Baptism is one of the most significant practices in Christianity. Whether you’ve seen someone get baptized or are considering it yourself, you may be wondering: what does the Bible say about baptism?
There’s rich symbolism and deep meaning in the tradition of baptism – let's explore what the Bible has to say about it!
What is baptism?
Baptism is a practice in which an individual is briefly dunked underwater – whether it’s in a pool or in a naturally-occurring body like a lake or a river. (In some churches, you may see babies baptized by sprinkling water on their heads.) The water is a symbol of what Jesus did for us when he died on the cross: he washed our sins away.
At a baptism, you may also hear someone’s story of how they met Jesus and why they chose to follow him. You will also typically hear them make a statement of faith or respond to a question like, “Have you trusted Jesus as your Lord and Savior?”
The meaning of baptism in the Bible
The Bible describes baptism as more than just a religious ritual. It’s a powerful symbol of faith and transformation. There are two main things baptism represents in the faith journey of a Christian:
- It’s a public statement of faith. Baptism represents someone's belief in Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection. When someone gets baptized, they are taking a public action to declare that they have committed to follow Jesus.
- It's a commitment to living a life changed by Christ. While baptism itself doesn’t forgive our sins and mistakes, it symbolizes the forgiveness and cleansing we can only receive through Jesus. It also demonstrates our commitment to turn away from our old self and follow Jesus in how we live. Like Romans 6:6 says, “We know that our old sinful selves were crucified with Christ so that sin might lose its power in our lives. We are no longer slaves to sin.”
Jesus was baptized
In Matthew 3:13-17, Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist. As the perfect Son of God, Jesus didn’t need to be baptized. He did it to lead the way and set an example for his followers.
After he rose from the dead, Jesus instructed his followers to baptize new believers – a quote from the Bible we now know as the Great Commission: “Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 28:19-20).
Do I need to be baptized to be saved?
Different churches may believe different things about baptism. At LCBC, we believe baptism, as symbolic and meaningful as it is as it is, is just that – a symbol. Baptism does not save us. Here’s how we know that based on what the Bible says about baptism:
- Only faith saves us: The Bible is clear that salvation only comes through faith in Jesus Christ, not through any action we take (Ephesians 2:8-9).
- Baptism is a demonstration of faith: It’s only in response to faith in Jesus that someone would choose to be baptized. Acts 22:16 doubles down on this: “What are you waiting for? Get up and be baptized. Have your sins washed away by calling on the name of the Lord.”
Who can get baptized?
At LCBC, we believe anyone who has decided to follow Jesus and trust him as their Savior can be baptized. You don’t have to be a Christian for a certain amount of time or “have it all together.”
Even your child can get baptized if they’ve made the personal decision to follow Jesus! We have some advice on how to approach that conversation with them if they’re showing interest.
Is baptism your next step?
Baptism is a significant step of faith that symbolizes obedience, transformation, and a public commitment to Jesus. If you’re ready to take that step and go public with your faith, let us know! We'd love to talk more with you.
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Sometimes there are misconceptions that hold us back from getting baptized. Here are some of the biggest ones, and the truth that could impact your decision for the better!
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LCBC stands for Lives Changed By Christ. We are one church in multiple locations across Pennsylvania. Find the location closest to you or join us for Church Online. We can’t wait to connect with you!