Through the Apostle Peter, Jesus Christ commands true Christians to “repent, and be baptized” (Acts 2:38). Therefore, it is crucial that we understand the biblical teaching on baptism. Yet since the time Christ first gave that simple command, people have distorted His instruction beyond recognition. Man no longer understands how to be baptized properly, or even who should be baptized. In fact, most do not even know why they should be baptized at all. The Bible reveals the answers to all of these important questions.
What Is Baptism?
Before we can understand the how and the why of baptism, it is important that we know exactly what baptism is. We should, of course, look to Jesus Christ’s example. After all, the only reason He was baptized was to set an example for you and me.
In Matthew 3:16, it states that Christ “went up straightway out of the water.” Clearly, He was immersed in the water. The Greek word for “baptize” is baptizo, which means to immerse. It does not mean to sprinkle or to pour.
Notice the following excerpt from All About Water Baptism, by Herbert W. Armstrong: “When one understands the meaning of the words inspired, it is silly to talk about ‘which form or mode of baptizing shall we use—sprinkling, pouring or immersing?’ It is as ridiculous as to ask which form of immersing shall we use—sprinkling, pouring or immersing? Or as to ask ‘which form or mode of skiing shall we use—swimming, ice-skating or skiing?’ Swimming and ice-skating are not skiing. Sprinkling and pouring are not baptizing.”
So we see that the baptism ceremony involves being immersed in the water as Jesus Christ was.
Why Baptism?
Having seen the scriptural method of baptism, we must ask why we are to be baptized.
“Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy [Spirit]” (Acts 2:38). Baptism results in the forgiveness of our sins. As this verse shows, our sins must be forgiven before we can receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
The Apostle Paul explained the symbolism of the baptism ceremony in Romans 6:3-4: “Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with himby baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.” Regarding this scripture, Mr. Armstrong wrote, “Going down into the water pictures the death of Christ, and of the old self. Burial in the water pictures the burial of Christ, and of the old self. Coming up out of the water pictures Christ’s resurrection, and a spiritually resurrected person walking henceforth ‘in newness of life’” (ibid).
The baptized individual comes out of the water as a new person who has determined to leave behind his or her old, sinful ways. This person has shown, through baptism, readiness to obey God and live His way of life.
Who Should Be Baptized?
Some have said that children—even babies—should be baptized. Others have even said that a person can be baptized on behalf of the deceased. We can know if this is so by looking at the two qualifications for baptism listed in Acts 2:38. The first is repentance. We must truly abhor sin and be ready to obey God. The second qualification is belief (Mark 16:16). This is a faith “toward” Jesus Christ (Acts 20:21). We begin developing the faith of Christ in us after we receive the Holy Spirit. This takes place immediately after baptism in a separate ceremony called the laying on of hands.
A child could not possibly understand what he or she was undertaking. A child’s mind is simply not ready to understand the symbolism of the baptism ceremony, or to bear the responsibility of this decision. Children don’t even know what true repentance and belief are!
The idea that you would be baptized for a deceased person also ignores the required attitude of belief and repentance required for baptism. Baptism is for those who are ready to accept the responsibility of their decision.
To understand repentance more deeply, please request our booklet Repentance Toward God.
The Baptism Ceremony
The baptism ceremony itself also has certain requirements.
We are to be baptized “in the name of Jesus Christ” (Acts 2:38). This refers to His authority. Regardless of what human instrument does the baptizing—typically a minister—it is by the authority of Christ that we receive His Spirit.
Scripture also reveals that we should be baptized “in the name of the Father and of the Son, and of the Holy [Spirit]” (Matthew 28:19). The Greek word for “in” would be better translated ”into,” for we are not baptized into any denomination or church organization, but into the divine Family of the living God. For more information on this astounding truth, request our free booklet God Is a Family.
How Soon Should You Be Baptized?
The only question remaining is, how long should one wait before seeking baptism? Mr. Armstrong answers clearly: “Just as soon as one has been convicted in his heart of his past sins and sinful life—just as soon as one realizes his own way of life has been wrong, and becomes sick and tired of it, and turns from his own ways and wants to find God’s ways and live them; truly repents of his past life of sins, and believes in and accepts Jesus Christ as personal Savior, and the One whom he must obey henceforth, and wants to turn to the changed, different, new and happy life of faith in Christ Jesus, and to become a child of God—then that person should be baptized immediately if possible—and if this is not possible, then as soon as possible” (ibid).
Baptism is a serious responsibility. It is necessary to be grounded in the teachings of God’s true Church before baptism so that the individual truly understands the importance of this decision. After he or she has thoroughly studied the teachings Jesus Christ has established in His Church, he or she should counsel with a minister of God who can help the person deeply understand and count the costs of this most important decision.