In churches today, there is a lot of confusion about what baptism is and isn’t. While there’s a broad range of denominational expressions of baptism, even among baptistic, non-denominational churches like ours, there can be significant differences in meaning and practice. Many churches frame baptism as “going public for Jesus” or as a “visual testimony of individual faith.”
Some even tie baptism directly to local church membership, using it as a means of church discipline. At Good Shepherd, we take a different—or perhaps more historical—approach. Rather than seeing baptism as “our thing” or something primarily about us and what we’re doing for God, we view it as entirely “God’s thing,” focused on Him and what He has done for us.
In light of our upcoming baptism class in mid February, here is part one of a two part series of blog posts on baptism, God’s gracious gift of water and the Word.
God’s Promise in Baptism
What is baptism? At its core, baptism is God’s pledge (or promise) to us of our union with Christ. It is a visible and tangible declaration of the gospel, impressed upon our bodies through water and the Word. Baptism assures us that we have been united with Jesus in His death, burial, and resurrection. It is the “gospel in water.”
Through baptism, God assures us of all of the blessings of salvation: the washing away of sin (Acts 22:16), regeneration and renewal by the Spirit (Titus 3:5-7), and newness of life (Romans 6:4). These promises are not just spiritual concepts—they are made tangible through water and the Word in baptism.
As Good Shepherd Bible Church’s Statement of Faith says:
“Baptism is God’s pledge to us, through water and the Word, of our union with Christ. It is a sign and seal of our participation in His death and resurrection, of our sins being washed away, of our incorporation into His body—the Church, and our being filled with the Holy Spirit.”
A Gift from God, Not a Work of Man
It is crucial to understand that baptism is not something we do for God—it is something God does for us. Through baptism, God acts and speaks on behalf of His people. While the water and the human agent are visible elements of baptism, the true work belongs to God. This is why baptism is administered in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19). Baptism rests entirely on God’s authority, will, and power, not on human invention or effort.
The Protestant Reformers emphasized this point to counter the idea that baptism is merely a symbolic human action. Martin Luther called baptism a divine work, saying: “God stakes His honor, His power, and His might on it.”
Because it is God’s work, baptism is more than just a symbol or memorial—it is a sacred act in which God uses ordinary elements (like water) to give us all of His extraordinary grace.
Baptism as God’s Command
Jesus commanded His followers to baptize as part of the Great Commission: “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” (Matthew 28:19-20).
This command underscores the divine origin of baptism. It is not a human invention but a practice instituted by Jesus Himself. To obey this command is to trust in God’s promises and submit to His authority. Obedience is all about faith in the promise. Peter declares this in Acts 2:38-39: “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. For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to Himself.”
Faith and Baptism
Baptism and faith are inseparably linked. While the water itself has no inherent special power, the Word of God gives baptism its efficacy as the water is applied. Faith is the means by which we receive the promises offered in baptism. As Augustine once said, “The Word is added to the element, and it becomes a sacrament.”
Faith clings to the promise of God in baptism. It is not the act of being baptized that saves, but rather trusting in the God who works through baptism. This faith rejects any notion of human merit and rests entirely on the grace of God.
Baptism as a Sign and Seal
Baptism is a sign and seal of the gospel. As a sign, it points to the realities of Christ’s work: His death (being submersed into the water), resurrection (being brought up from the water), and the cleansing of sin (the wholistic wetness that comes from the water). As a seal, it guarantees that these realities belong to those who believe in what it promises. Paul writes in Galatians 3:27: “For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.”
This means that baptism is not just a reminder of God’s grace—it is a means by which God gives us faith, strengthens our faith, and sustains our faith in His promises.
Baptism and Daily Repentance
Though baptism happens once in the life of a believer, its significance endures throughout the Christian life. In speaking about sanctification (or growth in the Christian life) Paul reminds us in Romans 6:3-4: “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, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.”
Baptism calls us to daily repentance, to embrace the promise that we have died to sin and are now alive in Christ. Remembering our baptism stirs our faith and reminds us of our identity in Christ. Luther famously said: “Our whole life should be baptism, and the fulfilling of the sign or sacrament of baptism, since we have been set free from all else and given over to baptism alone, that is, to death and resurrection.”
Conclusion
Baptism is one of God’s greatest gifts to His people. It is His pledge of grace, a visible sign of the gospel, and a means by which He strengthens our faith. Through water and the Word, God assures us of our union with Christ, our cleansing from sin, and our new life in the Spirit. Through baptism, we are His and He is ours.
At Good Shepherd Bible Church, we baptize in obedience to Christ’s command and in faith that He is at work through this sacrament. Baptism is not just a ritual or ordinance—it is a divine sacrament, a gift through which God proclaims and accomplishes His saving work.
If you have questions about baptism or would like to learn more, we invite you to reach out to us or join us for worship as we believe, grow and hope in Jesus. Together, we can rejoice in the promise of new life in Christ that baptism gives.
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.