Bible Verses About Baptism
Baptism is, in Catholic theology, the first and foundational sacrament — the "door" through which one enters the Church and receives the other sacraments. The Catechism (§1213) calls it the "basis of the whole Christian life" and the "gateway to life in the Spirit." It effects three realities simultaneously: forgiveness of original and personal sin, rebirth as a child of God, and incorporation into the Body of Christ which is the Church.
The scriptural basis for baptism is extensive: Jesus commands it in the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19), undergoes it himself in the Jordan as a model and a blessing of the waters, and John's Gospel gives the most theological account of its inner meaning in the dialogue with Nicodemus. Paul develops its meaning as death and resurrection in Romans 6.
8 verses — Douay-Rheims Bible (1899 Challoner revision) — Public domain
Going therefore, teach ye all nations; baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.Matthew 28:19 — Douay-Rheims
The Great Commission — the explicit command to baptize all nations, establishing baptism as the initiation rite of the Church.
Jesus answered: Amen, amen I say to thee, unless a man be born again of water and the Holy Ghost, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.John 3:5 — Douay-Rheims
Jesus to Nicodemus — the clearest dominical statement that baptism of water and Spirit is necessary for entering God's Kingdom.
Know you not that all we, who are baptized in Christ Jesus, are baptized in his death? For we are buried together with him by baptism into death; that as Christ is risen from the dead by the glory of the Father, so we also may walk in newness of life.Romans 6:3-4 — Douay-Rheims
Paul's deepest theology of baptism: participation in Christ's death and resurrection through the sacrament.
But Peter said to them: Do penance, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ, for the remission of your sins: and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.Acts 2:38 — Douay-Rheims
Peter's reply at Pentecost to the crowd's question — baptism as the means of receiving forgiveness and the Holy Spirit.
For as many of you as have been baptized in Christ, have put on Christ.Galatians 3:27 — Douay-Rheims
Paul's image of baptism as clothing oneself in Christ — a complete identification with his person.
Not by the works of justice, which we have done, but according to his mercy, he saved us, by the laver of regeneration, and renovation of the Holy Ghost.Titus 3:5 — Douay-Rheims
The 'laver of regeneration' — interpreted universally in the Fathers as baptism, the washing of rebirth.
Whereunto baptism being of the like form, now saveth you also: not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the examination of a good conscience towards God by the resurrection of Jesus Christ.1 Peter 3:21 — Douay-Rheims
Peter uses Noah's flood as a type of baptism, insisting its saving power comes not from physical washing but from the Resurrection.
He that believeth and is baptized, shall be saved: but he that believeth not shall be condemned.Mark 16:16 — Douay-Rheims
Jesus's final commission in Mark — faith and baptism together as the ordinary means of salvation.
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Source
All verse texts from the Douay-Rheims Bible (1899 Challoner revision), public domain. The Douay-Rheims is the traditional Catholic English Bible, translated from the Latin Vulgate.