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In the Bible, there are only two ordinances – baptism and the Lord’s Supper. The focus here will be baptism. Who instituted baptism? Who should be baptized? What is the mode of baptism? Who should administer baptism? Finally, what is the purpose of baptism, and what does it represent?

In order to understand baptism’s origin, we must look to the gospels. John the Baptist was the first man to baptize by the authority of God (Matthew 3:1-12; Mark 1:1-8; Luke 3:1-18). Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ was baptized by John the Baptist (Matthew 3:13-17; Mark 1:9-11; Luke 3:21-22). The Bible teaches us that Jesus never baptized, but his disciples did (John 4:2). Before Jesus ascended into heaven, he commanded his disciples to continue the practice of baptism. “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.” (Matthew 28:19-20). There are also many examples of when the New Testament church practiced baptism: Acts 2:41; Acts 8:12; Acts 8:35-38; Acts 10:44-48; Acts 16:33; and many more.

Having established the origin and early history of baptism, more questions arise. First of all, who should be baptized? Clearly, the Bible teaches that only people who have been saved by the grace of God should be baptized. The Bible teaches that salvation requires heart-felt repentance and faith in Jesus Christ. The following scriptures show that only people who have had faith in Christ and who have repented unto salvation should be baptized:

Matthew 3:7-10

“But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance: And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham. And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.”

Mark 1:4

“John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.”

Acts 2:41

“Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.”

Acts 8:35-38

“Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus. And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.”

As we can see from these scriptures, only people who have truly repented and believed on Christ should be baptized. Baptism is the “answer of a good conscience toward God” (1 Peter 3:21), and therefore people who have not been saved cannot be baptized. This includes infants or small children. There are absolutely no examples of infant baptism anywhere in the Bible. Only people who have a testimony of salvation should be baptized.

Now that we have established who is to be baptized, what is the true mode of baptism? There are a variety of forms used in the world today: sprinkling, pouring, immersion, and others. Even so, the Bible teaches that immersion is the only true form of baptism. Immersion is where someone is completely submerged under the water and brought back up out of the water. The word baptize comes from the Greek word, baptizo which literally means to immerse, dip, or wash. Since the word baptizo literally means immerse, shall we not immerse?

There are many scriptures that demonstrate immersion:

Matthew 3:16

“And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water:”

John 3:23

“And John also was baptizing in Aenon near to Salim, because there was much water there: and they came, and were baptized.”

Baptism represents the burial and resurrection of Christ. Only immersion would fulfill the symbolism (Romans 6:1-6). Also, when someone is baptized, it should be done in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost (Matthew 28:19). Therefore, the mode of baptism is immersion, and should be done in the name of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.

Who should administer baptism? We can see in the Bible that John the Baptist, the apostles, and ordained ministers had the authority to baptize. Since John the Baptist and the apostles are all dead, this leaves ordained ministers. The administrator of baptism should be an ordained minister who has been given authority by a sound church.

Finally, what is the purpose of baptism, and what does it represent? To begin with, baptism is a public profession of faith in Christ. The Bible teaches that once someone gets saved, it is his duty to follow Christ in baptism (Matthew 28:19-20). Baptism is also a requisite for church membership. In the New Testament, only baptized believers were church members.

Baptism is not a requisite for salvation. The apostle Paul wrote, “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9). We are not saved by ritual, even if the ritual is the holy ordinance of baptism. We are saved by grace through faith. Salvation is not of works. The only requisite for salvation is true heart-felt faith in Christ and true repentance, which are inseparable graces. The Old Testament saints were not baptized, because baptism did not exist then. Nevertheless, they were saved. The malefactor who was crucified next to Jesus was not baptized, but Jesus told him that he would be with him in Paradise (Luke 23:39-43). Also, 1 Peter 3:21 teaches that baptism is an answer of a good conscience towards God. How can an unsaved person have a good conscience toward God? It is impossible. True baptism is a Christian’s profession of faith and entrance into the church. It is not, however, necessary for salvation.

What does baptism represent? Baptism represents two things – Jesus’ burial and resurrection, and the believer’s death to sin and birth into newness of life. This can be seen from 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 him by 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.”

Therefore, baptism not only symbolizes Jesus’ burial and resurrection, but it also symbolizes the believer’s death to sin and new birth.

Baptism is the first of the two ordinances of Christ. It was initiated by John the Baptist, and was carried out by the New Testament church. The church was commanded to practice it. Only people who have been saved by the grace of God should be baptized. The mode of baptism is immersion, and should only be performed by the proper administrator. It should be done in the name of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Baptism is a profession of faith in Christ and the entrance into church membership. Baptism represents two things. The first is Jesus’ burial and resurrection, and the second is the believer’s death to sin, and birth into newness of life. Baptism is not to be taken lightly, and we should be careful never to go outside the parameters that the Bible has given us. Baptism was ordained by God, and we should be careful to regard it as such.