“We have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that…we too may walk in newness of life.”
Romans 6:4
Baptism Is Immersion
The ordinary New Testament word for baptism describes dipping or immersing. The accounts themselves show people going down into water and coming up from it, while Romans 6 and Colossians 2 describe baptism as a burial and raising. Sprinkling and pouring do not portray this God-given picture of death, burial, and resurrection with Christ.
Matthew 3:16; John 3:23; Acts 8:38–39; Romans 6:3–4; Colossians 2:12
Baptism Is for Believers Who Repent
Jesus placed belief before baptism, and Peter instructed convicted hearers to repent and be baptized. New Testament examples describe people hearing, believing, confessing Christ, and then willingly entering the water. Baptism is therefore not an unconscious ceremony performed upon someone unable to hear or believe; it is an obedient response of faith.
Mark 16:16; Acts 2:37–38; 8:12, 35–38; 18:8
Baptism Is Connected With Forgiveness
The apostles did not describe baptism as an outward sign that merely follows salvation. Peter joined it with forgiveness, Ananias told Saul to be baptized and wash away his sins, and Peter later said baptism saves through the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Water has no magical power; God saves through Christ as faith obeys His command.
Acts 2:38; 22:16; 1 Peter 3:21
Baptized Into Christ and His Body
Baptism is the gospel moment in which a believer is united with Christ’s death, clothed with Christ, and brought into the one body. This does not make baptism a human work of merit. It is submission to the working of God, who raises the believer through faith. The saving power belongs to Christ’s blood and resurrection.
Romans 6:3–7; 1 Corinthians 12:13; Galatians 3:26–27; Colossians 2:12
One Baptism, One New Life
By the time Ephesians was written, the church confessed one baptism. Those baptized into Christ are called to consider themselves dead to sin and alive to God. Baptism must never be reduced to a completed ritual; it marks the beginning of discipleship, holiness, worship, fellowship, and faithful service under Jesus.
Ephesians 4:4–6; Romans 6:11–18; Matthew 28:19–20
Review and Discussion
Questions for further study
- Does my baptism match the New Testament’s immersion of a believing penitent?
- Why does Romans 6 connect baptism with Christ’s death and resurrection?
- How do grace, faith, and baptism work together without human merit?
- What new life should follow baptism?