Introduction to Baptism
Baptism is one of those subjects in the Bible we hear mentioned a lot and that we witness frequently throughout the year, yet most of us have not considered all that baptism truly means. When we come together to celebrate our own baptism or that of our family members or friends, what exactly are we celebrating?
At Ignite Church we want everyone who takes the step of faith to receive baptism to have a better understanding of the significance of what they are doing. We hope to bring clarity to the different aspects of baptism that are not always well understood, as well as give all the more reason to celebrate the occasion of baptism as being a wonderful ordinance given to us by God.
We will ask and answer four different questions related to baptism: What does baptism mean? Who should be baptized? What is the proper method of baptism? What’s next after baptism? These questions will provide the necessary clarity to have a well-informed, biblical perspective on baptism.
What Does Baptism Mean?
Baptism is an ordinance given and instituted by Jesus in Scripture. An ordinance is simply something that God has commanded us to observe. The clearest example we see in the Bible is Matthew 28:19-20:
Go, therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to follow all that I commanded you; and behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age. (NASB)
When Jesus gives this command to His disciples to go and make disciples and baptize them, He was ordaining baptism as something to be practiced by all members within the church. In fact, Jesus was tying it directly to being a disciple. Disciples are to be made in all nations and they are to be baptized in the name of the Triune God.
If baptism is an ordinance given by God and is intended for disciples, what exactly does baptism mean? What is the significance of baptism and what is being accomplished? At Ignite Church, we maintain that baptism represents new life in Christ, entrance into the New Covenant, repentance, and that it is part of sanctification, and a declaration to the church of these truths. We also maintain that baptism does not save a person. We will consider each of these points in order.
Baptism Represents New Life in Christ
First and foremost, the ordinance of baptism represents the fact that we who were dead in our sins now have new life in Christ. Romans 6:3-4 says:
Or do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus have been baptized into His death? Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too may walk in newness of life.
When we are baptized, we are not simply praying and getting wet. We are being baptized into Christ Jesus’ death. The death that He experienced on the cross forgives us of our sinfulness provided we repent and trust in Him through faith (see Eph. 2:8-10 and Rom. 10:5-10). When we are baptized, the act of going under the water and coming back out of the water represents the fact that we have been baptized into the death Jesus physically experienced. The old person is gone, as represented in the going down into the water. The new person is coming to life, as represented in the coming back out of the water. Paul even says we have been buried with Jesus through baptism. As Christ was buried and raised from the dead, so we have been buried and raised to new life in Him.
Along with that, we should recognize that we have been cleansed by Christ in our baptism. The new life is the result of being washed clean by the blood of Christ. The waters of baptism represent cleansing and purity. We were filthy and stained while in our sins, but after repentance and newness in Christ, we are washed clean from the filth and stains.
Baptism Represents the New Covenant
A significant portion of the Bible is concerned with the various covenants that God has made with His people. A covenant is an agreement made between two or more parties that contains commitments and promises from the parties involved. God establishes covenants with Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, David, and with Christ and the church. These people are the covenant representatives, but each of these covenants also involve a group of people, such as Israel or all of humanity. Each covenant guides the work that God does in and through people throughout both the Old and New Testaments. The specific covenant that Christians are under is the New Covenant, which is made with Christ and His church. This covenant is established by the blood of Jesus and promises the total forgiveness of sins to all who are united to Christ by grace through faith (see Matt. 26:26-28 and Jer. 31:31-34).
Often, we see a physical sign that accompanies a covenant that God makes with His people that is intended to represent the reality of what it means to be found within the established covenant. Circumcision was the sign that was given to Abraham at the establishment of the covenant God made with him to establish the nation of Israel (see Gen. 17:9-14). Receiving the sign of circumcision was an indication that a Jew was part of the Covenant and the nation of Israel. This is relevant in the New Testament as well with baptism in the New Covenant. Ignite Church believes that Baptism is a sign of the New Covenant made with Christ and His people as an outward indication that those who receive the sign belong to Christ and are part of His covenant. Colossians 2:11-12 states:
In Him you were also circumcised with a circumcision performed without hands, in the removal of the body of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ, having been buried with Him in baptism, in which you were also raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead.
In this passage Paul is speaking of a spiritual circumcision rather than the physical act of circumcision as was necessary in the Old Testament. Even the physical sign was intended to point to the inward change of heart as can been seen in Jeremiah 4:1-4. This is indicated by the phrase “a circumcision performed without hands.” God has circumcised the hearts of believers and removed the flesh that was bound by sin. Paul continues by drawing a correlation of circumcision to baptism. Those who are circumcised by this spiritual circumcision, rather than by the physical act of circumcision are baptized into Christ. Both are referencing the spiritual nature of what Christ has done.
The significance to consider here is that circumcision was a major topic of debate in the early church. Acts 15 is about the Council of Jerusalem coming together to determine whether Gentiles should be required to receive the physical sign of circumcision. After much debate, the apostles recognized that circumcision was not necessary for the Gentiles. Yet, we see baptism as expected throughout the New Testament for all believers. In Matthew 28, when Jesus commissions His disciples He commands them to make disciples and baptize them. From that point forward, the common pattern is for people to be saved and then baptized immediately (see Acts 2:41, Acts 8:12, and Acts 10:48).
Circumcision was intended to represent the covenant with Abraham, and it identified God’s people in the Old Testament. In a similar, yet distinct way, baptism is intended to represent the New Covenant, and it identifies God’s people in the New Testament. Though the acts are different and neither guarantee the salvation of the individual receiving the ordinance, circumcision and baptism are both outwards signs to identify God’s people in their corresponding covenants.
Baptism Represents Repentance
Baptism very clearly represents repentance. So often in the Bible, baptism is spoken of in conjunction with repentance. A notable example is Acts 2:38:
Peter said to them, “Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Peter tells the crowd he has just addressed to repent and be baptized for the forgiveness of their sins. This should not be confused with the idea that the baptism did the saving; their faith-filled response to Christ’s death and resurrection is what gained them God’s grace. But in the act of salvation, believers are being buried and raised with Christ. Their baptism represented this very thing and was so significant that those who believed were baptized on the spot. They repented from their sins, and then they were baptized, representing the salvation they had just received.
Baptism is Part of the Sanctification of Believers
Baptism is one of the very first steps in our sanctification as believers. When we are first saved, we are justified by Christ’s blood. The guilt from our sins is washed away and God sees us as righteous before Him. After we are justified, the Holy Spirit begins to work in us His work of sanctification. We are to become more like Christ every day and walk in obedience. We do not receive justification and then remain the same as before, we must live for God and begin to act in accordance with our new identity. One of the first acts that begins our sanctification is baptism. We need to look again at the Great Commission in Matthew 28:19-20:
Go, therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to follow all that I commanded you; and behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.
Jesus commands His disciples to make disciples and baptize them. Then He says to teach these new disciples to follow all that He had commanded. First, they become disciples, then they get baptized, and finally they are to follow Jesus’ commands. This suggests that one of the foremost acts of obedience for a disciple of Christ is to receive the ordinance of baptism. When a believer gets baptized, they are walking in obedience to Christ and allowing the Holy Spirit to sanctify them. The Holy Spirit is very much present and working in a person’s baptism. This shows not only the extreme importance that God places on baptism, but it also suggests that we are beginning to be more like Jesus as we participate in such a fundamental command that He has given to His people.
Baptism is a Declaration to the Church
With the previous meanings of baptism in mind, we can better appreciate our own baptism, as well as the baptism of others. In a public baptism, the person being baptized is declaring to the church all of the great truths we have previously discussed. They are declaring that they have new life in Christ, that they are part of the New Covenant, that they have repented of their sins, and that they are walking in sanctification. This makes the moments of baptism a powerful experience.
It is also worth celebrating the baptism of others within the church. It is a beautiful thing to witness and affirm those in the church receiving baptism. They are declaring to those present all of the previous truths of their baptism, and the congregation is privileged to join them in agreement and celebration. Though the declaration component of baptism is not the primary purpose of baptism, it becomes extremely significant in light of the other components and should not be overlooked.
Baptism Does Not Save a Person
There is one thing baptism does not accomplish that needs to be addressed. Baptism does not save a person. The doctrine that baptism saves is one that is affirmed by many Christian churches but denied by Ignite Church and many other churches also. To be more specific, we deny that baptism justifies a person and is the vessel through which a person is made righteous before God.
This is a matter that the church has debated since its foundation. Numerous churches have fallen on each side of the debate. There are two primary reasons as to why we deny that baptism justifies a person: 1. Salvation is taught to be by grace through faith alone. 2. Baptism logically and chronologically follows a faith response in Scripture.
We read in several places this idea that salvation is by God’s grace, and that salvation is through our faith. Ephesians 2:8-10:
For by grace you have been saved through faith; and this is not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.
Also, Romans 10:5-10 says:
For Moses writes of the righteousness that is based on the Law, that the person who performs them will live by them. But the righteousness based on faith speaks as follows: “Do not say in your heart, ‘Who will go up into heaven?’ (that is, to bring Christ down), or ‘Who will descend into the abyss?’ (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead).” But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart”—that is, the word of faith which we are preaching, that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation.
These passages make it clear that faith is the way a person receives salvation. God justifies a person by the grace that Jesus purchased on the cross, and that grace is extended to us through faith in Him. Water baptism is never mentioned in these passages because baptism does not justify someone. It is important to specify water baptism here because as discussed previously, to be saved is to be baptized into His death and resurrection. This is not the same as observing the ordinance of water baptism that represents that inward change that has already happened.
To further this point, Paul says in 1 Corinthians 1:11-17:
For I have been informed concerning you, my brothers and sisters, by Chloe’s people, that there are quarrels among you. Now I mean this, that each one of you is saying, “I am with Paul,” or “I am with Apollos,” or “I am with Cephas,” or “I am with Christ.” Has Christ been divided? Paul was not crucified for you, was he? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul? I am thankful that I baptized none of you except Crispus and Gaius, so that no one would say you were baptized in my name! But I did baptize the household of Stephanas also; beyond that, I do not know if I baptized anyone else. For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not with cleverness of speech, so that the cross of Christ would not be made of no effect.
Paul says he is glad he did not baptize most people because Christ did not send him to baptize, rather He sent him to preach the Gospel. He is distinguishing the Gospel from water baptism. They are not the same thing, and his main concern clearly was not the ordinance, it was preaching the Gospel for people to be saved.
The second reason Ignite Church denies salvation through baptism is because we always see individuals believing in faith and then being baptized after the fact. There are several notable examples, but we will consider two of them. The first is Acts 16:14-15:
A woman named Lydia was listening; she was a seller of purple fabrics from the city of Thyatira, and a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to respond to the things spoken by Paul. Now when she and her household had been baptized, she urged us, saying, “If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house and stay.” And she prevailed upon us.
Lydia responded to the Gospel that had been preached to her, and then she and her family were baptized. This demonstrates that the response of faith had already been made prior to her baptism, even though the baptism took place immediately afterward. The second passage is in the same chapter. Acts 16:29-34 says:
And the jailer asked for lights and rushed in, and trembling with fear, he fell down before Paul and Silas; and after he brought them out, he said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” They said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.” And they spoke the word of God to him together with all who were in his house. And he took them that very hour of the night and washed their wounds, and immediately he was baptized, he and all his household. And he brought them into his house and set food before them, and was overjoyed, since he had become a believer in God together with his whole household.
This scenario is about a jailer who asked Paul and Silas what he must do to be saved. They told him to believe and that he and his household would be saved. After this happened, he and his household were baptized. We again see the logical order of believing in Christ through faith being the method of salvation, and then baptism taking place afterward in response to their salvation. For these reasons, Ignite Church does not teach that baptism produces salvation, rather that baptism follows salvation.
Who Should be Baptized?
Now that there is clarity as to what the ordinance of baptism means, we naturally need to identify for whom baptism is intended. Can just anyone receive baptism is they want it? Are we to place limitations on people due to their salvation status or their age? Ignite Church affirms that baptism is intended for believers only, and not for unbelievers or those too young to make a faith-based decision to repent.
Baptism is for Believers
The first and foremost concern is that baptism is only for believers in Christ. The reason for this conclusion is based on the previous points about the meaning of baptism. Baptism represents new life in Christ, but unbelievers do not have new life in Christ and are still dead in their sins and in need of God’s grace. Baptism represents the New Covenant, which is something only believers can be identified by. It represents repentance, but how can a person declare they have repented when they have not actually repented? Baptism is part of sanctification, something that is not only for believers, but for believers who are now actively seeking to become more like Christ. Finally, baptism is a declaration to the church. As mentioned previously, this final point rests on the truths of the previous points, and if they are stripped away, there is nothing to declare. These all, along with their Scriptural support, demonstrate that baptism is indeed intended for justified believers in Christ only.
It also means water baptism is not optional for believers. As previously discussed, baptism does not save a person. This does not mean it is an option for a genuine believer. If someone who has experienced the reality of all that baptism represents, yet refuses to receive the ordinance of baptism, something is spiritually wrong. Baptism has been directly commanded by Jesus and the apostles, which makes refusal to receive baptism disobedience to God. Any believer wanting to please his Lord and Savior should naturally want to walk in obedience. This suggestion is not intended to condemn in any way, rather it is to provoke self-examination and reconsideration (2 Cor. 13:5).
Baptism is not for Young Children
Following from the fact that baptism is for believers only, we maintain that baptism is not intended for young children. We are defining young children as those who are unable to make a genuine profession of faith in Christ due to lack of mental maturity. This does not mean a particular age is the standard for all children. There are children who recognize their sin and their need for Christ as their Savior at a much younger age than others. There is no one age sufficient to determine if a child should be baptized. A conversation needs to be had with a young child to determine if they have at least a basic understanding of their salvation.
When it comes to infants and young children who have not made a genuine profession of faith, we run into the same difficulties as with an unbeliever. Young children have not received new life, entered into the New Covenant, repented, or begun the process of sanctification. We are not saying that God is not in any sense covering the child with His grace. We are simply saying that if a child has not truly and intentionally trusted in Christ yet, then the reality and meaning of baptism does not yet apply to them. Baptism is for those who have a personal faith in Jesus Christ as their Savior.
What is the Proper Method of Baptism?
The true meaning and recipients of baptism are the two most important facets of the ordinance. We very much need to get those questions right if we are to say we understand baptism. However, the question of the proper method (or mode) of baptism also matters. Though it is not as essential to our understanding as the other questions, it will be helpful to consider it. Ignite Church practices water baptism by immersion in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
There has been debate as to whether baptism is to be performed in the name of the Trinity (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit), or if it is sufficient to baptize in the name of Jesus alone. We have previously examined the Great Commission in Matthew 28, in which Christ’s command was to baptize in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. This passage is the primary source of the Trinitarian formula that we use. However, there are a few passages in Acts that mention baptism in the name of Jesus. In Acts 10:47-48, Peter had been preaching to Gentiles and seeing them be saved. After they received the Holy Spirit, Peter says:
Surely no one can refuse the water for these to be baptized, who have received the Holy Spirit just as we did, can he?” And he ordered them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to stay on for a few days.
Peter ordered them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. This is the same Peter who was present at the Great Commission when Jesus gave the Trinitarian formula. The simplest way to resolve this difference is that those present were actually baptized in the name of the Trinity, and that Peter uses “Jesus Christ” as a short-hand reference. To be baptized in the name of the Father, Son, and Spirit is to be baptized into Christ. When Peter says this, he’s referencing the fact that Jesus is the source of their salvation. That does not mean he changed the formula he was given by the Lord. Additionally, Jesus gave a direct command to baptize in the name of all three persons of the Trinity, while the passage in Acts simply describes an event that happened and may not have included every detail of the event. Since Ignite Church affirms the full divinity of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, we believe baptism is best practiced with the Trinitarian formula.
There is one other question to ask, and that is about immersion vs. sprinkling or pouring water. There are many churches that currently practice christening rather than full immersion. Ignite Church practices baptism by immersion because we believe the regular biblical practice is immersion. However, we see no direct command with regards to the method. One of the best examples we have is when Jesus receives His baptism in Mark 1:9-10. Mark says:
In those days Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. And immediately coming up out of the water, He saw the heavens opening, and the Spirit, like a dove, descending upon Him; and a voice came from the heavens: “You are My beloved Son; in You I am well pleased.”
When Jesus is baptized, He comes up out of the water. The strong implication is that He went down into the water and back up out of it. The interesting thing is that we are never directly commanded to baptize in a particular way, we simply have examples like this that suggest the practice was immersion. Since this seems to be the biblical model, we believe it is the best practice.
A note of clarification is needed with regard to the methodology of baptism. Ignite Church would not declare a person to be illegitimately baptized if he or she was baptized “in the name of Jesus” or by christening. We would acknowledge the legitimacy of such a baptism provided the recipient has professed Christ as their Lord and Savior. Methodology is about striving for the best and most biblical practice. We want to be as proper as we can be, and the Trinitarian formula and full immersion is what we consider to be the most proper.
What’s Next After Baptism?
The final thing we need to consider with regards to baptism is what comes after we are baptized. We know that we are not saved by our works, we are saved by faith. But do we get saved, get baptized, and then continue to live the same way we always did? This way of living is simply unacceptable for Christians. As we have already seen, baptism is only the beginning of sanctification, not the end. We are called to be conformed to Christ by living for Him. That means that baptism is only the beginning of our walk with Jesus. There are several things in our lives that need to change for us to live in a way that God has called us to live.
We need to frequently and consistently pray and read Scripture. God has changed us so that we can have a relationship with Him. We must seek Him directly through prayer and through the reading and studying of His Word. He has given us both as incredible gifts, but we must commit ourselves to them if we want to grow. These are the most foundational steps, but there are many other things that are extremely important in the life of a baptized believer.
We also need to attend a sound, Bible-believing church so that we can be discipled and be part of Christ’s community. The church is the body of Christ, the very body that we are being baptized before, so we must be united with them in worship and fellowship. Then from there, we can take part in many other opportunities, such as joining a small group to grow with fellow believers, serving to make a difference in the lives of those inside and outside of the church, and sharing the Gospel so others can hear this good news that we have received and become disciples themselves. All of these are solid steps that can and should be taken after baptism so that we truly grow as Christians and glorify God with our lives.
Baptism is a joyful celebration of the rich truths of salvation in a believer’s life, which is why we emphasize and celebrate it so much. At Ignite Church, we hope all who have made a profession of faith in Christ will take the step and receive the ordinance of baptism, which our Lord commanded.
Baptism is one of those subjects in the Bible we hear mentioned a lot and that we witness frequently throughout the year, yet most of us have not considered all that baptism truly means. When we come together to celebrate our own baptism or that of our family members or friends, what exactly are we celebrating?
At Ignite Church we want everyone who takes the step of faith to receive baptism to have a better understanding of the significance of what they are doing. We hope to bring clarity to the different aspects of baptism that are not always well understood, as well as give all the more reason to celebrate the occasion of baptism as being a wonderful ordinance given to us by God.
We will ask and answer four different questions related to baptism: What does baptism mean? Who should be baptized? What is the proper method of baptism? What’s next after baptism? These questions will provide the necessary clarity to have a well-informed, biblical perspective on baptism.
What Does Baptism Mean?
Baptism is an ordinance given and instituted by Jesus in Scripture. An ordinance is simply something that God has commanded us to observe. The clearest example we see in the Bible is Matthew 28:19-20:
Go, therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to follow all that I commanded you; and behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age. (NASB)
When Jesus gives this command to His disciples to go and make disciples and baptize them, He was ordaining baptism as something to be practiced by all members within the church. In fact, Jesus was tying it directly to being a disciple. Disciples are to be made in all nations and they are to be baptized in the name of the Triune God.
If baptism is an ordinance given by God and is intended for disciples, what exactly does baptism mean? What is the significance of baptism and what is being accomplished? At Ignite Church, we maintain that baptism represents new life in Christ, entrance into the New Covenant, repentance, and that it is part of sanctification, and a declaration to the church of these truths. We also maintain that baptism does not save a person. We will consider each of these points in order.
Baptism Represents New Life in Christ
First and foremost, the ordinance of baptism represents the fact that we who were dead in our sins now have new life in Christ. Romans 6:3-4 says:
Or do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus have been baptized into His death? Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too may walk in newness of life.
When we are baptized, we are not simply praying and getting wet. We are being baptized into Christ Jesus’ death. The death that He experienced on the cross forgives us of our sinfulness provided we repent and trust in Him through faith (see Eph. 2:8-10 and Rom. 10:5-10). When we are baptized, the act of going under the water and coming back out of the water represents the fact that we have been baptized into the death Jesus physically experienced. The old person is gone, as represented in the going down into the water. The new person is coming to life, as represented in the coming back out of the water. Paul even says we have been buried with Jesus through baptism. As Christ was buried and raised from the dead, so we have been buried and raised to new life in Him.
Along with that, we should recognize that we have been cleansed by Christ in our baptism. The new life is the result of being washed clean by the blood of Christ. The waters of baptism represent cleansing and purity. We were filthy and stained while in our sins, but after repentance and newness in Christ, we are washed clean from the filth and stains.
Baptism Represents the New Covenant
A significant portion of the Bible is concerned with the various covenants that God has made with His people. A covenant is an agreement made between two or more parties that contains commitments and promises from the parties involved. God establishes covenants with Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, David, and with Christ and the church. These people are the covenant representatives, but each of these covenants also involve a group of people, such as Israel or all of humanity. Each covenant guides the work that God does in and through people throughout both the Old and New Testaments. The specific covenant that Christians are under is the New Covenant, which is made with Christ and His church. This covenant is established by the blood of Jesus and promises the total forgiveness of sins to all who are united to Christ by grace through faith (see Matt. 26:26-28 and Jer. 31:31-34).
Often, we see a physical sign that accompanies a covenant that God makes with His people that is intended to represent the reality of what it means to be found within the established covenant. Circumcision was the sign that was given to Abraham at the establishment of the covenant God made with him to establish the nation of Israel (see Gen. 17:9-14). Receiving the sign of circumcision was an indication that a Jew was part of the Covenant and the nation of Israel. This is relevant in the New Testament as well with baptism in the New Covenant. Ignite Church believes that Baptism is a sign of the New Covenant made with Christ and His people as an outward indication that those who receive the sign belong to Christ and are part of His covenant. Colossians 2:11-12 states:
In Him you were also circumcised with a circumcision performed without hands, in the removal of the body of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ, having been buried with Him in baptism, in which you were also raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead.
In this passage Paul is speaking of a spiritual circumcision rather than the physical act of circumcision as was necessary in the Old Testament. Even the physical sign was intended to point to the inward change of heart as can been seen in Jeremiah 4:1-4. This is indicated by the phrase “a circumcision performed without hands.” God has circumcised the hearts of believers and removed the flesh that was bound by sin. Paul continues by drawing a correlation of circumcision to baptism. Those who are circumcised by this spiritual circumcision, rather than by the physical act of circumcision are baptized into Christ. Both are referencing the spiritual nature of what Christ has done.
The significance to consider here is that circumcision was a major topic of debate in the early church. Acts 15 is about the Council of Jerusalem coming together to determine whether Gentiles should be required to receive the physical sign of circumcision. After much debate, the apostles recognized that circumcision was not necessary for the Gentiles. Yet, we see baptism as expected throughout the New Testament for all believers. In Matthew 28, when Jesus commissions His disciples He commands them to make disciples and baptize them. From that point forward, the common pattern is for people to be saved and then baptized immediately (see Acts 2:41, Acts 8:12, and Acts 10:48).
Circumcision was intended to represent the covenant with Abraham, and it identified God’s people in the Old Testament. In a similar, yet distinct way, baptism is intended to represent the New Covenant, and it identifies God’s people in the New Testament. Though the acts are different and neither guarantee the salvation of the individual receiving the ordinance, circumcision and baptism are both outwards signs to identify God’s people in their corresponding covenants.
Baptism Represents Repentance
Baptism very clearly represents repentance. So often in the Bible, baptism is spoken of in conjunction with repentance. A notable example is Acts 2:38:
Peter said to them, “Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Peter tells the crowd he has just addressed to repent and be baptized for the forgiveness of their sins. This should not be confused with the idea that the baptism did the saving; their faith-filled response to Christ’s death and resurrection is what gained them God’s grace. But in the act of salvation, believers are being buried and raised with Christ. Their baptism represented this very thing and was so significant that those who believed were baptized on the spot. They repented from their sins, and then they were baptized, representing the salvation they had just received.
Baptism is Part of the Sanctification of Believers
Baptism is one of the very first steps in our sanctification as believers. When we are first saved, we are justified by Christ’s blood. The guilt from our sins is washed away and God sees us as righteous before Him. After we are justified, the Holy Spirit begins to work in us His work of sanctification. We are to become more like Christ every day and walk in obedience. We do not receive justification and then remain the same as before, we must live for God and begin to act in accordance with our new identity. One of the first acts that begins our sanctification is baptism. We need to look again at the Great Commission in Matthew 28:19-20:
Go, therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to follow all that I commanded you; and behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.
Jesus commands His disciples to make disciples and baptize them. Then He says to teach these new disciples to follow all that He had commanded. First, they become disciples, then they get baptized, and finally they are to follow Jesus’ commands. This suggests that one of the foremost acts of obedience for a disciple of Christ is to receive the ordinance of baptism. When a believer gets baptized, they are walking in obedience to Christ and allowing the Holy Spirit to sanctify them. The Holy Spirit is very much present and working in a person’s baptism. This shows not only the extreme importance that God places on baptism, but it also suggests that we are beginning to be more like Jesus as we participate in such a fundamental command that He has given to His people.
Baptism is a Declaration to the Church
With the previous meanings of baptism in mind, we can better appreciate our own baptism, as well as the baptism of others. In a public baptism, the person being baptized is declaring to the church all of the great truths we have previously discussed. They are declaring that they have new life in Christ, that they are part of the New Covenant, that they have repented of their sins, and that they are walking in sanctification. This makes the moments of baptism a powerful experience.
It is also worth celebrating the baptism of others within the church. It is a beautiful thing to witness and affirm those in the church receiving baptism. They are declaring to those present all of the previous truths of their baptism, and the congregation is privileged to join them in agreement and celebration. Though the declaration component of baptism is not the primary purpose of baptism, it becomes extremely significant in light of the other components and should not be overlooked.
Baptism Does Not Save a Person
There is one thing baptism does not accomplish that needs to be addressed. Baptism does not save a person. The doctrine that baptism saves is one that is affirmed by many Christian churches but denied by Ignite Church and many other churches also. To be more specific, we deny that baptism justifies a person and is the vessel through which a person is made righteous before God.
This is a matter that the church has debated since its foundation. Numerous churches have fallen on each side of the debate. There are two primary reasons as to why we deny that baptism justifies a person: 1. Salvation is taught to be by grace through faith alone. 2. Baptism logically and chronologically follows a faith response in Scripture.
We read in several places this idea that salvation is by God’s grace, and that salvation is through our faith. Ephesians 2:8-10:
For by grace you have been saved through faith; and this is not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.
Also, Romans 10:5-10 says:
For Moses writes of the righteousness that is based on the Law, that the person who performs them will live by them. But the righteousness based on faith speaks as follows: “Do not say in your heart, ‘Who will go up into heaven?’ (that is, to bring Christ down), or ‘Who will descend into the abyss?’ (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead).” But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart”—that is, the word of faith which we are preaching, that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation.
These passages make it clear that faith is the way a person receives salvation. God justifies a person by the grace that Jesus purchased on the cross, and that grace is extended to us through faith in Him. Water baptism is never mentioned in these passages because baptism does not justify someone. It is important to specify water baptism here because as discussed previously, to be saved is to be baptized into His death and resurrection. This is not the same as observing the ordinance of water baptism that represents that inward change that has already happened.
To further this point, Paul says in 1 Corinthians 1:11-17:
For I have been informed concerning you, my brothers and sisters, by Chloe’s people, that there are quarrels among you. Now I mean this, that each one of you is saying, “I am with Paul,” or “I am with Apollos,” or “I am with Cephas,” or “I am with Christ.” Has Christ been divided? Paul was not crucified for you, was he? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul? I am thankful that I baptized none of you except Crispus and Gaius, so that no one would say you were baptized in my name! But I did baptize the household of Stephanas also; beyond that, I do not know if I baptized anyone else. For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not with cleverness of speech, so that the cross of Christ would not be made of no effect.
Paul says he is glad he did not baptize most people because Christ did not send him to baptize, rather He sent him to preach the Gospel. He is distinguishing the Gospel from water baptism. They are not the same thing, and his main concern clearly was not the ordinance, it was preaching the Gospel for people to be saved.
The second reason Ignite Church denies salvation through baptism is because we always see individuals believing in faith and then being baptized after the fact. There are several notable examples, but we will consider two of them. The first is Acts 16:14-15:
A woman named Lydia was listening; she was a seller of purple fabrics from the city of Thyatira, and a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to respond to the things spoken by Paul. Now when she and her household had been baptized, she urged us, saying, “If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house and stay.” And she prevailed upon us.
Lydia responded to the Gospel that had been preached to her, and then she and her family were baptized. This demonstrates that the response of faith had already been made prior to her baptism, even though the baptism took place immediately afterward. The second passage is in the same chapter. Acts 16:29-34 says:
And the jailer asked for lights and rushed in, and trembling with fear, he fell down before Paul and Silas; and after he brought them out, he said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” They said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.” And they spoke the word of God to him together with all who were in his house. And he took them that very hour of the night and washed their wounds, and immediately he was baptized, he and all his household. And he brought them into his house and set food before them, and was overjoyed, since he had become a believer in God together with his whole household.
This scenario is about a jailer who asked Paul and Silas what he must do to be saved. They told him to believe and that he and his household would be saved. After this happened, he and his household were baptized. We again see the logical order of believing in Christ through faith being the method of salvation, and then baptism taking place afterward in response to their salvation. For these reasons, Ignite Church does not teach that baptism produces salvation, rather that baptism follows salvation.
Who Should be Baptized?
Now that there is clarity as to what the ordinance of baptism means, we naturally need to identify for whom baptism is intended. Can just anyone receive baptism is they want it? Are we to place limitations on people due to their salvation status or their age? Ignite Church affirms that baptism is intended for believers only, and not for unbelievers or those too young to make a faith-based decision to repent.
Baptism is for Believers
The first and foremost concern is that baptism is only for believers in Christ. The reason for this conclusion is based on the previous points about the meaning of baptism. Baptism represents new life in Christ, but unbelievers do not have new life in Christ and are still dead in their sins and in need of God’s grace. Baptism represents the New Covenant, which is something only believers can be identified by. It represents repentance, but how can a person declare they have repented when they have not actually repented? Baptism is part of sanctification, something that is not only for believers, but for believers who are now actively seeking to become more like Christ. Finally, baptism is a declaration to the church. As mentioned previously, this final point rests on the truths of the previous points, and if they are stripped away, there is nothing to declare. These all, along with their Scriptural support, demonstrate that baptism is indeed intended for justified believers in Christ only.
It also means water baptism is not optional for believers. As previously discussed, baptism does not save a person. This does not mean it is an option for a genuine believer. If someone who has experienced the reality of all that baptism represents, yet refuses to receive the ordinance of baptism, something is spiritually wrong. Baptism has been directly commanded by Jesus and the apostles, which makes refusal to receive baptism disobedience to God. Any believer wanting to please his Lord and Savior should naturally want to walk in obedience. This suggestion is not intended to condemn in any way, rather it is to provoke self-examination and reconsideration (2 Cor. 13:5).
Baptism is not for Young Children
Following from the fact that baptism is for believers only, we maintain that baptism is not intended for young children. We are defining young children as those who are unable to make a genuine profession of faith in Christ due to lack of mental maturity. This does not mean a particular age is the standard for all children. There are children who recognize their sin and their need for Christ as their Savior at a much younger age than others. There is no one age sufficient to determine if a child should be baptized. A conversation needs to be had with a young child to determine if they have at least a basic understanding of their salvation.
When it comes to infants and young children who have not made a genuine profession of faith, we run into the same difficulties as with an unbeliever. Young children have not received new life, entered into the New Covenant, repented, or begun the process of sanctification. We are not saying that God is not in any sense covering the child with His grace. We are simply saying that if a child has not truly and intentionally trusted in Christ yet, then the reality and meaning of baptism does not yet apply to them. Baptism is for those who have a personal faith in Jesus Christ as their Savior.
What is the Proper Method of Baptism?
The true meaning and recipients of baptism are the two most important facets of the ordinance. We very much need to get those questions right if we are to say we understand baptism. However, the question of the proper method (or mode) of baptism also matters. Though it is not as essential to our understanding as the other questions, it will be helpful to consider it. Ignite Church practices water baptism by immersion in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
There has been debate as to whether baptism is to be performed in the name of the Trinity (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit), or if it is sufficient to baptize in the name of Jesus alone. We have previously examined the Great Commission in Matthew 28, in which Christ’s command was to baptize in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. This passage is the primary source of the Trinitarian formula that we use. However, there are a few passages in Acts that mention baptism in the name of Jesus. In Acts 10:47-48, Peter had been preaching to Gentiles and seeing them be saved. After they received the Holy Spirit, Peter says:
Surely no one can refuse the water for these to be baptized, who have received the Holy Spirit just as we did, can he?” And he ordered them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to stay on for a few days.
Peter ordered them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. This is the same Peter who was present at the Great Commission when Jesus gave the Trinitarian formula. The simplest way to resolve this difference is that those present were actually baptized in the name of the Trinity, and that Peter uses “Jesus Christ” as a short-hand reference. To be baptized in the name of the Father, Son, and Spirit is to be baptized into Christ. When Peter says this, he’s referencing the fact that Jesus is the source of their salvation. That does not mean he changed the formula he was given by the Lord. Additionally, Jesus gave a direct command to baptize in the name of all three persons of the Trinity, while the passage in Acts simply describes an event that happened and may not have included every detail of the event. Since Ignite Church affirms the full divinity of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, we believe baptism is best practiced with the Trinitarian formula.
There is one other question to ask, and that is about immersion vs. sprinkling or pouring water. There are many churches that currently practice christening rather than full immersion. Ignite Church practices baptism by immersion because we believe the regular biblical practice is immersion. However, we see no direct command with regards to the method. One of the best examples we have is when Jesus receives His baptism in Mark 1:9-10. Mark says:
In those days Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. And immediately coming up out of the water, He saw the heavens opening, and the Spirit, like a dove, descending upon Him; and a voice came from the heavens: “You are My beloved Son; in You I am well pleased.”
When Jesus is baptized, He comes up out of the water. The strong implication is that He went down into the water and back up out of it. The interesting thing is that we are never directly commanded to baptize in a particular way, we simply have examples like this that suggest the practice was immersion. Since this seems to be the biblical model, we believe it is the best practice.
A note of clarification is needed with regard to the methodology of baptism. Ignite Church would not declare a person to be illegitimately baptized if he or she was baptized “in the name of Jesus” or by christening. We would acknowledge the legitimacy of such a baptism provided the recipient has professed Christ as their Lord and Savior. Methodology is about striving for the best and most biblical practice. We want to be as proper as we can be, and the Trinitarian formula and full immersion is what we consider to be the most proper.
What’s Next After Baptism?
The final thing we need to consider with regards to baptism is what comes after we are baptized. We know that we are not saved by our works, we are saved by faith. But do we get saved, get baptized, and then continue to live the same way we always did? This way of living is simply unacceptable for Christians. As we have already seen, baptism is only the beginning of sanctification, not the end. We are called to be conformed to Christ by living for Him. That means that baptism is only the beginning of our walk with Jesus. There are several things in our lives that need to change for us to live in a way that God has called us to live.
We need to frequently and consistently pray and read Scripture. God has changed us so that we can have a relationship with Him. We must seek Him directly through prayer and through the reading and studying of His Word. He has given us both as incredible gifts, but we must commit ourselves to them if we want to grow. These are the most foundational steps, but there are many other things that are extremely important in the life of a baptized believer.
We also need to attend a sound, Bible-believing church so that we can be discipled and be part of Christ’s community. The church is the body of Christ, the very body that we are being baptized before, so we must be united with them in worship and fellowship. Then from there, we can take part in many other opportunities, such as joining a small group to grow with fellow believers, serving to make a difference in the lives of those inside and outside of the church, and sharing the Gospel so others can hear this good news that we have received and become disciples themselves. All of these are solid steps that can and should be taken after baptism so that we truly grow as Christians and glorify God with our lives.
Baptism is a joyful celebration of the rich truths of salvation in a believer’s life, which is why we emphasize and celebrate it so much. At Ignite Church, we hope all who have made a profession of faith in Christ will take the step and receive the ordinance of baptism, which our Lord commanded.