The Meaning of Believer's Baptism

The Meaning of Believer's Baptism explains what is believer's baptism, believer's baptism by immersion, the symbolism of believer's baptism and the significance of baptism.

The Meaning of Believer's Baptism

The Meaning of Believer's Baptism

What is Believer's Baptism?

Believer's Baptism is best explained by the two words believe and be baptized.

In other words, baptism is for those who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ as the way, the truth and the life.

Belief always precedes baptism. This is evidenced in Jesusalem when Peter preached at Pentecost (Acts 2:38; Acts 2:41). When the gospel message came to Samaria, they believed and were baptized (Acts 8:12). When the message of salvation was proclaimed in Corinth, many believed and were baptized (Acts 18:8).

Salvation (belief in Jesus Christ or faith in Jesus Christ) must precede water baptism otherwise it has no significance.

Believer's Baptism By Immersion

There are different methods of baptism practiced today. However, Believer's Baptism is by immersion because of the basic meaning of the word baptize, the places that baptism occured in the New Testament and the symbolism of water baptism.

The basic meaning of the word baptize which comes from the Greek word baptizo means "to dip under" or "immerse".

Also, believer's baptism in the New Testament puts water baptism in places of plenty of water (Mark 1:8-9; John 3:23; Acts 8:38).

Furthermore, believer's baptism is an outward sign of an inward experience (See the diagram above).

The Symbolism of Believer's Baptism

When a person becomes a believer, the Holy Spirit places the believer in the body of Christ and unites the believer with Jesus' death, burial and resurrection (Romans 6:3-5).

Believer's Baptism by immersion symbolizes this union (See diagram above). When the believers goes down under the water, it symbolizes death to the old life of sin. When the believer comes up out of the water, it symbolizes resurrection to new life in Christ.

In other words, believer's baptism by immersion is an outward sign of an inward experience.

The Significance of Baptism

There are two reasons why a believer should consider water baptism.

First, Jesus commanded believer's baptism (Matthew 28:18-20).

Second, it demonstrates our love and obedience to the Lord Jesus Christ (1 John 5:3).

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