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Biblical texts are the major source of information about baptism, its origin and mode or formula used in the course of baptizing. In this regard, it is possible to refer to numerous texts in both the Old Testament and the New Testament, where the essence of baptism and the description of the rite are detailed enough to understand what baptism in the early era of Christianity was like and whether it has preserved its basic elements till present days. In such a context, many researchers (Willimon, 132) refer to the scriptural records, appealing to the Bible as the major source of information on baptism and the rite of baptizing. In this respect, it is possible to refer to the Book of Acts which describes in details baptism and the rite of baptizing. The Book of Acts is particularly noteworthy in terms of the description of baptism and the rite of baptizing conducted by Jesus Christ and his disciples, especially Peter and Paul. Many researchers (219) believe that baptism and the rite of baptism was sanctioned by God and conveyed to Moses and later it was backed up by the Jesus Christ teaching in relation to baptism. Moreover, the New Testament stresses the detailed description of baptizing as it occurred in relation to Jesus Christ and later as it was conducted by Jesus Christ and his followers.
At this point, the role of John the Baptist is particularly noteworthy because he baptized Jesus Christ and, therefore, he may be viewed as the precursor of Jesus Christ in terms of baptizing, whereas Jesus Christ became the follower of John the Baptist, who brought in new trends in baptizing, while his disciples had started to use his name in the course of baptizing, stressing the unity of the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost. In other words, John the Baptist and Jesus Christ may be viewed as two, key figures in the development of baptism because John the Baptist followed Moses’ laws, whereas Jesus Christ brought the new message from God. In this regard, the major message and the main innovation brought in by Jesus Christ is the idea of baptizing all nations. In fact, John the Baptist, who baptized on the ground of Moses’ laws, focused on the Jewish people solely. Therefore, baptizing was a sacred process, sanctioned by God but it was quite limited because it focused on Jews only. In stark contrast, Jesus Christ brought in the truly innovative idea of globalization of Christianity through baptizing of all nations. The latter means that Christianity should eliminate national frontiers through baptism, whereas baptized people could feel their spiritual unity through the fact of being baptized. As a result, baptism became the tool of spreading Christianity internationally and after Jesus Christ Christianity did went far beyond the limits of Israel and Jewish community. In such a way, Jesus Christ played the crucial role in baptizing as well as in Christianity at large. At this point, it is possible to refer to the Book of Acts and the description of baptizing conducted by apostles, especially Peter and Paul. In fact, after Jesus Christ Peter and Paul as well as other apostles had started to use the name of Jesus Christ as an integral element of the formula of baptizing which they conducted in the name of the Father, the Son and Holy Ghost. Before Jesus Christ, John the Baptist and other early Christians referred to the name of God only but still baptism had the sacred value and sacred scriptures and Biblical texts found in the Old Testament prove the importance of baptism for Christians. In fact, judging from Biblical texts and other sacred scriptures, baptism is one of the integral elements conveyed to people through Moses and one of the fundamental laws of Christianity, which was modified and adapted by Jesus Christ to make baptism and Christianity truly universal, surpassing national frontiers.