I spent two days researching scripture, reading all the different viewpoints on baptism, and then trying to understand do we need to be baptized?, what it means to be baptized, what to expect from it, and why there is so much confusion. I spent all this time researching scripture, and felt as thought I had all relevant bible verses talking about it. But I could feel something important was missing, I didn’t fully understand. I was determined I was going to figure it all out, but the truth is you can spend all your time researching and still miss something!
I was really bummed about it, and I talked to my husband on my drive home feeling defeated. He said “you know what I think….” And there it was! The missing puzzle piece. None of us have all the wisdom, only God does, and it humbled me to see that the Holy Spirit gave him the answer I was missing. Not only did I add his piece of wisdom he received, but I altered my whole blog to reflect it.
After reflecting on it over time, I realize God gave this wisdom to my husband to remind me that I don’t get to take any credit for anything in this blog or any of the other ones, it is God who gets the glory. The Holy Spirit teaches me, and I use information from other people who learn through the Holy Spirit. If this blog was helpful to you, don’t give me credit for it. God gives me these gifts and knowledge and I listen and obey. I’m thankful God gave him the missing piece and not me.
I will NOT tell you whether or not to get baptized.
I’m helping you understand it, so then YOU will know how to make the right decision for you!
When you argue for or against baptism, you are not understanding the bigger picture. Therefore, you will see I don’t tell you that you should or shouldn’t be water baptized. What I am offering is a deeper dive into understanding it, and if you don’t agree with anything, that’s okay. Because you need to understand what the bible says for yourself.
LET’S DIVE IN!
What did Jesus Himself Say About Water Baptism?
5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. – John 3:5-21 (KJV)
This scripture is from when Jesus was talking to Nicodemus. Now, some argue this means water baptism. But when you look at the context of it “Flesh gives birth to flesh” we can say that is being born of water (woman’s water breaks when she goes into labor), and we know the second part refers to the Holy Spirit, “but the Spirit gives birth to spirit.” The Holy Spirit changes the spirit inside of you.
We also know Jesus gets baptized in water, and the Holy Spirit descended upon him in the form of a dove. This happens in Matthew 3:13-17. Many people want to get baptized in water because Jesus was and he received the Holy Spirit. That makes sense.
So, the Question Then Becomes: Do We Also Receive the Holy Spirit When Baptized?
Can we assume that we receive the Holy Spirit when we are baptized? It’s possible, it does happen. But there are parts of the bible that show it isn’t essential. When the disciples received the Holy Spirit, they were just in the upper room together. They were maybe water baptized before Jesus ascended, maybe after, we don’t really know. It is possible they were baptized in water earlier that day.
However, proof that you can receive the Holy Spirit before being baptized is right here:
ACTS 10:
43 To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.
44 While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word.
45 And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost.
46 For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter,
47 Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?
Also, Acts 19 2-5 they were baptized with water, but didn’t receive the Holy Spirit right away. So Paul then baptizes them with the Word (I will explain this soon). They received the Holy Spirit by the laying on of hands.
We never hear of Jesus doing any water baptisms. When He heals people, when He preaches, He doesn’t tell anyone to get baptized. So, is it necessary?
Does Jesus Tell the Disciples to Baptize People with Water?
Here is where it gets interesting!
19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen. – Matthew 28 (KJV)
In Matthew 28 there is instruction with action verbs “go” and “teach.” But Jesus specifically said “baptizing” which is not an action verb. Why wouldn’t he say “baptize.” If he was solely focused on water baptism he would then say, “Go ye therefore, teach, and baptize all nations in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and the Holy Ghost.” Instead, he uses a present progressive “baptizing” (also known as the present continuous) is a verb tense used to describe an action happening now or a temporary action in progress. It can also be used to express future plans.
Therefore, baptizing can be referencing “teach” which is “immersing” them with the Word of God for them to receive the Holy Spirit. It is the result.
Action: preach
Method: teaching
Result: baptizing
(CREDIT TO: A Voice in the Desert Please know that I don’t agree with ALL of what he shares in this video and on his channel, but this piece was very insightful.)
What Does the Word Baptism Mean?
Did you know the word “baptism” doesn’t specifically refer to water? Baptism also means “immerse” which means to plunge into something that surrounds or covers. In the last centuries of the Old Testament era, the Greek word “baptizo” did mean to “immerse” (WELS)
We can further support this idea that Jesus was saying to baptize people with the word allowing them to obtain the Holy Spirit because John the Baptist said:
11 “I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance. but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire. – Matthew 3:11 (KJV)
Yet churches use the word “baptize” and never say whether they are talking about being baptized with water or receiving the Holy Spirit and Fire. They make it seem like they are the same thing, and they clearly are not!
How Does Jesus Baptize You with the Holy Spirit and Fire You Ask?
From hearing the Word believing and choosing to die to your sinful lifestyle, to be reborn into a new life with Christ. Scripture to support this:
3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?
4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:
6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. Romans 6:3-6 (KJV)
It sounds like Paul is talking about the spiritual baptism. Also, Acts 10 above, shows they were baptized with the Holy Spirit when Peter taught them the Gospel.
So, Did the Disciples Misunderstand Jesus?
The Holy Spirit didn’t stop them from doing water baptisms. So, it can’t be wrong.
But another important question to ask, “IS IT HELPING PEOPLE WITH THEIR FAITH JOURNEY?” If it is helping people with their faith, then it is a great thing to do. I will talk about how it is symbolic in a bit.
Paul Discovers it isn’t Helping People with Their Faith
So, in Acts, we see Paul did get baptized with water and he water baptizes many people. We can assume he learned about water baptism from the other disciples because he spent time with them after he received the Holy Spirit. But then he stops baptizing people, why you ask? He says:
17 For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect. (KJV)
See spiritual baptism (hearing the Gospel) is way more important! He talks about how people were caring way too much about who baptized them (Corinthians 1 12-16), therefore missing the whole point of it. So, it wasn’t helping their faith.
He didn’t say we should stop being baptized with water, he just stopped doing it himself. It is possible other people with him were doing the water baptisms.
Conclusion – Water Baptism is Symbolic
The Holy Spirit through my husband, pointed me to John 9:6-7. In John 9:6-7 Jesus covers a blind man’s eyes with mud and saliva and then has him wash it off. After he washes it off, he can see again. The mud and saliva were not actually needed – it was a tool to help with the blind man’s faith. Baptism is a tool, as well. It can strengthen your faith!
Churches make MANY BIG MISTAKES with Baptism
- Water Baptism is the ONLY Baptism. The word “baptism” is used only to talk about “water baptism.” But A LOT of scripture teaches us the baptism of “dying to our sins” is way more important. So, doesn’t it make sense to specifically say “water baptism” and “baptism of the Holy Spirit & Fire.”? Interestingly, before I started researching this, I was really confused about baptism!! And I started feeling the Holy Spirit before I started researching this, and I kept saying “I feel like I got this fire inside of me.” I was describing the feeling of fire with the Holy Spirit before I even understood it.
- Water Baptism = Receiving the Holy Spirit. MAYBE We know this isn’t true because Acts 10 is proof & Acts 19 2-5! Could you receive it during a water baptism? Yes, it is possible I guess.
- Water Baptism + Holy Spirit = Speaking in Tongues. NOPE!
- Some churches say you get water baptized and receive the Holy Spirit, then you speak in tongues. Paul didn’t right away in Acts 9 17-19 and Acts 8:14-17 they didn’t. I think in Acts 10 they spoke in tongues for Peter’s faith to be strengthened, so he understood that the Gentiles were being saved. Act 2 Verse 4 they spoke in tongues because people who spoke in all different languages were coming into the city for Pentecost. So therefore, it allowed the disciples to share the Gospel not with just one group of people, but people from all over. People were amazed to be hearing the Gospel in their own language. Many got saved!!! I don’t speak in tongues, but maybe some day.
- Water Baptism = Salvation. NOPE! Water baptism doesn’t save you, you need the Holy Spirit! BELIEVE (everything about Jesus not just the concept of him, who he is, what he says – EVERYTHING!) Then, you HAVE FAITH, REPENT, & ASK FOR THE HOLY SPIRIT, HAVE FAITH!
38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. – Acts 2:38 (KJV)
In Conclusion: Get Water Baptized? What is God Telling You?
Don’t be in a rush to get baptized thinking that will save you. If you get baptized make sure that calling is from God, not the church influencing you or other people. Make sure you know the scripture and understand being baptized with the Holy Spirit & fire is way more significant!
Whether or not to get baptized does not need to be debated. If you understand it, you can know what is right for you! If you feel God is telling you to go get water baptized, you feel it will help your faith as you turn from a sinful lifestyle, then get water baptized. It is a really beautiful concept. It is a symbol of your choice to die to yours sins and choose a new life following Christ.
References:
Holy Spirit and the Bible
A Voice in the Desert. (n.d.). Baptism and the Holy Spirit [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o5fC0NBW85Q
Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod. (n.d.). Greek word for “baptize”. WELS. Retrieved August 8, 2025, from https://wels.net/faq/greek-word-for-baptize/ WELS
I have a Wellness Coach Certificate, I'm an entrepreneur, an innovator, writer, and artist. My expertise includes over 7 years of marketing, research, and developing content for holistic health businesses. Plus, my own personal journey of becoming chronically sick: understanding what went wrong, and finding a way to heal and live a healthier life. I have a passion for wellness with a wealth of knowledge surrounding: wellness, flaws in healthcare, root causes for chronic illnesses, and alternative treatments.