The Importance of Baptism in the Christian Faith

Anabaptist believers recognized the value of baptism. 2025 was the 500th anniversary of the seeds they planted of religious freedom for a “believer’s baptism.”

baptism!

On January 21st, 1525, a group of reformers met inside Felix’ Manz’s home. The room resonated with prayer and discussion. At issue was the “infant baptism.”

After seeking the Lord’s guidance in prayer, they established believer’s baptism. It was a biblically sound judgment.

Immediately, they exercised the power to baptize as a choice. The men present in that room were baptized by immersion. The revival known as the Anabaptist movement had begun.

It was a costly decision.

The opposition drowned Manz in 1527, becoming the first Anabaptist martyr. While they burned another Anabaptist, Blaurock, at the stake in 1529.

Over time, Christians widely adopted the practice of believer’s baptism, yet the Catholic, Orthodox, and some Protestant churches still practice infant baptism today.

Thanks to those who’ve gone before us, we are free to participate in the believer’s baptism today without fear of our death.

What is baptism?

When Jesus was baptized, He went up immediately from the water. The heavens suddenly opened for Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming down on Him. And a voice from heaven said: “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well-pleased.” Matt 3:16 CSB.

Baptism, as we Protestants know it, is by immersion. We could call it the “believer’s baptism.”

The Greek word “baptizo” signifies immersing, plunging, or dipping rather than sprinkling.

Baptism today in the church is a confession of faith – public recognition of repentance and acceptance of Christ as Lord and Savior. You’ve died to “self” and risen with Christ to a new and blessed journey to eternity.

Baptism is the way we symbolize cleansing, commitment, and spiritual rebirth. We’re called to baptism in the Great Commission (Matt 28:19) if we call ourselves “disciples.”

Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Matt 28:19 CSB.

Jewish Baptism

The Jews are not without baptism. It is called a “mikveh,” a ritual bath. This bath begins by collecting water from a natural, “living” source (such as rainwater).

The purpose is spiritual immersion and purification.

The Old Testament also calls for various cleansing rituals for spiritual and ceremonial purity. The mikveh was necessary to prepare for most religious ceremonies.

Baptism consecrates the person – it sets them aside for God, purifies them, and readies them for worship. It was a serious, sacred exercise of faith.

It is a biblical baptism (Lev 15, Ex 30:17-21, and Num 19:7-8).

Gentile Baptism

If an alien resides among you and wants to observe the LORD’s Passover, every male in his household must be circumcised, and then he may participate; he will become like a native of the land. But no uncircumcised person may eat it. Ex 12:48-49 CSB.

For conversion to Judaism, immersion in the mikveh is the last step in the process.

Some Gentiles converted to Judaism. This choice required a public washing ceremony.

By bathing in the water, the Gentiles publicly announced that they no longer held to their old faith and embraced the Jewish faith wholeheartedly.

This process was both physical and spiritual. Once they came out of the water, the act gave them a new identity and commitment to the Jewish teaching.

Now they gained acceptance into the Jewish community.

Within the Second Temple, in Jerusalem at Jesus’ time, there was a Court of the Gentiles – the outermost courtyard. Specifically, they designed it for Gentiles to pray, learn about, and worship the One True God.

By adding the Court of the Gentiles, we see the fulfillment of Isaiah’s vision: God’s Temple would be a house of prayer (Isa 56:7).

Baptism for Repentance

I baptize you with water for repentance… Matt 3:11a CSB.

John the Baptist introduced a baptism of both repentance and preparation for the coming Messiah. Unlike the Hebrew rituals, John called all people to turn away from sin and get ready for a new era of faith.

Baptism of Belief – The Great Commission Baptism

… baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Matt 28:19b CSB.

The baptism you’ll recognize in our church is best described as the Great Commission baptism: “I baptize you in the name of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit” (see Matt 28:19).

This baptism is seen as both a public announcement symbolizing your faith and your entry into the Christian community. Such a commitment to Christ requires 100 percent commitment.

Infant Baptism – Sprinkling

Some of you reading this article may have experienced infant baptism. It is common in Catholic, Orthodox, and some Protestant traditions.

The Bible does not command or record any instance of infant baptism. Supporters point to the “household” baptisms recorded in Acts 16:33 and the Old Covenant record that included children of the covenant in the faith, so they assume this also includes children of the new covenant.

The promise is for you and your children (Acts 2:39).

The act signifies the cleansing of original sin, spiritual rebirth, and the reception of God’s grace. Now the child is called to live out their faith, participate in sacraments, and grow in their relationship with God.

This baptism is not a believer’s choice. I encourage you to be baptized by immersion and to make a statement of your faith if you were baptized as a child.

Biblical Baptism

And you have been filled by Him, who is the head over every ruler and authority. You were also circumcised in Him with a circumcision not done with hands, by putting off the body flesh, in the circumcision of Christ, when you were buried with Him in baptism, in which you were also raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead. Col 2:110-12 CSB.

The believer’s baptism dramatically expresses the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus. Additionally, it represents the believer’s personal spiritual transformation.

There is a biblical foundation for the believer’s baptism. Jesus commanded it, and He Himself was baptized by immersion in the Jordan River.

Some Christians wait years after making a decision of faith before choosing to be baptized. The sooner you do it, the better. Not because it washes away your sins, but because God is doing an awesome work in your soul. Let the whole world know.

A believer usually receives baptism once in their lifetime, and it serves as both a declaration of faith and an act of obedience commanded by Christ, symbolizing salvation and wholehearted commitment to the Lord Jesus Christ.

⠀⠀Baptism is typically performed only once and often serves as a public declaration of a new, committed Christian life.

Call to Action

If you’re not baptized, will you consider it today? Go discuss it with your pastor. He will point you in the right direction to decide for Christ.

If you have questions or would like to discuss baptism further, please leave a comment in the section below, and I will respond.

Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you (not as the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a good conscience toward God) through the resurrection of Jesus Christ. 1 Pet 3:21 CSB.