Repent and be baptised

The importance and significance of water baptism

In any study of Christian doctrine, the Word of God must remain our sole authority – no matter how it challenges our preconceived ideas. One such area is the mode and meaning of water baptism. The question has often been raised: sprinkling or immersion? Which is truly scriptural?

The New Testament uses the Greek word baptizo – meaning “to immerse, to sink” – a term even applied to ships going down beneath the waves. When the apostles wrote “baptizo”, they understood it to mean immersion, not sprinkling.

Baptism in apostolic times

History supports this. Baptism by immersion was the only mode practised for the first two centuries after Christ. Even thereafter, sprinkling remained rare. Dr Barlow, former Oxford professor and later Bishop of Lincoln, affirmed: “I do believe and know that there is neither precept nor example in Scripture for infant baptism, nor any just evidence for it above 200 years after Christ.” Church historian Mosheim noted: “The sacrament of baptism was administered in the first century by an immersion of the whole body in the baptismal font.” The change came much later.

Immersion in Scripture

Baptism is consistently portrayed in the Bible as a complete plunging beneath water. Jesus spoke of his suffering and death as a “baptism” (Luke 12:50), a total immersion in agony – “All your waves and breakers have swept over me,” (Jonah 2:3). The apostle Paul described baptism as burial: “Buried with him in baptism,” (Colossians 2:12). Burial covers the whole body – so too must baptism.

John the Baptist chose to minister “because there was plenty of water” at Aenon near Salim (John 3:23). The picture is clear: immersion, not sprinkling.

Who should be baptised?

The apostolic conditions are unambiguous. On the day of Pentecost, Peter commanded: “Repent and be baptised, every one of you,” (Acts 2:38). When the Ethiopian eunuch sought baptism, Philip replied: “If you believe with all your heart, you may,” (Acts 8:37). Repentance and personal faith must precede baptism – making infant baptism unscriptural.

A command, not an option

Some treat baptism as optional. Yet Peter’s words are a command, not a suggestion. Baptism is not a means of salvation – only the blood of Jesus cleanses from sin (1 John 1:7) – but it is a mark of obedience. True discipleship leads us through the waters.

Christ, our example

Jesus himself was baptised by John in the Jordan. When John hesitated, Jesus answered: “Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfil all righteousness,” (Matthew 3:15). He had no sins to wash away, yet he submitted to baptism “leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps,” (1 Peter 2:21).

At his baptism, heaven was opened, the Spirit descended, and the Father’s voice declared: “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased,” (Matthew 3:17). The same Spirit-empowering awaits the obedient believer.

The significance of baptism

Baptism is an outward declaration of an inward reality – a public testimony that the believer has turned from the old life. It mirrors Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection. Isaiah’s prophecy becomes personal: “He was pierced for our transgressions… and by his wounds we are healed,” (Isaiah 53:5).

Going down into the water symbolises death with Christ; being raised from the water signifies resurrection with him. As Paul wrote: “We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead… we too may live a new life,” (Romans 6:4). The same power that raised Jesus from the tomb enables the believer to walk in newness of life.

Baptism, then, is not an empty ritual. It is the believer’s declaration that “the old has gone, the new is here!” (2 Corinthians 5:17). It is the step where faith, obedience, and witness meet.

For those who have repented and believed, it remains as relevant and necessary as in the days of the apostles – a joyful burial and resurrection enacted in water, proclaiming to the world: “I belong to Jesus.”

This article first appeared in Direction Magazine. For further details, please click here.