Baptism 101: Your Essential Guide to the Basics

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Do you know someone who is being baptized? Were you invited to a ceremony? Have you heard baptism mentioned at church but not sure what it involves? Is it puzzling why some religions do infant baptism while others wait until a person is grown? Has someone asked you to be baptized? With the Bible as our guide, this article will help you understand this holy sacrament.

We will cover:

Meaning of baptism
Types of baptism
Reason for baptism
Misconceptions of baptism
What happens at a baptism
Frequently asked questions
My story

Meaning of Baptism

Baptism is an outward declaration of an inward decision to follow Jesus Christ, whereby one is immersed in water - or sprinkled with water in cases when immersion is not feasible or safe.

Throughout Scripture, water represents both life and death. Beginning with creation, God turned formless, empty waters into verdant lands and biodiverse seas. Over centuries, humanity increasingly turned away from God, eventually leading to a level of depravity that was not life sustaining - so God buried the earth again in water, giving life anew to a people devoted to God and His design of love, abundance, and purpose. Many generations later, God led His people out of slavery by splitting the Red Sea, so they could escape the pursuing army set on forcing them back to servitude. After forty years wandering in the wilderness, God split the waters for them again - this time it was the Jordan River, and it was to make a clear path for His people to thrive in a bountiful land.

More than a millennium later, John the Baptist urged the Jews to turn from their sins and be saved from death and destruction. He testified that God sent Him to prepare hearts for the promised Messiah's arrival to save people from their sins and give them eternal life. John invited onlookers to be baptized in the waters of the Jordan River as a symbol of faith, and he explained that Jesus would baptize believers with the Holy Spirit.

Types of Baptism

Infant Baptism

Several liturgical denominations, like Catholic and Anglican, have a tradition of baptizing babies when parents make this choice for their children. It is carried out by the reverend sprinkling water on the infant's forehead.

If your parents or guardian had you infant baptized (also known as christening), they were making a public statement of faith - pledging you to the Lord in their hearts. Many churches have a ceremony called, dedication, that looks similar but is different at the core in that the parents promise to teach their children about God and demonstrate His love to them while acknowledging that each individual has the right and responsibility to make their own choice as to whether they will devote their lives to the Lord.

Believer's Baptism

“Believer’s baptism” indicates that the person being baptized has decide for themselves to believe and follow God. For the sacrament to have true meaning, an individual first needs to hear and believe the gospel message that Jesus, being fully God, came to humanity in the flesh so He could take on the sin of the world thereby bringing forgiveness to all who confess, and entrust their lives to the Lord. After receiving Christ as Lord and Savior, the believer takes part in baptism as a representation that their old self has been buried (immersing in the water), and they have been born again (emerging from the water).

Sometimes a new Christian struggles with the decision to be baptized if they were christened as an infant - not necessarily because of personal opposition but out of fear that their parents would be offended. In these cases, it can often be resolved by gently explaining that the believer's baptism demonstrates that the parents' dedication has led to a personal choice to follow through in faith.

Reason for Baptism

Jesus tells us to be baptized. Just before ascending to heaven, He told the apostles to make disciples throughout the world and to baptize them. Upon receiving the Holy Spirit, the apostles preached the Good News of Jesus Christ to a crowd gathered in Jerusalem for the annual Jewish holiday, Pentecost. In response, overcome with sorrow and belief, the people asked what to do and Peter answered, "repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit."

Repentance, according to the Merriam-Webster online dictionary, means to "change one’s mind.” A mind-shift takes place when becoming a Christian - it's a turning away from a life of sin and turning, instead, to a life of devotion to the Lord. Immediately after repenting and receiving Jesus Christ as Savior, full forgiveness and salvation from sins is received. Taking the next step of being baptized strengthens faith by tangibly and publicly symbolizing inner transformation.

Misconceptions of Baptism

There are some common misunderstandings about baptism; here are just a few. If any resonate with you, I encourage you to talk with a knowledgeable Christian and read Bible verses about baptism, asking God to give you clarity as you read.

Misconception: Baptism is required to go to heaven

Believing and receiving salvation through the Lord, Jesus Christ is what it takes to go to heaven. While some churches teach that baptism is required, Scripture does not support this belief. Luke 23 records an interchange between Jesus and a criminal while they were both being crucified. The criminal asked Jesus for salvation, to which Jesus replied that the man would enter heaven. While it is not a requirement to get into heaven, it is still a command of Jesus. When a person repents and believes in Jesus, the Holy Spirit indwells the believer and then they are to act on their belief by being water baptized.

Misconception: People must "clean up" their life before getting baptized

Choosing to be baptized results from a decision to receive cleansing from God. Nobody is able to cleanse themselves from sin; only God can purify people, and that through Jesus Christ’s death on the cross when He took on our sin and paid the penalty for it. When someone becomes a Christian, they are set free from being controlled by sin. They receive forgiveness and no longer need to feel ashamed.

Misconception: People who are infant baptized can't be baptized again

Understanding that baptism is an outward action representing an inner decision to follow Christ reveals the importance of participating in this sacrament after deciding to become a Christian. A person can be re-baptized if the first baptism was done for some other reason than proclaiming personal faith in Jesus.

What Happens at a Baptism Ceremony

In the act of baptism itself, the individual being baptized and the baptizer enter the water and stand beside one another. Next, each party speaks briefly about the decision to be baptized and the meaning of the rite. Then, the baptizer gently guides the individual in leaning backwards into the water and immediately helps him or her to rise back up out of the water. If someone is unable to get into the water, accommodations are made like sprinkling the individual's head with water.

The details of a ceremony can vary. Baptisms can take place during a regular weekly church service or at a separate time. Oftentimes, the degree of formality is determined by the personality of the church. So, for example, if it is held at a traditional church, it may include the wearing of a white garment over one's clothing and the use of symbolic items like anointing oil, while at a more casual church, you may see people entering the water in everyday attire. Other variations can include:

Location - Common places baptisms take place are in a church's permanent or temporary baptistry, outdoors in a body of water, or in a homeowner's pool.
Number of people being baptized - Some churches hold large ceremonies where dozens of people are baptized while in other cases, there are a couple of people or even just one person being baptized.
How testimonies are shared - A "testimony" is a personal story about a decision to receive Christ as Savior and Lord. Usually, it is in written form and read by the individual being baptized or by a spokesperson.
Officiant - Traditionally, a church minister carries out the baptism, but many congregations allow the individual to choose a Christian friend, family member, or another person who played a pivotal role in their decision to follow Christ.

People can have a variety of emotional responses during baptism - some more expressive than others. Choosing to receive Christ as Savior and Lord is the most important decision anyone can make. When someone comes to understand that their sins are forgiven, their shame is gone, they now live under grace, they are loved unconditionally, and they have a forever friend in Jesus, it often elicits strong feelings of gratitude and joy. It is not uncommon to see people shed happy tears!

Frequently asked questions

Can anyone attend a baptism ceremony? Yes! You don't need to be a churchgoer.

Can I take pictures? Yes, typically. It is often encouraged since baptism is such a monumental experience. For more assurance, simply ask the person being baptized about picture taking.

Do attendees clap after the baptism? Yes! (Maybe there are some that don't?)

How should I dress when attending a baptism ceremony? If you ask me, I say to dress how you feel most comfortable because Jesus wants each of us to come to Him just as we are. However, it you want to blend in then it depends on where the ceremony is being held. It is common to see everyday attire worn at many churches while at some churches business-casual is the norm. If you need more information, ask for guidance from the person who invited you.

How should I dress if I am being baptized? Wow, how wonderful! I am so happy you have come to know Jesus as your personal Savior and Lord! I pray that you will continue to grow in your inner being in the knowledge and experience of God's love. As far as how to dress for your special day, ask your church leadership. One piece of advice...do not wear white clothing since it will be see-through when it gets wet.

My Story

My decision to be baptized came about a year after receiving Christ. Prior to that, I don’t remember knowing about baptism - other than having images of babies being sprinkled with water by men clothed in ornate robes.

Before becoming a Christian, I was an atheist, reasoning that God's existence is not provable and even if it was, the world's problems put into question God's goodness. Then at a time in my life when I needed to know if there was anything more to this life than what I could see, I took a risk by speaking aloud into the air saying, "God if you exist, you need to show me..."

In that moment, a warmth and very real sense of God’s presence came over me. I knew immediately that God loves me, and Jesus became my best friend whom I talked to everyday about almost everything.

About a year later, God impressed upon me that Jesus is meant to be not just my Savior and friend, but also the Lord of my life. This was a big change in thinking because I was accustomed to doing what I wanted, how I wanted, and not interested in having anyone tell me what to do. But God gently asked me if I could trust Him by accepting His Lordship, explaining to me that His guidance comes from a place of love.

Soon after, I became aware of the importance of baptism. I was baptized by the pastor at my church during a regular Sunday service. I read my testimony, shedding more than a couple tears, and was then immersed. As soon as my head emerged from the water, the churchgoers cheered. Afterwards, many members hugged and encouraged me. It was a beautiful experience.

Though I was baptized decades ago, it continues to impact me because it tangibly grounded me in my decision to believe in and devote myself to God.

Where to Go from Here

Being baptized is transformational. And attending a baptism is a very special experience. It is powerful to hear the testimonies of others and watch them take the tangible step of baptism. If you are considering baptism yourself, I encourage you to pray to God and to talk with a Christian who is grounded in the Bible, freely sharing any questions or reservations you have. Reach out to us if we can help!