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Question: How should I be baptized?

Answer: I will assume here that you are speaking of "water baptism," because there are three baptisms taught in Scripture: The baptism of the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:5), the baptism of a believer into the body of Christ by the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:13), and water baptism (Matthew 28:19). Again I will take it that you mean water baptism in your question, this is an extremely important question, and one that has divided Christians for hundreds of years. However, the Word of God is clear on the need for baptism, and the Church as a whole practices water baptism. There are at least three main interpretations for what water baptism means, and we want to cover these by way of summary in the following paragraphs. Then we could answer your question specifically as to how to be baptized?

The first view could be called, "the sacrament view." In this view Christ founded a special institution to channel His saving grace to people, and that institution is the church. They say that it is through the church, and that Christ commanded special ceremonies called "sacraments" to convey His grace to men, women, children, and babies. The sacraments are outward and visible signs of an inward and spiritual grace given by God trough the church. The word "sacrament" itself comes from three different historical settings. Originally the word meant to make sacred, then it was thought of as a person binding himself or herself to another, last it was used of a Roman soldier to obey his commander even unto death in the service of his country.

The primary historical person to teach this view was St. Augustine, and influential bishop of the early fifth century. He also taught that all humanity was guilty of Adam's disobedience. Water baptism then is given by Christ to the church to negate that guilt and introduce the infant or the adult convert into the saving life of God. According to this view this baby, child, or adult is not fully saved but is 'born again' to begin his or her lifelong quest of full salvation.

The reformer, Martin Luther who (in his book The Babylonian Captivity of the Church) taught justification by faith alone, modified his view on the sacrament of baptism only a little by emphasizing the adult sponsoring the infant in baptism had the necessary faith, or else God gave the infant faith during the baptismal act.

The second view could be called the "covenant view," and was taught in history mainly by John Calvin in his works Institutes of the Christian Religion. John Calvin was a leader in the Protestant Reformation and he taught that under the old covenant (or testament) those who were God's would practice circumcision as a sign of the covenant between Him and his people. So too, in the new covenant, water baptism replaces circumcision as the approved sign of that covenant in the Christian church.

The third view is usually called 'believers' baptism. This view reappeared as a result of the Protestant Reformation by reformers such as the Anabaptists, and Baptists. They were not against baptism, but against the baptism of infants. The crucial point of this view of water baptism is that only those who have personally repented of their sins and have turned to Jesus Christ by faith as their Lord and Savior should be baptized.

They were convinced that this was the teaching of the New Testament. The water baptism was only a symbol of what had already taken place in the heart.

Even though there are some merits to the first two views only this last view in my opinion sums up the teaching of the New Testament on this subject of water baptism. Yes, we believe in a way baptism is a "sacrament," because we believe water baptism is sacred, and that we believe we are dedicating our lives to our commander even unto death. However many Evangelical believers prefer to call baptism a command or ordinance to avoid giving the impression that baptism has a part in salvation. Many passages speak of salvation with no mention of baptism.

We would not find any real difficulty saying baptism is like circumcision in a sense, because it is an outward sign of an inward faith. "In Him you were also circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the sins of the flesh, by the circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the sins of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead." (Colossians 2:11-12)

However, we would have problems with water baptism being used for babies because they do not have the ability of having saving faith at such a tender age (they are saved by the grace of God before the age of accountability, whether they were baptized or not, we have an article called "What is the age of accountability"), nor do we see babies being baptized in the New Testament. This then is probably the crux of the matter, when it comes to differences among believing Christians, and that is, "Does the Bible teach that we should baptize babies or only believers?"

The argument on the side of those who would believe in the baptism of babies would run something like this: There are five references speaking of baptisms of entire households in the New Testament in Acts 10:44-48; 16:11-15, 29-34; 18:7-8; 1 Corinthians 1:16. The problem with this argument is that it does not say specifically in these passages that there were babies baptized. So this argument becomes an, argument of silence, as we call it. The debate then turns to early Church history to see if this was in fact practiced anywhere in the churches. As you might guess you can get people who would try to support both sides, but for us we believe that Scripture is the final authority on any given doctrine, not church history. This being said, we should never let these differences of beliefs come between us as brothers and sisters in Christ. We may need to agree to disagree on this subject, but we still love each other in Christ.

Therefore let us go to what Scripture does say about this question, "How to be baptized?" (1) Christ himself asked to be baptized, not because He had become a believer, but as He said to John the Baptist when requesting baptism: "'Permit it to be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.' Then he allowed Him. Then Jesus, when He had been baptized, came up immediately from the water." (Matthew 3:15-16a) So Jesus was baptized not because He had sin He was repenting of or because He became a convert, but for Him it was to be a good example for us to follow Him in righteousness. Notice also that He went down into the water and came up out of it showing He was fully immersed.

Does that mean that a person who is not fully immersed is not baptized? No, because it is the heart that God is looking at and that is the most important thing? However, how was it practiced in the New Testament? Every reference you find to water baptism in Scripture shows they were immersed, and the word "baptism" itself means in the Greek: "BAPTISMA" consisting of the processes of immersion, submersion and emergence (from baptó, to dip). (VINE'S)

Why immersion you might ask? For the answer to this look at what Paul says water baptism portrays. "Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father." (Romans 6:3-4)

So when we are immersed it is a picture of us dying with Christ, and when we come up out of the water it is a picture of Christ's resurrection, and how that one day even if we die physically our bodies will one day be raised to life just as Christ's body was at His resurrection.

When should we be baptized according to the examples in the Bible? For the answer to this question let us look at the baptism of an African leader. "And behold, a man of Ethiopia, a eunuch of great authority under Candace the queen of the Ethiopians, who had charge of all her treasury, and had come to Jerusalem to worship, was returning. And sitting in his chariot, he was reading Isaiah the prophet. Then the Spirit said to Philip, 'Go near and overtake this chariot.' So Philip ran to him, and heard him reading the prophet Isaiah, and said, 'Do you understand what you are reading?'

"And he said, 'How can I, unless someone guides me?' And he asked Philip to come up and sit with him. The place in the Scripture which he read was this: 'He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb silent before its shearer, so He opened not his mouth. In His humiliation His justice was taken away. And who will declare His generation? For his life is taken from the earth.'

So the eunuch answered Philip and said, 'I ask you, of whom does the prophet say this, of himself or of some other man?' Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning at this Scripture, preached Jesus to him. Now as they went down the road, they came to some water. And the eunuch said, 'See, here is water. What hinders me from being baptized?' Then Philip said, 'If you believe with all your heart, you may.' And he answered and said, 'I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.'"

"So he commanded the chariot to stand still. And both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water, and he baptized him. Now when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught Philip away, so that the eunuch saw him no more; and he went on his way rejoicing." (Acts 8:27b-39) When was he allowed to be baptized? When he believed with all his heart that Jesus Christ is the Son of God he was allowed to be baptized. Again, notice he was immersed, because it says they went down into the water.

Note: Nowhere is Scripture does it say how old a child has to be to be baptized. Some have thought that since Jesus went to the temple when He was twelve children have to be twelve to be baptized. However, Jesus had gone to the synagogue since the time he was born. Yes, as long as the child knows they have received Christ for forgiveness of sins they can be baptized. This maybe at a very early age for children raised in a Christian home, or after given instruction, others may be older before they understand the need and way of salvation. The younger we can reach children with the good news of the gospel the better! I was saved at the age of nine and baptized with my whole family that had received Christ. I have heard of children as young as two or three years old being saved and baptized.

Who's name should we be baptized in? For this answer look at what Jesus said about this: "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.(Matthew 28:19) Some have misunderstood and taught that we should baptized in the 'name of the Lord Jesus' only (Acts 19:5b). In fact, there is a whole denomination that has based it church on this phrase and another like it, "And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord." (Acts 10:48a)

Christ gave the command to all the disciples to baptize in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and this is what they did in these baptisms also, but they just were explaining what happened. They were not quoting all the words used, just stating the fact that these people were baptized in Jesus' name. This would distinguish it from say, what John the Baptist did when he baptized for repentance.

What if a person were baptized only in the name of Jesus, would this mean that they were not truly baptized? I believe God is looking at the heart, but the best is to say "I baptize you in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit," because this is the way it was commanded to be done by Christ Himself. However, what if a person were being married, and the Pastor used a wrong name by accident, would this mean that they were not married? No, obviously not, the intent was to be married, and the two involved were married no matter what mistake the minister made.

How does a person have to go down into the water? Someone might ask, but don't some churches teach that you have to go down into the water three times forward, and some say it is three times backwards? Yes, there are these variations in the baptism ceremonies, in fact probably there are many more variations than these, but it doesn't change the fact that they have been baptized. God again, is not looking at the method so much as the condition of the heart, and the reason for the ceremony.

There is one more major question that we should cover, and that is does baptism save you? No, baptism does not save you, you are saved by grace through faith. "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not our yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast." (Ephesian 2:8-9) "But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life." (Titus 3:4-7) So we are not saved by baptism.

You might ask, "If we are not saved by baptism, then why do some people say that they get this teaching from Scripture?" The main passage they say they get this teaching from is Acts where says: "Then Peter said to them, 'Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit." (Acts 2:38)

"Peter's message was climaxed with essentially the same exhortation as preached by John the Baptist-'the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins' (Luke 3:3). The difference is that now-and ever since-both repentance and baptism are to be 'in the name of Jesus Christ.' This, of course, implies faith in Christ as the only one who can provide remission of sins. Repentance toward God and faith toward Christ are like two sides of the same coin, each of which implies and requires the other."

"The full meaning of baptism in water also had now become evident, testifying of the baptism of the Spirit, as well as the death and resurrection of Christ. It is not that baptism is required for remission of sins (note, for example, the thief on the cross), but rather that baptism is always inseparably associated in Scripture with true repentance and faith." (The Defender's Study Bible, Dr. Henry M. Morris)

Is baptism all that important then if it is not part of salvation?

Yes, I believe Scripture makes this very clear! It is a tremendous testimony to the unsaved because they do not really think you are serious about salvation unless you are baptized. In many countries you can say you are saved and it is no big deal, but if baptized, these people may be disowned by their family. Many Christians have given their lives in order to be baptized for Christ.

If you want to be baptized, since you have received Christ, go to your pastor and request this. If he will not baptize you and you want to be baptized go to a pastor in a church that will baptize you. Satan fights this step of faith "tooth and nail," I remember a girl in Trinidad that wanted to be baptized. She had been demon possessed but was delivered and saved, after which she wanted to be baptized. However, when she went into the water the demon tried to drown her. The demon couldn't harm her though, because Christ is stronger than any demon, and she was gloriously baptized, and we all rejoiced!

Other materials you might consult for further questions. Why Baptism? Bruce L. Shelley from InterVarsity Press, Downers Grove, Illinois 60515.

And another question answered in this study: What does salvation mean to you? is covered in the articles: "What does it mean to be born again?" and "Will heaven be one eternal church service?"

God bless you and thanks for your question,

Gary T. Panell

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Gary Tomás Panell
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Keywords: baptized, baptism, water, Holy Spirit