Baptism

What Do We As Baptists Believe About Baptism?

The New Testament church has two ordinances: baptism and the Lord's Supper. They do not save; rather, they are symbols of what has taken place in the life of a believer.

Christian baptism symbolizes the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus. It also shows the Christian's death to the old life of sin, its burial, and his or her resurrection to a new life in Christ. (See Romans 6:4-6; Colossians 2:12.) Baptism also shows faith in the coming resurrection from the dead (1 Corinthians 15:13 and following).

In the New Testament, only people who had received Christ by faith were baptized, and that is the pattern which Baptists believe is important today. For that reason, Baptists do not baptize infants, but only people who have realized their need for salvation and have publicly professed their faith in Christ.

What is the proper method of baptism? The New Testament word which is translated "baptism" means to dip, submerge, or immerse. Therefore, Baptists believe the only appropriate way to baptize is by immersion, that is, lowering the person into the water and then bringing him or her up again. This is important because this was the method used in the New Testament and because it is the only method which correctly pictures the meaning of baptism. That meaning is the symbol of death, burial, and resurrection. Both the method and the meaning are important for an act to be considered Christian baptism.

In summary, then, baptism follows salvation. It is not necessary for salvation, but it is important as an act of obedience to the Lord. As Jesus was returning to heaven, he commanded his disciples to teach and to baptize (Matthew 28:19-20). Baptism is the Christian's response to that command of Jesus. It is a way of publicly identifying with the people of God. Most churches require baptism before a person is admitted to church membership. The other church ordinance, the Lord's Supper, also follows baptism.

For further reading on our beliefs see our Baptist Faith & Message

©Copyright 2009 North American Mission Board, SBC