Characteristics of a Believer’s Baptism
1. Baptism is one of the two primary ordinances of the local church. Ordinances are traditional, symbolic ceremonies for believers to perform as a means of worship in response to God’s grace.
2. Baptism was commanded by Jesus. As one of His final statements to His disciples, Jesus said to “Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit…” (Matthew 28:19).
Not only did Jesus institute the ceremony of baptism at the end of His life on earth, but He set the example by doing it Himself to start His ministry. (Matthew 3: 13-17; Mark 19).
3. Baptism does not save, but it is an important milestone for someone who has already been saved because it is their first step of obedience.
As a step of obedience, baptism demonstrates the seriousness of someone’s faith. It reveals that the person getting baptized is not ashamed of the gospel and what God has done in their life. This is an important aspect of baptism because believing the gospel is critical to someone’s salvation.
4. Baptism is not spiritually transformative, yet it is a visible symbol of what has already happened in someone’s heart. This ordinance is a public confession of faith. It is an outward, physical demonstration of an inward, spiritual decision.
A pubic baptism allows others to watch and hear you “confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord.” Full immersion displays the miraculous resurrection and rebirth that has taken place in someone’s spirit.
5. Baptism is not just for a certain group of people, it is an important act of unification for everyone born into the family of God. Scripture is clear that this symbol of salvation is for all people.
Paul told the Corinthian believers: “For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.” (1 Corinthians 12:13).
6. Baptism clearly symbolizes what Jesus did for humanity (1 Peter 3:18-21. Just as Jesus went “under” the earth after he was crucified and then came “up” or out of the tomb three day later, whenever someone goes under the baptismal waters and then reemerges, they are tangibly “preaching” Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection (the fundamentals of the gospel).
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. (Romans 6:4).