In the King James Bible, the concept of being “born” and the importance and
emphasis of baptism in the Christian faith is mentioned in several passages. The
primary verse that connects baptism and being “born” is found in the Gospel
of John:

John 3:3-5:

“Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be
born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. Nicodemus saith unto him, How
can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother’s
womb, and be born? 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.”

Expansion: In this passage, Jesus is speaking to Nicodemus, a Pharisee and a ruler
of the Jews. Jesus introduces the concept of being “born” as essential to
seeing and entering the kingdom of God. The “immersion in water” is often
interpreted by Christians as referring to baptism, while being born of the “Spirit”
refers to receiving the Holy Spirit. So, according to this understanding, both
baptism (immersion in water) and receiving the Holy Spirit (Spirit) are necessary
for salvation.
Other verses in the New Testament that emphasize the importance of baptism
include:

Mark 16:16:

“He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be
damned.”

Expansion: Here, Jesus makes a clear connection between belief and baptism for
salvation. While belief is the primary requirement, baptism acts as an external
affirmation of that internal faith.

Acts 2:38:

“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.”

Expansion: In this passage from the book of Acts, Peter addresses the crowd on the
day of Pentecost, shortly after the Holy Spirit had descended on the disciples. Peter
calls for repentance, baptism in Jesus; name, and promises that those who do so
will receive the Holy Spirit.

1 Peter 3:21:

“The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting
away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by
the resurrection of Jesus Christ”

Expansion: Peter compares the act of baptism to Noah’s salvation in the ark during
the flood. He makes it clear that the act of baptism is not about a physical
cleansing, but about an appeal to God for a good conscience. The saving power of
baptism is thus linked to Jesus; resurrection.
These passages, among others, highlight the significance of baptism in the
Christian faith. While different denominations might have varying beliefs about the
mode and meaning of baptism, the New Testament emphasizes its importance as a
means of publicly identifying with Jesus and the Christian community.

Acts 8:36-38:

“And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch
said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? And Philip said, If
thou beleivest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I
believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. And he commanded the chariot to stand
still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he
baptized him.”

Expansion: This passage narrates the conversion of an Ethiopian eunuch who was
reading the Book of Isaiah. Philip, led by the Spirit, explains the Gospel to him.
Upon believing, the eunuch’s immediate response is to be baptized, showing the
urgency and importance of the act once faith is professed.

Acts 10:44-48:

“While Peter yet spoke these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard
the word. 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. For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then
answered Peter, Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized,
which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? And he commanded them to be
baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.”

Expansion: This passage highlights the conversion of Cornelius and his household,
who were Gentiles. Even before they were baptized with water, they received the
Holy Spirit, signifying that God’s grace was not limited to the Jews. The
subsequent baptism was a public affirmation of their new faith and the acceptance
of Gentiles into the Christian community.

Acts 16:14-15:

“And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira,
which worshipped God, heard us: whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended
unto the things which were spoken of Paul. And when she was baptized, and her

household, she besought us, saying, If ye have judged me to be faithful to the Lord,
come into my house, and abide there. And she constrained us.”

Expansion: Lydia's conversion emphasizes how God opens hearts to the Gospel.
After hearing Paul’s message and believing, Lydia and her entire household were
baptized. This reflects the practice in the early church where entire households
would often be baptized upon the conversion of the head or a key member.

Acts 22:16:

“And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins,
calling on the name of the Lord.”

Expansion: This is a part of Paul’s recounting of his conversion experience.
Ananias comes to Paul (then known as Saul) and instructs him to be baptized as a
means of washing away his sins and calling on the Lord. This highlights the
restorative and cleansing nature of baptism.

Romans 6:3-4:

“Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized
into his death? 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.”

Expansion: Here, Paul is drawing a parallel between baptism and Jesus; death and
resurrection. By being baptized, believers symbolically participate in Jesus; death
and are thus also part of His resurrection. Baptism signifies the old sinful self being
buried and the believer rising to a new life in Christ.
These verses further emphasize the foundational role of baptism in the Christian
faith, both as a declaration of faith and as a symbol of the transformative power of
Christ’s death and resurrection.

1 Corinthians 12:13:
“For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or
Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one
Spirit.”

Expansion: In this passage, Paul speaks about the unity of the body of Christ (the
church). He emphasizes that through the act of baptism, believers—regardless of
their background or status—are united and made part of the same spiritual body,
the Church. This baptism is not merely an external ritual but is orchestrated by the
Holy Spirit, who incorporates believers into this spiritual unity.

Galatians 3:26-27:
“For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as
have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.”

Expansion: Paul emphasizes that faith in Christ Jesus makes believers children of
God. Baptism serves as an outward affirmation of this faith. When believers are
baptized “into Christ,” they “put on Christ,” indicating a profound spiritual
transformation and identification with Jesus.
Ephesians 4:5:
“One Lord, one faith, one baptism,”

Expansion: Paul's letter to the Ephesians underscores the unity in the body of
Christ. Here, he asserts that there’s one Lord (Jesus), one faith (the Christian faith),
and one baptism (the act that marks our initiation into the Christian community).
This highlights the singular and unifying nature of baptism in the Christian faith.

Colossians 2:12:
“Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith
of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.”

Expansion: Similar to the theme in Romans, Paul highlights that in baptism,
believers are symbolically buried with Christ and then rise with Him, reflecting His
death and resurrection. This baptismal act signifies the believer’s transition from
the old life of sin to a new life in Christ.

Titus 3:5:
“Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy
he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;”

Expansion: Paul emphasizes to Titus that salvation isn’t a result of our righteous
deeds but stems from God’s mercy. The “washing of regeneration” is widely
interpreted as baptism, which is paired here with the “renewing of the Holy Ghost.”
Baptism is thus seen as a symbolic washing and regeneration, marking a fresh start
as a believer.
These passages emphasize the spiritual significance of baptism, portraying it as a
transformative act that not only marks a believer’s identification with Christ but
also serves as a symbol of regeneration and renewal in the Holy Spirit.