What Does “Baptism” Mean in the Bible?
To baptize means to “immerse” in water.
It can mean
- John’s baptism: a sign that a person repented and wanted to change his life.
- Christian Baptism: the first sacrament. It frees us from sin and makes us children of God and members of the Church.
Where it appears in the Bible
Mark 1:4; Mark 1:8
What the Bible says
Mark 1:4
John was in the desert baptizing, and preaching the baptism of penance, unto remission of sins.
Mark 1:8
I have baptized you with water; but he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost.
Douay-Rheims Bible (Challoner revision), public domain.
Source: Mark 1:4-8; Catechism 535 and 1213-1214