What is baptism? Do I need to be baptized?
Step 3
If you’ve trusted Jesus Christ as your Savior, the next step is clear:
You should get baptized.
Baptism is not optional for a growing Christian—it is the first step of obedience after salvation. But there is a lot of confusion about baptism. So, instead of opinions or traditions, what does the Bible actually teach concerning baptism?
What is Baptism?
Baptism is a public act of obedience where a believer is immersed in water to identify with Jesus Christ. There is nothing special about the water or the physical act itself. What makes baptism special is what it represents for someone who is saved.
If you aren't 100% sure that you are saved, start with Step 1: How to go to Heaven.
Baptism is a picture of the gospel
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.”
When someone is baptized:
Standing = The life of Jesus
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Their body and the water make a cross
Going down = The death of Jesus
Going under the water = The burial of Jesus
Coming out of the water = The resurrection of Jesus
It is a visual picture of what Jesus did for us.
Baptism is your testimony
Galatians 3:27 - "For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ."
Baptism is an outward expression of an inward faith. It publicly shows other that you now belong in Christ. Before salvation, we openly identified with the world with the things we did and the places we went. Salvation is a fresh start... a new beginning. Baptism lets other believers know that you are choosing to identify with Christ from now on.
Baptism is an act of obedience
Matthew 28:19 - "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:"
This verse is part of what's known as the Great Commission. Before Jesus ascended into heaven, these are the instructions that he gave his disciples.
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Go (around the world)
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Teach all nations (spread the gospel)
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Baptize (those who believe)
After someone gets saved, the next step is to be baptized in a good church. If you want to know what a good church is, go back and read Step 2: Find a Biblical Church.
Baptism is required for church membership
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."
Notice the order of events:
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They recieved his word (salvation)
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Then they were baptized (identified with Jesus)
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Then they were added unto them (the church)
What Baptism is Not...
❌ Baptism Does NOT Save You
Salvation comes by faith in Jesus Christ—not by water. There is zero biblical evidence for baptism being required for salvation. In fact, the Bible takes a strong stance against it.
Ephesians 2:8–9 - “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.”
According to these verses, we are...
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We are saved by grace
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Grace = the unmerited favor of God
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We are saved through faith
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Faith = Believing in something that can't be seen
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We are not saved because of ourselves
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It has nothing to do with what we can do
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It has everything to do with what He has already done
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Salvation is a gift
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God offers to salvation to all mankind
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Regardless of race, class, or social status
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Salvation is not of works
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Baptism, church attendance, being a good person, etc. have nothing to do with salvation
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Lest any man should boast
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If works were involved, we would brag about our role in our salvation
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We have nothing to brag about
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If baptism was required for salvation, it would be a work—and the Bible clearly says salvation is not by works.
❌ Baptism Does NOT Wash Away Sin
Colossians 1:14 - “In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:”
Hebrews 9:22 - "And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission."
Only the blood of Jesus Christ can remove sin. Water has no power... there is power in the blood. If baptism was required for salvation and it was for the purpose of washing away sin, why did Jesus get baptized?
❌ Baptism Is NOT for Babies or Unbelievers
Acts 8:36-37 - “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.”
A consistent theme all throughout the New Testament is that baptism always follows belief. A person must first believe first, then be baptized. You will never find it happening in the reverse order.
If baptism always follows belief, then...
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Unbelievers shouldn't be baptized
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Baptism represents an inward change
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This doesn't exist within an unbeliever
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Babies shouldn't be baptized
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A baby can't believe
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A baby isn't aware of what is taken place
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❌ Baptism Is NOT Sprinkling or Pouring
Matthew 3:16 - “And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water.”
Biblical baptism is always by immersion. Immersion requires someone to go fully under the water. Remember, when someone goes under the water, this is symbolic of burial. When someone is buried, they are not sprinkled with dirt, nor do they have a small cup of dirt pour on them... they are immersed in the dirt.
You will never find a scriptural example of baptism where sprinkling or pouring was used instead of immersion. These false methods weren't seen until much later when the Catholic church wanted to start baptizing babies in order to help their church grow and spread Catholicism. It's unbiblical in every way.
How to be Baptized
When Should You Be Baptized?
The Bible shows that baptism should happen after salvation—and without unnecessary delay.
“And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized…” — Acts 22:16
You don’t need to wait:
Until you feel ready
Until you know everything
Until your life is perfect
If you are saved—you are ready.
You Should Be Biblically Baptized:
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By immersion (fully under water)
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After salvation
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As an act of obedience
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In identification with Jesus Christ
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By a proper authority
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Today, a good church is the only one with biblical authority to baptize believers
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If you don't have a good, biblical church, then you need one
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What If You Were Baptized Before You Were Saved?
Then it was not biblical baptism. Biblical baptism always follows salvation. If someone gets baptized before they are saved, then they didn't really get baptize. At best, they just got wet.
Your next step is simple:
If you have trusted Jesus Christ as your Savior and have not been baptized... This is your next step. Don't keep putting it off. Satan will eventually discourage you and cause you to change your mind. Once you are saved, you need to be baptized so that you can officially join a good church and enjoy all of God's blessings that come with it.
Are you looking for a weekly Christian blog to help you in a variety of simple, practical ways?
Check out the Bible Basics blog!
Once you have been baptized, it's time to learn about God's word. Check out Step 4: Understanding the Bible.
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