Here are the Scriptures (with some comments):
Matthew 3:13-17= Jesus was baptized for what reason? He didn’t need to. He did it because it was the righteous thing to do (v15). Baptism fulfills all righteousness. He did it in preparation for His ministry and was sanctified for that purpose. It was His example.
Matthew 28:18-20= Baptism is an important part of the Christian mission. Jesus commanded the apostles to baptize those people that came to faith in Him. Baptism is a direct command from Jesus. Plain and simple.
Luke 3:1-3= John came before Jesus and was preaching baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. The reason John’s baptism was not sufficient (see Acts 18:24-26) is because Jesus’ death fulfilled it more fully-and baptism needs to be in Jesus’ name, not John’s. However, baptism was needed for the forgiveness of sins.
John 3:3-8= Jesus simply states it. Unless you are born again (born again = baptism) you will not see the kingdom of God (heaven). Jesus goes on to say that a person must be born not only of the water (baptism), but also of the Spirit (Holy Spirit coming to reside in them forever). It is Jesus talking and He leaves no room for not being baptized and still seeing the kingdom of God. Baptism of water and the gift of the Holy Spirit are linked.
John 3:22=Jesus baptized people. If He did it, what makes us think that we don’t need to or it isn’t important?
Acts 2:38-41= Peter says (he’s an apostle which means he has authority) that it is a promise of God that if we obey Him (command given in Matt 28:18-20) by repenting first and then following in baptism-- forgiveness will come and the gift of the Holy Spirit will be given.
Acts 8:11-13= The people listened to Philip and believed the message about Jesus. What did they do? They were baptized. Why did they get baptized? They already believed (v12), but had to because Jesus commands it. Baptism was part of their obedience to Jesus.
Acts 8:36-38= The Ethiopian had just heard the Gospel and accepted it in his heart. The Gospel is defined as the way of salvation through Jesus. At the first opportunity, when they found water, he knew he had to be baptized. It was an automatic obedient action. Why? Baptism is part of Jesus’ plan for salvation and this brand new Christian knew that.
Acts 9:17-19= Saul was baptized. Why? Jesus commanded it.
Acts 10:44-48= God sent His Spirit to these Gentiles, in Peter’s presence, so that all the Jewish believers would see that Gentiles too could be Christians. Salvation was not for Jews alone, but for the whole world. They already had the Holy Spirit. They already believed. Why then did they also have to be baptized? In order to fulfill all righteousness, and complete the salvation process.
Acts 16:14-15= This woman Lydia was already a “worshipper of God.” She believed Paul’s message. She was then baptized. The apostles considered her a believer in the Lord (v15).
Acts 16:31-34= Paul and Silas said, “Believe and you will be saved” (similar to Ro 10:9). But that was not all they did. Even at that hour of the night the jailer and his whole family were baptized. Belief alone was not enough.
Acts 18:8= An Example of-- Believed and were baptized. They are inextricably connected.
Acts 19:1-7= Why did these people need to be baptized into the name of Jesus? John’s baptism was not enough (see Luke 3:1-3). The Ephesians already believed (v2) and this was not enough. They had not been baptized into Jesus’ name. They needed to demonstrate Paul (apostle of Jesus therefore having authority).
Acts 22:14-16= What are you waiting for?! Be baptized to wash away your sins. Baptism needed to be done so that these people could receive forgiveness.
Romans 6:1-4= Dying to sin involves participating with Christ through His death. The believer through baptism accomplishes this. Through baptism we die with Christ and are raised to have a new life. Baptism is a key part of all this.
1 Corinthians 12:12-13= The body of Christ is one body made up of many parts. It is one unit. How does one become part of the Body? The answer is verse 13.
Galatians 3:26-29= We are considered Sons of God by God because #1 our faith in Jesus and #2 we have clothed ourselves with Christ through baptism.
Ephesians 4:3-6= Baptism brings about unity in the Body of Christ. All its members have part in One Spirit, hope, faith, and… you guessed it… baptism.
Colossians 2:9-12= As Christians we are given the fullness of Christ. This was not accomplished by men, but by circumcision by Jesus (meaning a sign of a covenant). This sign is baptism (v12). Being baptized is the sign that you are a child of God. It is as significant as circumcision was in the OT for the Israelites.
Titus 3:3-8= We are saved by the washing of rebirth and renewal. Baptism is the opposite of foolishness and disobedience.
Hebrews 6:1-3= Baptism is considered an elementary teaching about Christ. It is considered a foundation of the Christian belief system. The author wishes to leave the elementary foundational stuff behind (including baptism) and go on to heavier stuff. Baptism is basic and foundational to the Christian belief system.
1 Peter 3:19-22= … “baptism that now saves you.” Baptism has power because of the death and resurrection of Jesus (v21).