THE Good News Plan
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March 2024
Baptism In The Book of Acts
The English noun baptism comes from the ancient Greek verb baptizo. Classicial Greek writers used this verb to refer to dyeing clothing. In this trade, a piece of cloth was submerged or thoroughly immersed in the dye bath in order to change its colour.
Thyatira was a centre of this trade in New Testament times.
The same verb baptizo is used in the New Testament to describe the practice by which a new disciple took on the name of Christ when immersed under water.
Luke the Gentile was chosen by God to write two historical records.
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The first is the gospel that bears his name (Luke 1:1-4);
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The second is the book of Acts (Acts 1:1-2).
The book of Acts is the inspired record of the work of the apostles after they witnessed the ascension of our Lord to heaven (Acts 1:9).
To this book more than any other, it is necessary to look for information on the extent and practice of baptism.
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What do we Bible students find there?
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Is baptism an obscure or optional practice, or is it a prominent and essential one?
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How, to whom and by whom was baptism administered?
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What was required beforehand on the part of those who were baptized?
Answers can be found in the book of Acts.
