Baptism is one of the most significant moments of faith in the Christian life. It is far more than a symbolic ritual; it is a gift from God, a divine promise, uniting His people to Christ and to one another. Through baptism, we are assured that we are part of God’s covenant people, His Church, and that we share in the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ.
Yet the question of who should be baptized has been debated for centuries. Does baptism belong to anyone born into a Christian family? Is it only for those who profess faith in Jesus? And what about children? To answer these questions, we need to examine what Scripture teaches about the recipients of baptism.
God’s People in Baptism
At its core, baptism is a sacrament that unites to with Christ and identifies us with Him. But it also identifies us together as God’s people and unites us with His body, the Church. The Church is described in Scripture as the body of Christ, with Jesus as the head and every believer as a member. This unity is both a gift and a calling.
Baptism is God’s public declaration that we are His and and through it, He marks us as His own. But this raises an important question: who should receive this sacrament?
The Biblical Pattern: Faith Before Baptism
The New Testament consistently shows that baptism follows faith. Time and time again, baptism is administered to those who hear the Word of God, believe in the Gospel, and receive the Holy Spirit.
For instance, in Acts 8, Philip preached the good news of Jesus Christ to the people of Samaria. Those who believed were baptized. In Acts 10, Peter baptized Cornelius and his household after they received the Holy Spirit. Even in cases of “household baptisms,” such as Lydia’s in Acts 16, the context suggests that faith was present before baptism was administered. Lydia believed the Gospel, and as a result, her household was baptized.
The Priority of Preaching
Seen within the New Testament pattern of baptism is the centrality of the proclaimed Gospel – or preaching. Faith comes by hearing the Word of Christ, as Paul explains in Romans 10. Baptism receives the promise declared in the preaching of the Gospel.
This is why the Church has always prioritized preaching as the primary means of building and gathering God’s people. Baptism follows the proclamation of the Gospel as a visible sign and seal of an invisible reality: the work of God in the heart of a believer.
For those who worry about whether they are truly saved if they haven’t been baptized, Scripture offers comfort. The thief on the cross, for example, was promised eternal life by Jesus even though he was never baptized. Salvation comes through faith in Christ. However, though baptism is not necessary for salvation, it is God’s chosen means of signifying and sealing His promises to us in response to the Gospel. Through baptism, God assures us of our union with Christ and promises us all of His saving grace. In this way, baptism is can be talked about as saving (1 Peter 3:21).
What About Children?
The question of whether children should be baptized often stirs strong opinions. While the New Testament doesn’t explicitly address infant baptism, it does provide guidance on the role of children in the Kingdom of God. Jesus welcomed children and pointed to their faith and humility as a model for all believers.
Children who make a reasonable profession faith in Christ should be baptized. Baptized children should also be nurtured in the faith, welcomed into the sacramental life of the church and taught to rely on God’s promises rather than their own efforts. Children who have been baptized should not be made to doubt the efficacy of their baptism on the basis of their ongoing doubts or struggles with sin. They should be constantly pointed back to the promises of God in their baptisms in order to feed their faith and cause them to grow (Romans 6:1-12). They should be reminded often that Baptism is not primarily about what we do for God; it is about what God has done for us in Christ.
What If Baptism Wasn’t Done “Right”?
Sometimes, people question whether their baptism was valid—whether it was done at the right time, in the right way, or with the right understanding. These are important questions, but they shouldn’t lead to anxiety as if baptism is all about us and our doing.
Baptism is ultimately God’s work, not ours. Even if our understanding was imperfect at the time, God’s pact of baptism remains true. If the minister who administered your baptism fell into sin, that does not negate the power of God’s promise. Even if you fell away from the faith after being baptized and are now desiring to trust Christ again, your sin does cancel the covenant of God in Christ given to you in your baptism.
For those considering rebaptism, it’s important to remember that baptism is a one-time sign of God’s covenant. Just as God’s promises never change, there is no need for re-baptism if it was done in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit and is received by faith.
The Mode of Baptism
How should baptism be performed? While immersion best reflects the imagery of death and resurrection with Christ, other modes, such as sprinkling or pouring, are also valid. The power of baptism doesn’t lie in the amount of water used but in God’s Word and promise attached to it. What’s most important is the promise of Christ in baptism: our identification with Him, our cleansing from sin, and our union with His body.
At Good Shepherd, we believe that baptism by immersion most clearly proclaims the realities of the Gospel and it also seems to fit the ordinary interpretation of New Testament practices. Therefore, immersion is our normal practice.
Unity Through Baptism
Baptism is not only a personal act of faith; it’s also a communal act of unity. Through baptism, believers are united to Christ and to one another. This unity is a gift from God, and it comes with the responsibility to pursue peace, humility, and love within the Church.
Paul reminds us in Ephesians 4 that there is “one Lord, one faith, one baptism.” While Christians may differ on the details of baptism, we are called to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
Conclusion: God’s Work in Baptism
Baptism is God’s gift to His people—a sign and seal of our union with Christ. It is God’s promise of our participation in His death and resurrection, the washing away of our sins, and our inclusion in His Church.
Whether you’re a new believer, a child professing faith, or someone with questions about baptism, we want to ground your heart in the assurance-giving realities of baptism. We certainly are here to help you take the next step – whatever that is. We are here to help you believe, grow and hope in Jesus.
Good Shepherd Bible Church is an Acts 29 church located in Pataskala, OH serving the eastern Columbus area.
We invite you to explore our website to learn more about GSBC, consider connecting at our church, or read about our core beliefs.