Baptism

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Baptism is a beautiful and living picture of a believer’s new identity and life in Christ. In baptism, we are given a visible illustration of what God does spiritually in the lives of those who put their faith in Jesus¹. We see God’s glorious plan of redemption as we watch new believers baptized into Jesus’ death and then raised to walk in newness of life by the glory and power of God. Additionally, baptism is a witness to a watching world of what Jesus has done in people’s lives, taking them from death to life through canceling their sin by the power of God. Indeed, baptism is a time of joyful celebration that gives God praise and glory for His grace and loving work of salvation in a new believer’s life.

Baptism is an ordinance that, like communion, is ordained and commanded by Jesus for all who place their faith in Him for the forgiveness of their sins². God gave baptism as a means of grace that does not save a person but rather serves as an outward sign of God’s inner work of renewal, which demonstrates the person’s identification with the death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus³. Unlike communion, in which a believer partakes many times over his life, baptism is a one-time outward action in the life of a believer that occurs after believing inwardly⁴. In 1 Peter 3:21 we see the true meaning of baptism, which is not a cleansing of dirt from the body, but rather a pledge and appeal of a good conscience toward God through faith in the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Application Points

Types of Baptism

Various types of baptisms have been practiced throughout church history; however, the two primary types are believer’s baptism (credobaptism) and infant baptism (paedobaptism).

Believer’s Baptism (Credobaptism)

In the Bible, this type of baptism follows belief⁵. Two specific examples of this are found in the book of Acts, where a eunuch⁶ and a jailer and his entire family⁷ are baptized immediately after believing in Jesus for salvation. In credobaptism, a person declares outwardly a belief in Jesus alone for salvation. The Scriptures are clear: baptism does not save a person; rather, it is the belief in the person and work of Jesus that saves, and it is unbelief that condemns⁸.

Infant Baptism (Paedobaptism)

Infant baptism is the practice of baptizing a child with the intent of setting the child apart or dedicating the child’s life to the Lord. Some believe infant baptism is a sacrament that accomplishes the remission of the infant’s original sin.

Some endorse infant baptism because they see baptism as the new circumcision in the New Testament⁹. In this view, infant baptism replaces circumcision as the sign of the covenant and should now be applied to all Christians. Others point out that that in the old covenant, God ordained the whole of Israel (both physical and spiritual) to receive the sign of the covenant, the Law, which required male circumcision. However, in the new covenant, announced by Jesus in the New Testament, this is not the case¹⁰. Under the new covenant, it is those who put their faith and trust in Jesus who receive the sign of the covenant, baptism. While many churches baptize infants, infant baptism is not prescribed or described anywhere in the Bible.

Methods of Baptism

There are three primary methods of baptism: immersion, aspersion, and affusion.

Immersion

Baptism by immersion is performed by submerging an individual in the water. Immersion is the predominant method of baptism practiced by churches today that most closely corresponds to early church practice. Eastern Orthodox and some Protestant denominations practice this method of baptism. Matthew describes Jesus’ baptism, saying that he came up from the water¹¹. Also, in Acts, Philip and the eunuch went down into the water for the baptism¹².

Romans provides a clear picture of baptism by immersion that signifies the true meaning of baptism¹³. This passage presents the inner reality behind the outward act of baptism. As a believer is immersed in the water, his life is buried with Christ into His death. When then raised out of the water, the believer is likewise raised to a new life that is united with Christ through the power and glory of Jesus. The old self is dead and buried, and the new self is raised to walk in the same power that raised Jesus from the dead. Baptism is a powerful outward declaration of God’s inner work in the life of a believer.

Aspersion

Aspersion baptism is conducted by sprinkling water onto someone’s head. Both Catholics and some Protestants practice this type of baptism. Proponents argue that the Greek word “baptizo” means to put an element or liquid on or above. Those who practice this type of baptism view this as a valid alternative to immersion. The Westminster Confession of Faith states, “Dipping of the person into the water is not necessary; but baptism is rightly administered by pouring or sprinkling water upon the person.” The Confession does not say that dipping is invalid; it merely says that sprinkling is valid. In the New Testament, there are no examples of baptism by aspersion (sprinkling).

Affusion

Affusion baptism is performed by pouring water on a person’s head. Some affusionists believe that baptism is valid only if the water is moving; they, therefore, teach that immersion in stagnant water or sprinkling is not valid. Some affusionists believe that affusion is another valid form of baptism, along with immersion and sprinkling. There are no examples in the New Testament of baptism by affusion (pouring).