Steps to Baptism
- Grace Smith
- Jan 31, 2024
- 4 min read
Updated: Feb 8, 2024
Water brings life to many things but can also be the downfall of others. Baptism is defined as “a religious rite or sacrament involving the immersion, pouring, or sprinkling of water, symbolizing purification, regeneration, or initiation into a faith community”(Logos). Although baptism presents itself as a seemingly simple act, those people who commit to a life of faith should view immersion as a necessary step for the forgiveness of sins and as a way to receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Meaning From Jesus
Jesus himself was baptized during his time on Earth, so the act of Baptism is something that should be important for all Christians. Jesus came to earth for many reasons and one of the more prominent reasons was to serve as an example for all Christians to emulate.
Jesus commanded his disciples to go and spread his words to all the nations he told them “Go and make disciples of all nations baptizing them in the name of the Father, and the Son, and of the Holy Spirit”(NIV, Matt. 28.19). Jesus wanted the disciples to instill Christianity in more people and inspire them to expand their faith. Jesus commanded the Disciples to lead people to the depth of faith where they would be ready for baptism.
The command did not intend for the Disciples to go out and create Christians who were lukewarm to the idea of proclaiming Jesus’s name, but rather Christians who would shout his name from rooftops and follow his commands.
Baptism is a step along the path of Christianity that proclaims the name of Jesus and makes a claim to a new life lived to follow the command from God the Father.
Traditions of Baptism
In a similar way to most traditions and concepts, baptism has gone through various changes and
adaptations, so every different church has its own opinion on the correct form of baptism. In most Christian churches, the chosen form of baptism is immersion underwater. This is the same form of baptism used in the New Testament times of the Bible. When being baptized by immersion the person Baptizing the believer asks if they believe in Christ as their savior and the Son of God. After the questions are asked the Believer is dunked under the water and brought up in their faith.
The act of baptism is a representation of new life coming in and the old life leaving. It can also be described in a way saying Going under the water is a representation of the old life being washed away (Kids on the Move). Baptism is often described as an initiation into a new life in Christ. By that definition, it seems like the form that best cleanses is immersion.
If something needs a washing or cleansing the best solution is not to sprinkle it with a drop of water or pour a bit of water on it, but rather to fully dunk it in water and ensure that it is no possibility it is not clean. Immersion as a form of baptism does exactly that and is the only form that is mentioned in the bible and done by Jesus.
Modern Baptism
Many Times church leaders have watered down baptism to something done on a whim or that it may look good for a Christian walk. The act of baptism is also very often viewed as something that looks great for Preachers. A high amount of Baptisms is viewed as the preachers leading people to Christ and the want for a new life through him. Spontaneous baptisms may answer the call for some people, but it is not what every person's baptism call will look like.
There is a time and a place for spontaneous baptism; however, it is very few and far between where that would happen. When baptized it shows an understanding of Christ's teachings and commands. Many churches baptize their infants and view it as a hedge of protection over their children. Baptism is a way to draw closer to God, but protection is not the reason for baptism.
Baptism is not a shallow subject, “Baptism symbolizes your death to the powers of this world and the new life we have in Jesus” (Duncalfe). Baptism is reminiscent of a funeral but in the sense of celebrating the old life dying to make way for a new better life that will come. It is a way to tell sin and Satan that they serve no part in their life anymore and that God is now the one who controls a way of life. Baptism also shows a level of maturity reached where there is an understanding of the commands of God and what they mean for life and future actions.
Baptism has so much meaning to it. Frequently, new believers struggle to truly understand the true meaning of baptism and its correlation to their Life. When considering baptism, believers should think about what it means from a biblical perspective and what it means to them. After contemplating its meaning, believers can decide to commit to Jesus and follow God's commands.
Author Bio
Grace is currently a freshman at Summit Christian College pursuing a degree in Biblical Studies with an Emphasis in Youth Ministry. Grace enjoys being creative in every form other than writing and watching science fiction movies and TV shows.
Works cited
Duncalfe, Philip. “The Good News of Baptism.”A Simple Blog, 18 January 2021,
The Holy Bible. The New International Version, Zondervan, 2011.
“What is Baptism?”YouTube, uploaded by Kids on the Move, 24 February 2016,
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