The Meaning of Baptism—Identification
The word “baptism” is full of meaning and significance. Essentially, baptism means identification. As a piece of cloth was “baptized” into a container of dye (by being dipped or immersed), the cloth “identified with” or “took on” the color of the dye. When a person is baptized in water, he or she identifies with Jesus Christ, His death, burial and resurrection, and His living body, the Church. Baptism is the means by which a person publicly and personally identifies with the Church as God’s family and Christ’s body.
The Mode of Baptism—Immersion
Though there are different practices among churches today regarding the mode of baptism, I believe that immersion is clearly the best expression of the biblical significance and symbolism if this ordinance. An interesting note is that the Greek language has very specific words for “sprinkling” and “pouring,” but these are never used in the context of baptism. The picture that is always presented in the New Testament is someone coming up out of the water (Mark 1:9-10; Acts 8:36-39). Why does the New Testament call for it to be done this way? Baptism, in its fundamental understanding, is symbolic of a funeral service. Let me explain. The person being baptized goes under the water (symbolizing a grave) and comes out of the water (symbolizing a resurrection). The whole process is a clear statement that says, “I have put to death my former way of life, my old self. I am now living for Jesus as a new person and I want everyone to know it.”
The Recipients of Baptism—Believers
The New Testament clearly shows that believers, and believers only, were baptized. This cannot be stressed enough. Infant baptism, though practiced for centuries by various churches, simply cannot be found as Biblical practice. The following passages, and their word order, are relevant to our view of who should be baptized.
Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. (Matthew 28:19; NLT).
Those who accepted his (Peter’s) message were baptized. (Acts 2:41; NLT).
But when they believed Phillip as he preached the good news of the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.” (Acts 8:12; NLT).
…then immediately he and all his family were baptized…because he had come to believe in God—he and his whole family. (Acts 16:33-34; NLT).
…many of the Corinthians who heard him (Paul) believed and were baptized.” Acts 18:8; NLT).
The clear testimony of the New Testament supports believer’s baptism and shows beyond any doubt that personal faith was the only requirement for baptism. It is true to the Biblical record to say that everyone in the New Testament era who believed was then baptized.
The Time of Baptism
In the New Testament, people were baptized as soon as possible after they believed. At Pentecost, three-thousand were baptized the same day they trusted Christ (Acts 2:41). Elsewhere, an Ethiopian leader was baptized on the spot when he was converted, and Paul and Silas baptized a Philippian jailer and his family immediately after they believed at midnight (Acts8:36-38; 16:25; 29-33). Paul’s words to a crowd of people in Jerusalem are just as pertinent to us today: “And now what are you waiting for? Get up and be baptized” (Acts22:16; NLT). If you have not been baptized as an expression of your faith in Christ, do so as soon as possible.
The Significance of Baptism: A Visible Symbol of an Inward Reality
Baptism does not make you a member of God’s family: only faith in Jesus does that. Baptism is a symbolic testimony to the people around you that you are part God’s family, the Church. The Bible clearly teaches that baptism and belief in the Gospel are two separate but important requirements—one for salvation, the other for obedience (see 1 Corinthians 1:17). Like a wedding ring, baptism vividly portrays Christ’s death, burial and resurrection, symbolizes your death to your old lifestyle, and celebrates your new life in Christ (Romans 6:1-7; Galatians 3:26-27). Baptism is the act of initiation for the new believer into the Christian life and an act of identification with the community of believers.
Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Baptism
1. What is an appropriate age for baptism?
The Bible does not address a specific age regarding baptism or salvation. With that said, it does speak of the heart and of a person’s personal knowledge of his or her spiritual condition. A person who understands who Jesus is, who expresses personal faith in Jesus for salvation, and who understands what following Jesus means is a perfect candidate for baptism.
2. Am I not a Christian if I am not baptized?
Baptism does not gain a person entrance into Heaven. It does not take away or add to a person’s salvation. Baptism is something that is done after conversion in obedience to Jesus and as a proclamation to the world. To believe that baptism somehow adds to your salvation is simply a misunderstanding of salvation in the first place. We can do nothing for our salvation. God saves us by His grace alone. We respond to that grace by believing what He says is true, not by working to try and earn that grace.
3. Can I still go to Heaven if I am not baptized?
“Then one of the criminals who were hanged blasphemed Him, saying, ‘If You are the Christ, save yourself and us.’ But the other answering rebuked Him saying, ‘Do you not even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation? And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds; but this Man has done nothing wrong.’ Then he said
to Jesus, ‘Lord, remember me when You come into your kingdom.’ And Jesus said to him, ‘Assuredly I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise’.” (Luke 23:39-43; NLT).
What’s interesting about this account is what Jesus did not say. He didn’t say, “Well, before you come with Me into Paradise, we need to find some water and get you baptized.” The story does not end with the two to them hopping down off the cross, excusing themselves as they make their way through the crowd on their search for a body of water. What Jesus simply says is, “Today you will be with Me in Paradise.”
So, to answer this question, even though baptism is not a requirement to go to Heaven, read the following words very carefully. Just because the thief on the cross did not have the opportunity to be baptized, does not give us an excuse for not being baptized. A person with the opportunity to be baptized who does not capitalize on that opportunity is living in disobedience to his or her Lord. Make sure you are obeying Jesus in every area of your life.
The word “baptism” is full of meaning and significance. Essentially, baptism means identification. As a piece of cloth was “baptized” into a container of dye (by being dipped or immersed), the cloth “identified with” or “took on” the color of the dye. When a person is baptized in water, he or she identifies with Jesus Christ, His death, burial and resurrection, and His living body, the Church. Baptism is the means by which a person publicly and personally identifies with the Church as God’s family and Christ’s body.
The Mode of Baptism—Immersion
Though there are different practices among churches today regarding the mode of baptism, I believe that immersion is clearly the best expression of the biblical significance and symbolism if this ordinance. An interesting note is that the Greek language has very specific words for “sprinkling” and “pouring,” but these are never used in the context of baptism. The picture that is always presented in the New Testament is someone coming up out of the water (Mark 1:9-10; Acts 8:36-39). Why does the New Testament call for it to be done this way? Baptism, in its fundamental understanding, is symbolic of a funeral service. Let me explain. The person being baptized goes under the water (symbolizing a grave) and comes out of the water (symbolizing a resurrection). The whole process is a clear statement that says, “I have put to death my former way of life, my old self. I am now living for Jesus as a new person and I want everyone to know it.”
The Recipients of Baptism—Believers
The New Testament clearly shows that believers, and believers only, were baptized. This cannot be stressed enough. Infant baptism, though practiced for centuries by various churches, simply cannot be found as Biblical practice. The following passages, and their word order, are relevant to our view of who should be baptized.
Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. (Matthew 28:19; NLT).
Those who accepted his (Peter’s) message were baptized. (Acts 2:41; NLT).
But when they believed Phillip as he preached the good news of the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.” (Acts 8:12; NLT).
…then immediately he and all his family were baptized…because he had come to believe in God—he and his whole family. (Acts 16:33-34; NLT).
…many of the Corinthians who heard him (Paul) believed and were baptized.” Acts 18:8; NLT).
The clear testimony of the New Testament supports believer’s baptism and shows beyond any doubt that personal faith was the only requirement for baptism. It is true to the Biblical record to say that everyone in the New Testament era who believed was then baptized.
The Time of Baptism
In the New Testament, people were baptized as soon as possible after they believed. At Pentecost, three-thousand were baptized the same day they trusted Christ (Acts 2:41). Elsewhere, an Ethiopian leader was baptized on the spot when he was converted, and Paul and Silas baptized a Philippian jailer and his family immediately after they believed at midnight (Acts8:36-38; 16:25; 29-33). Paul’s words to a crowd of people in Jerusalem are just as pertinent to us today: “And now what are you waiting for? Get up and be baptized” (Acts22:16; NLT). If you have not been baptized as an expression of your faith in Christ, do so as soon as possible.
The Significance of Baptism: A Visible Symbol of an Inward Reality
Baptism does not make you a member of God’s family: only faith in Jesus does that. Baptism is a symbolic testimony to the people around you that you are part God’s family, the Church. The Bible clearly teaches that baptism and belief in the Gospel are two separate but important requirements—one for salvation, the other for obedience (see 1 Corinthians 1:17). Like a wedding ring, baptism vividly portrays Christ’s death, burial and resurrection, symbolizes your death to your old lifestyle, and celebrates your new life in Christ (Romans 6:1-7; Galatians 3:26-27). Baptism is the act of initiation for the new believer into the Christian life and an act of identification with the community of believers.
Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Baptism
1. What is an appropriate age for baptism?
The Bible does not address a specific age regarding baptism or salvation. With that said, it does speak of the heart and of a person’s personal knowledge of his or her spiritual condition. A person who understands who Jesus is, who expresses personal faith in Jesus for salvation, and who understands what following Jesus means is a perfect candidate for baptism.
2. Am I not a Christian if I am not baptized?
Baptism does not gain a person entrance into Heaven. It does not take away or add to a person’s salvation. Baptism is something that is done after conversion in obedience to Jesus and as a proclamation to the world. To believe that baptism somehow adds to your salvation is simply a misunderstanding of salvation in the first place. We can do nothing for our salvation. God saves us by His grace alone. We respond to that grace by believing what He says is true, not by working to try and earn that grace.
3. Can I still go to Heaven if I am not baptized?
“Then one of the criminals who were hanged blasphemed Him, saying, ‘If You are the Christ, save yourself and us.’ But the other answering rebuked Him saying, ‘Do you not even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation? And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds; but this Man has done nothing wrong.’ Then he said
to Jesus, ‘Lord, remember me when You come into your kingdom.’ And Jesus said to him, ‘Assuredly I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise’.” (Luke 23:39-43; NLT).
What’s interesting about this account is what Jesus did not say. He didn’t say, “Well, before you come with Me into Paradise, we need to find some water and get you baptized.” The story does not end with the two to them hopping down off the cross, excusing themselves as they make their way through the crowd on their search for a body of water. What Jesus simply says is, “Today you will be with Me in Paradise.”
So, to answer this question, even though baptism is not a requirement to go to Heaven, read the following words very carefully. Just because the thief on the cross did not have the opportunity to be baptized, does not give us an excuse for not being baptized. A person with the opportunity to be baptized who does not capitalize on that opportunity is living in disobedience to his or her Lord. Make sure you are obeying Jesus in every area of your life.