What does the Bible say about baptism?
Baptism is a simple, important act performed by Christians to signify the death and burial of their old selves and their new birth in Christ. It does not signify membership in any particular church or denomination. It is, along with communion, one of only two Christian observances specifically commanded by Jesus and referred to in the New Testament.
The word baptism comes from the Greek word baptizo, which means to immerse or bury. There is no Biblical record or Biblical basis for any form of baptism that does not involve complete immersion in water. Jews practiced a form of baptism at the time of Christ. There were ritual baths (mikveh) that can still be seen at the ruins of the Temple. Most scholars agree that these were for periodic ritual purification, and not for the initiation of Gentiles into Judaism.
It is, however, abundantly clear from Scripture that authentic Christian baptism is directly linked to a person's conversion from their old sinful way of life to a new life in Christ. There is also no scriptural basis for any religious ritual involving a child or infant who has not consciously repented for his or her sins. The sprinkling of water on a child can in no way be construed as the conversion baptism commanded by Christ.
The following verses help to clarify Biblical teaching on this subject:
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, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, to the end of the age. -Matthew 28:19-20
Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. -Acts 2:38
Why do you wait? Rise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on His name.
-Acts 22:16
Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. For if we have been united with him in a death like His, we shall certainly be united with Him in a resurrection like His. -Romans 6:3-5
Note these scriptures directly link baptism to death of our old lives and our birth into a new life in Christ. Infant/child baptisms can't be retroactively linked with the decision we make later as teens or adults to follow Jesus. That decision requires the one baptism referred to in Ephesians 4.
This is not an attack on any religious tradition. However, Jesus knew that traditions can cause people to sidestep His instructions. Here are His own words:
"You nullify the word of God by your tradition that you have handed down. And you do many things like that." -Mark 7:13
We dont want to nullify the word of God by following traditions that don't line up with the teachings of the Bible. That is why all believers should obey Christ and be baptized.
