Introduction
A baptism marks an important day when you publicly declare your faith in front of everyone. These 20 verses, quoted from the World English Bible, can be read during the ceremony, given to the newly baptized person, or written on a card. They fall into five facets: the example and command of Jesus, the meaning of baptism, new life, belonging to God's family, and words of blessing for the road ahead.
The Example and Command of Jesus
1. Matthew 3:16-17
"Jesus, when he was baptized, went up directly from the water: and behold, the heavens were opened to him. He saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove, and coming on him. Behold, a voice out of the heavens said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased."
Jesus is baptized by John, the Spirit descends on him like a dove and the Father speaks from heaven. Christ's baptism shows that all three divine persons are present at that moment. The Father is well pleased with his "beloved Son," and he is also pleased with those who follow in his steps. Read all of Matthew 3.
2. Matthew 28:19-20
"Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I commanded you. Behold, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen."
Before leaving his disciples, Jesus commands them to make disciples, "baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit." Baptism is part of the mission. It is followed by a promise for the baptized person: "I am with you always." Read all of Matthew 28.
3. Mark 16:16
"He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who disbelieves will be condemned."
Jesus links faith and baptism: "He who believes and is baptized will be saved." Faith is the foundation, and baptism is its public expression. It is not a magic rite, but the step of obedience that naturally goes with someone who has believed. Read all of Mark 16.
4. Acts 2:38
"Peter said to them, “Repent, and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit."
On the day of Pentecost, Peter answers the question of what to do in three steps: repent, be baptized, receive the Holy Spirit. Baptism comes with "forgiveness of sins," which marks a new start before God and before others. Read all of Acts 2.
Dying and Rising with Christ
5. Romans 6:3-4
"Or don’t you know that all we who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we also might walk in newness of life."
Paul explains the deep meaning of baptism: going under the water pictures being buried with Christ. Coming out of the water, the believer is joined to his resurrection in order to "walk in newness of life." The outward act tells the story of what God has done inside. Read all of Romans 6.
6. Colossians 2:12
"having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead."
Paul writes to the Colossians that, "buried with him in baptism," they were also "raised with him through faith in the working of God." The baptized person is therefore relying on God, not on their own strength. Read all of Colossians 2.
7. Romans 6:11
"Thus consider yourselves also to be dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord."
After explaining baptism, Paul draws a practical conclusion: "consider yourselves also to be dead to sin, but alive to God." It is a choice of perspective every day, a received identity that takes over from old reflexes and habits of the past. Read all of Romans 6.
8. Galatians 3:27
"For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ."
Paul uses the image of clothing: you "have put on Christ." The baptized person no longer wears their own merit but that of Jesus. Before God, they are seen through Christ, and they learn day after day to look like the one whose name they bear. Read all of Galatians 3.
A New Life, Cleansed and Renewed
9. 2 Corinthians 5:17
"Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old things have passed away. Behold, all things have become new."
Paul says it plainly: "if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation." The old things have passed away and all things have become new. This verse is perfect for a baptism card, because it announces a real transformation and not just a symbol. Read all of 2 Corinthians 5.
10. Ezekiel 36:25-26
"I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean. I will cleanse you from all your filthiness, and from all your idols. I will also give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit within you. I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you a heart of flesh."
Centuries before Jesus, God promises his people "clean water" that cleanses them from all filthiness, and then "a new heart." The water points to cleansing, and the Spirit gives a heart able to love God. Baptism is the visible sign of this double promise. Read all of Ezekiel 36.
11. Titus 3:5
"not by works of righteousness which we did ourselves, but according to his mercy, he saved us through the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit,"
Paul reminds us that salvation does not rest on "works of righteousness which we did ourselves," but on God's "mercy." He speaks of "renewing by the Holy Spirit." The baptized person has earned nothing: they receive a gift, and that is what makes them joyful. Read all of Titus 3.
12. Ephesians 4:22-24
"that you put away, as concerning your former way of life, the old man that grows corrupt after the lusts of deceit, and that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and put on the new man, who in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of truth."
Paul invites us to "put away" the "old man" and to "put on the new man, who in the likeness of God has been created." We change the way we change clothes: we take off the old and put on the new. Baptism is a good moment to decide on this exchange and to live it out. Read all of Ephesians 4.
A Child of God in a Family of Believers
13. Ephesians 4:4-6
"There is one body and one Spirit, even as you also were called in one hope of your calling, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all, and in us all."
Paul lists what unites all believers: one Lord, one faith, "one baptism, one God and Father of all." The baptized person is not joining a group of friends but a universal family that crosses borders and generations. Read all of Ephesians 4.
14. 1 Corinthians 12:13
"For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether bond or free; and were all given to drink into one Spirit."
Paul writes to a church that compares backgrounds: Jews, Greeks, slaves, free people. He reminds them that "in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body." Baptism places us alongside others, with the same rights. Read all of 1 Corinthians 12.
15. John 1:12
"But as many as received him, to them he gave the right to become God’s children, to those who believe in his name:"
John presents the heart of the Gospel: to those who received Jesus and "who believe in his name," God gave "the right to become God's children." It is a status received, never a title earned, and baptism proclaims it in front of everyone. Read all of John 1.
16. 1 John 3:1
"See how great a love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God! For this cause the world doesn’t know us, because it didn’t know him."
John marvels: "See how great a love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God!" The baptized person can repeat it to themselves: their primary identity is not what they have done, it is being loved by God. Read all of 1 John 3.
Words to Give on a Card
17. Numbers 6:24-26
"Yahweh bless you, and keep you. Yahweh make his face to shine on you, and be gracious to you. Yahweh lift up his face toward you, and give you peace."
These words were spoken by the priests over the people of Israel. They form one of the most beautiful blessings in the Bible: "Yahweh bless you, and keep you." They read easily on a baptism card, as a wish of peace for the road ahead. Read all of Numbers 6.
18. Philippians 1:6
"being confident of this very thing, that he who began a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ."
Paul is "confident of this very thing, that he who began a good work in you will complete it." This verse encourages a newly baptized person who feels fragile: God does not abandon what he has begun, he leads its growth to the end. Read all of Philippians 1.
19. Psalm 119:105
"Your word is a lamp to my feet, and a light for my path."
The psalmist compares God's word to "a lamp to my feet" that lights our steps and not the whole path. This verse goes well with a baptism gift such as a Bible: reading a little each day means moving forward step by step in the light. Read all of Psalm 119.
20. Joshua 24:15
"If it seems evil to you to serve Yahweh, choose today whom you will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell; but as for me and my house, we will serve Yahweh."
Joshua invites the people to choose whom they will serve, and then takes his own stand: "as for me and my house, we will serve Yahweh." Baptism is that public stand. Written on a card, this verse celebrates the choice of a person and their family. Read all of Joshua 24.
Further reading
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Bible verse should I choose for a baptism card?
Among the most popular are 2 Corinthians 5:17 (new creation), Philippians 1:6 (God will complete his work), Numbers 6:24-26 (the blessing) and Psalm 119:105 (the Word as light). Choose the one that fits the personality of the baptized person and the season of life they are in.
What does baptism mean in the Bible?
Baptism represents the believer's union with the death and resurrection of Christ (Romans 6:3-4). It expresses cleansing, new life and entry into God's family. It does not save by itself: it is the public sign of a personal faith.
Which verses should I read during a baptism ceremony?
Matthew 28:19-20 (Jesus' command), Matthew 3:16-17 (his own baptism), Romans 6:3-4 (the meaning of the act) and Acts 2:38 (repentance and the gift of the Spirit) are the most common readings. They explain the act to those attending the ceremony.
to take notes and ask questions.