Baptism is not a personal choice, but a command for believers. Jesus established water
baptism as an ordinance when He gave The Great Commission (Matthew 28:19, Mark 16:16).
What is Water Baptism?
Water baptism is a public, outward testimony that indicates a personal, inward faith. It gives
evidence of the inner change that has already occurred in the believer's life when he or she
was "born again" through faith in Jesus Christ. Also see "Salvation"
Baptism identifies the believer with the message of the gospel, the Person of Jesus Christ, and other believers. It associates the believer with the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, and signifies the believer's death to the old life and his or her resurrection as a new creation in Christ (Romans 6:1-8, Col. 2:12). Why We Should be Baptized
We are to be baptized because Jesus Christ commanded it (Matt. 28:19), and because we love the Lord.
Jesus said, "If you love Me, keep My commandments" (John 14:15). Throughout the book
of Acts, we read how the early church gave importance to water baptism (Acts 2:41; 8:12, 38, 9:18; 10:47-48;
16:15, 33; 19:3-5).
Who Should be Baptized
All born-again believers in Jesus Christ -- and only believers -- should be baptized (Mark 16:15-16; Acts 8:12, 36-38;
16:31-33; 18:8).
Should Infants and Children be Baptized?
After Peter spoke at Pentecost, "those who gladly received his word [in its entirety] were baptized" (Acts 2:41).
In the New Testament, every instance in which person was baptized and his or her identity was given, that
person was an adult. In light of Scripture, infant baptism must be ruled out, because infants cannot
receive the Word of God and understand it. However, infants are to be dedicated
to the Lord (I Samuel 1:26-28). Children may be baptized if they receive and understand God's Word.
Is Water Baptism Necessary for Salvation?
The Bible clearly teaches that we are saved by grace through faith (Eph. 2:8-9) and according to God's
mercy (Titus 3:5). The thief on the cross next to Jesus had no time to be baptized; yet Jesus
promised that he would be with Him in Paradise that day (Luke 23:43). The Bible contains no record of
Jesus baptizing anyone -- a strange omission if baptism was essential for salvation. The Apostle Paul
declared, "For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel..." (I Corin. 1:17).
This indicates that salvation is a response of faith to the gospel -- not the act of baptism. Therefore, water
baptism is not an act of salvation, but an act of obedience.
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