What Does the Bible Say About Baptism? A Church Near Lyndon, KY Answers From Scripture

Lyndon Christian Church | Serving Lyndon, Hurstbourne, Westport, and St. Matthews (40222 & 40242)

If you are looking for a church near Lyndon, Kentucky, or searching for spiritual guidance in the 40222 or 40242 zip codes, you have probably noticed that Christian churches do not all say the same thing about baptism. Some baptize babies, some only adults. Some sprinkle, some immerse. Some say baptism saves you, others say it is a symbol of something that already happened.

At Lyndon Christian Church, we are a Bible church, not a church built on tradition or on what someone said about the Bible hundreds of years ago. So when people in East Louisville ask, "What does the Bible say about baptism?" we go to Scripture. This post summarizes the first message in our fall series, Bible Stuff (You Should Know), which tackles the most-asked questions about the Bible, including alcohol, angels, and spiritual gifts.

Reading the Whole Picture, Not One Verse

The number one rule of Bible reading is that context is king. The New Testament contains about twelve passages that explain what baptism is and why it matters. Taken one at a time, they can be twisted to say almost anything. Stacked together, they form a mosaic with a clear image. Here are six of those pieces:

Matthew 28:19-20. Jesus commanded his followers to make disciples, "baptizing them" and "teaching them." Baptism is described as part of becoming a disciple, not as a later step of obedience.

John 3:5. Jesus told Nicodemus that a person must be "born of water and the Spirit." These are two sides of one event, not two separate baptisms. Ephesians 4:5 says there is only one baptism.

Acts 2:38. Peter told the crowd at Pentecost, "Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins." Repentance and baptism are tied together, which is why we baptize people old enough to repent, and the plain sense of the verse is baptism is in order to be forgiven.

Galatians 3:27 and Colossians 2:12. Paul wrote that those baptized into Christ "have put on Christ" and were "buried with him in baptism" and "raised with him through faith." Outwardly, Christ's righteousness covers you. Inwardly, your heart is made new.

1 Peter 3:21. Peter wrote that baptism "now saves you," not as a bath, but "as an appeal to God for a good conscience through the resurrection of Jesus Christ."

Put the pieces together and the picture is hard to miss: baptism is the moment your sins are forgiven, you are united with Christ, and you become his disciple.

Looking for a Church That Baptizes by Immersion in Louisville?

Lyndon Christian Church is a non-denominational, Bible-teaching church in the Lyndon neighborhood of Louisville, KY, minutes from Hurstbourne Parkway, Westport Road, and I-264. We baptize believers by immersion, and our baptistry is ready every Sunday.

Whether you are new to the East End, returning to church after years away, or simply asking honest questions about God, you are welcome here. Come as you are.

Visit us this Sunday. Find service times, directions, and a place to ask questions at lyndonchristian.org. Want to go deeper on baptism? Ask us for a free copy of Baptism According to Scripture by Bobby Harrington.