sacrifices that are continually offered every year, make perfect those who draw near. 2: Otherwise, would they not have ceased to be offered, since the worshipers, having once been cleansed, would no longer have any consciousness of sin? 3: But in these sacrifices there is a reminder of sin every year. 4: For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins. 5: Consequently, when Christ came into the world, he said, "Sacrifices and offerings you have not desired, but a body have you prepared for me; 6: in burnt offerings and sin offerings you have taken no pleasure. 7: Then I said, 'Behold, I have come to do your will, O God, as it is written of me in the scroll of the book.'" 8: When he said above, "You have neither desired nor taken pleasure in sacrifices and offerings and burnt offerings and sin offerings" (these are offered according to the law), 9: then he added, "Behold, I have come to do your will." He abolishes the first in order to establish the second. 10: And by that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. 11: And every priest stands daily at his service, offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. 12: But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, 13: waiting from that time until his enemies should be made a footstool for his feet. 14: For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified. 15: And the Holy Spirit also bears witness to us; for after saying, 16: "This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, declares the Lord: I will put my laws on their hearts, and write them on their minds," 17: then he adds, "I will remember their sins and their lawless deeds no more." 18: Where there is forgiveness of these, there is no longer any offering for sin. 19: Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, 20: by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, 21: and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22: let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. 23: Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. 24: And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25: not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. 26: For if we go on sinning deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, 27: but a fearful expectation of judgment, and a fury of fire that will consume the adversaries. 28: Anyone who has set aside the law of Moses dies without mercy on the evidence of two or three witnesses. 29: How much worse punishment, do you think, will be deserved by the one who has spurned the Son of God, and has profaned the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and has outraged the Spirit of grace? 30: For we know him who said, "Vengeance is mine; I will repay." And again, "The Lord will judge his people." 31: It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. 32: But recall the former days when, after you were enlightened, you endured a hard struggle with sufferings, 33: sometimes being publicly exposed to reproach and affliction, and sometimes being partners with those so treated. 34: For you had compassion on those in prison, and you joyfully accepted the plundering of your property, since you knew that you yourselves had a better possession and an abiding one. 35: Therefore do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. 36: For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised. 37: For, "Yet a little while, and the coming one will come and will not delay; 38: but my righteous one shall live by faith, and if he shrinks back, my soul has no pleasure in him." 39: But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and preserve their souls.
     Ambrose uses these to explain the visible water + invisible grace.

  6. Typology: Old Testament pre-figures of baptism

    Ambrose uses these constantly:
    Noah’s flood — The flood prefigures baptism.
    1 Peter 3:20 20: because they formerly did not obey, when God's patience waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were brought safely through water. 1 Peter 3
    1 Peter 3 1: Likewise, wives, be subject to your own husbands, so that even if some do not obey the word, they may be won without a word by the conduct of their wives- 2: when they see your respectful and pure conduct. 3: Do not let your adorning be external- the braiding of hair, the wearing of gold, or the putting on of clothing- 4: but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God's sight is very precious. 5: For this is how the holy women who hoped in God used to adorn themselves, by submitting to their husbands, 6: as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord. And you are her children, if you do good and do not fear anything that is frightening. 7: Likewise, husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honor to the woman as the weaker vessel, since they are heirs with you of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered. 8: Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind. 9: Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing. 10: For "Whoever desires to love life and see good days, let him keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit; 11: let him turn away from evil and do good; let him seek peace and pursue it. 12: For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayer. But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil." 13: Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good? 14: But even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, 15: but in your hearts regard Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; 16: yet do it with gentleness and respect, having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. 17: For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God's will, than for doing evil. 18: For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit, 19: in which he went and proclaimed to the spirits in prison, 20: because they formerly did not obey, when God's patience waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were brought safely through water. 21: Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, 22: who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers having been subjected to him.
    Red Sea — Israel “baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea.”
    1 Corinthians 10:1 1: I want you to know, brothers, that our fathers were all under the cloud, and all passed through the sea, 1 Corinthians 10
    1 Corinthians 10 1: I want you to know, brothers, that our fathers were all under the cloud, and all passed through the sea, 2: and all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea, 3: and all ate the same spiritual food, 4: and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank from the spiritual Rock that followed them, and the Rock was Christ. 5: Nevertheless, with most of them God was not pleased, for they were overthrown in the wilderness. 6: Now these things took place as examples for us, that we might not desire evil as they did. 7: Do not be idolaters as some of them were; as it is written, "The people sat down to eat and drink and rose up to play." 8: We must not indulge in sexual immorality as some of them did, and twenty-three thousand fell in a single day. 9: We must not put Christ to the test, as some of them did and were destroyed by serpents, 10: nor grumble, as some of them did and were destroyed by the Destroyer. 11: Now these things happened to them as an example, but they were written down for our instruction, on whom the end of the ages has come. 12: Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall. 13: No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. 14: Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry. 15: I speak as to sensible people; judge for yourselves what I say. 16: The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ? 17: Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread. 18: Consider the people of Israel: are not those who eat the sacrifices participants in the altar? 19: What do I imply then? That food offered to idols is anything, or that an idol is anything? 20: No, I imply that what pagans sacrifice they offer to demons and not to God. I do not want you to be participants with demons. 21: You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons. You cannot partake of the table of the Lord and the table of demons. 22: Shall we provoke the Lord to jealousy? Are we stronger than he? 23: "All things are lawful," but not all things are helpful. "All things are lawful," but not all things build up. 24: Let no one seek his own good, but the good of his neighbor. 25: Eat whatever is sold in the meat market without raising any question on the ground of conscience. 26: For "the earth is the Lord's, and the fullness thereof." 27: If one of the unbelievers invites you to dinner and you are disposed to go, eat whatever is set before you without raising any question on the ground of conscience. 28: But if someone says to you, "This has been offered in sacrifice," then do not eat it, for the sake of the one who informed you, and for the sake of conscience- 29: I do not mean your conscience, but his. For why should my liberty be determined by someone else's conscience? 30: If I partake with thankfulness, why am I denounced because of that for which I give thanks? 31: So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. 32: Give no offense to Jews or to Greeks or to the church of God, 33: just as I try to please everyone in everything I do, not seeking my own advantage, but that of many, that they may be saved.
    Jordan crossing — Israel enters the Promised Land through water.
    Joshua 3:10-16 10: And Joshua said, "Here is how you shall know that the living God is among you and that he will without fail drive out from before you the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Hivites, the Perizzites, the Girgashites, the Amorites, and the Jebusites. 11: Behold, the ark of the covenant of the Lord of all the earth is passing over before you into the Jordan. 12: Now therefore take twelve men from the tribes of Israel, from each tribe a man. 13: And when the soles of the feet of the priests bearing the ark of the LORD, the Lord of all the earth, shall rest in the waters of the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan shall be cut off from flowing, and the waters coming down from above shall stand in one heap." 14: So when the people set out from their tents to pass over the Jordan with the priests bearing the ark of the covenant before the people, 15: and as soon as those bearing the ark had come as far as the Jordan, and the feet of the priests bearing the ark were dipped in the brink of the water (now the Jordan overflows all its banks throughout the time of harvest), 16: the waters coming down from above stood and rose up in a heap very far away, at Adam, the city that is beside Zarethan, and those flowing down toward the Sea of the Arabah, the Salt Sea, were completely cut off. And the people passed over opposite Jericho. Joshua 3
    Joshua 3 1: Then Joshua rose early in the morning and they set out from Shittim. And they came to the Jordan, he and all the people of Israel, and lodged there before they passed over. 2: At the end of three days the officers went through the camp 3: and commanded the people, "As soon as you see the ark of the covenant of the LORD your God being carried by the Levitical priests, then you shall set out from your place and follow it. 4: Yet there shall be a distance between you and it, about 2,000 cubits in length. Do not come near it, in order that you may know the way you shall go, for you have not passed this way before." 5: Then Joshua said to the people, "Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the LORD will do wonders among you." 6: And Joshua said to the priests, "Take up the ark of the covenant and pass on before the people." So they took up the ark of the covenant and went before the people. 7: The LORD said to Joshua, "Today I will begin to exalt you in the sight of all Israel, that they may know that, as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. 8: And as for you, command the priests who bear the ark of the covenant, 'When you come to the brink of the waters of the Jordan, you shall stand still in the Jordan.'" 9: And Joshua said to the people of Israel, "Come here and listen to the words of the LORD your God." 10: And Joshua said, "Here is how you shall know that the living God is among you and that he will without fail drive out from before you the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Hivites, the Perizzites, the Girgashites, the Amorites, and the Jebusites. 11: Behold, the ark of the covenant of the Lord of all the earth is passing over before you into the Jordan. 12: Now therefore take twelve men from the tribes of Israel, from each tribe a man. 13: And when the soles of the feet of the priests bearing the ark of the LORD, the Lord of all the earth, shall rest in the waters of the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan shall be cut off from flowing, and the waters coming down from above shall stand in one heap." 14: So when the people set out from their tents to pass over the Jordan with the priests bearing the ark of the covenant before the people, 15: and as soon as those bearing the ark had come as far as the Jordan, and the feet of the priests bearing the ark were dipped in the brink of the water (now the Jordan overflows all its banks throughout the time of harvest), 16: the waters coming down from above stood and rose up in a heap very far away, at Adam, the city that is beside Zarethan, and those flowing down toward the Sea of the Arabah, the Salt Sea, were completely cut off. And the people passed over opposite Jericho. 17: Now the priests bearing the ark of the covenant of the LORD stood firmly on dry ground in the midst of the Jordan, and all Israel was passing over on dry ground until all the nation finished passing over the Jordan.
    Naaman — Cleansed by washing.
    2 Kings 5:1-3 1: Naaman, commander of the army of the king of Syria, was a great man with his master and in high favor, because by him the LORD had given victory to Syria. He was a mighty man of valor, but he was a leper. 2: Now the Syrians on one of their raids had carried off a little girl from the land of Israel, and she worked in the service of Naaman's wife. 3: She said to her mistress, "Would that my lord were with the prophet who is in Samaria! He would cure him of his leprosy." 2 Kings 5:10-14 10: And Elisha sent a messenger to him, saying, "Go and wash in the Jordan seven times, and your flesh shall be restored, and you shall be clean." 11: But Naaman was angry and went away, saying, "Behold, I thought that he would surely come out to me and stand and call upon the name of the LORD his God, and wave his hand over the place and cure the leper. 12: Are not Abana and Pharpar, the rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? Could I not wash in them and be clean?" So he turned and went away in a rage. 13: But his servants came near and said to him, "My father, it is a great word the prophet has spoken to you; will you not do it? Has he actually said to you, 'Wash, and be clean'?" 14: So he went down and dipped himself seven times in the Jordan, according to the word of the man of God, and his flesh was restored like the flesh of a little child, and he was clean. 2 Kings 5
    2 Kings 5 1: Naaman, commander of the army of the king of Syria, was a great man with his master and in high favor, because by him the LORD had given victory to Syria. He was a mighty man of valor, but he was a leper. 2: Now the Syrians on one of their raids had carried off a little girl from the land of Israel, and she worked in the service of Naaman's wife. 3: She said to her mistress, "Would that my lord were with the prophet who is in Samaria! He would cure him of his leprosy." 4: So Naaman went in and told his lord, "Thus and so spoke the girl from the land of Israel." 5: And the king of Syria said, "Go now, and I will send a letter to the king of Israel." So he went, taking with him ten talents of silver, six thousand shekels of gold, and ten changes of clothes. 6: And he brought the letter to the king of Israel, which read, "When this letter reaches you, know that I have sent to you Naaman my servant, that you may cure him of his leprosy." 7: And when the king of Israel read the letter, he tore his clothes and said, "Am I God, to kill and to make alive, that this man sends word to me to cure a man of his leprosy? Only consider, and see how he is seeking a quarrel with me." 8: But when Elisha the man of God heard that the king of Israel had torn his clothes, he sent to the king, saying, "Why have you torn your clothes? Let him come now to me, that he may know that there is a prophet in Israel." 9: So Naaman came with his horses and chariots and stood at the door of Elisha's house. 10: And Elisha sent a messenger to him, saying, "Go and wash in the Jordan seven times, and your flesh shall be restored, and you shall be clean." 11: But Naaman was angry and went away, saying, "Behold, I thought that he would surely come out to me and stand and call upon the name of the LORD his God, and wave his hand over the place and cure the leper. 12: Are not Abana and Pharpar, the rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? Could I not wash in them and be clean?" So he turned and went away in a rage. 13: But his servants came near and said to him, "My father, it is a great word the prophet has spoken to you; will you not do it? Has he actually said to you, 'Wash, and be clean'?" 14: So he went down and dipped himself seven times in the Jordan, according to the word of the man of God, and his flesh was restored like the flesh of a little child, and he was clean. 15: Then he returned to the man of God, he and all his company, and he came and stood before him. And he said, "Behold, I know that there is no God in all the earth but in Israel; so accept now a present from your servant." 16: But he said, "As the LORD lives, before whom I stand, I will receive none." And he urged him to take it, but he refused. 17: Then Naaman said, "If not, please let there be given to your servant two mules' load of earth, for from now on your servant will not offer burnt offering or sacrifice to any god but the LORD. 18: In this matter may the LORD pardon your servant: when my master goes into the house of Rimmon to worship there, leaning on my arm, and I bow myself in the house of Rimmon, when I bow myself in the house of Rimmon, the LORD pardon your servant in this matter." 19: He said to him, "Go in peace." But when Naaman had gone from him a short distance, 20: Gehazi, the servant of Elisha the man of God, said, "See, my master has spared this Naaman the Syrian, in not accepting from his hand what he brought. As the LORD lives, I will run after him and get something from him." 21: So Gehazi followed Naaman. And when Naaman saw someone running after him, he got down from the chariot to meet him and said, "Is all well?" 22: And he said, "All is well. My master has sent me to say, 'There have just now come to me from the hill country of Ephraim two young men of the sons of the prophets. Please give them a talent of silver and two festal garments.'" 23: And Naaman said, "Be pleased to accept two talents." And he urged him and tied up two talents of silver in two bags, with two festal garments, and laid them on two of his servants. And they carried them before Gehazi. 24: And when he came to the hill, he took them from their hand and put them in the house, and he sent the men away, and they departed. 25: He went in and stood before his master, and Elisha said to him, "Where have you been, Gehazi?" And he said, "Your servant went nowhere." 26: But he said to him, "Did not my heart go when the man turned from his chariot to meet you? Was it a time to accept money and garments, olive orchards and vineyards, sheep and oxen, male servants and female servants? 27: Therefore the leprosy of Naaman shall cling to you and to your descendants forever." So he went out from his presence a leper, like snow.
    Creation — Spirit over the waters.
    Genesis 1:2 2: The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. Genesis 1:2
    Genesis 1:2 [ESV] 2: The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.
     Ambrose uses these to show baptism is the fulfillment of all OT washings.

  7. Jesus Himself is baptized

    (as above)