"We believe that Christian baptism is the immersion of a believer in water in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. It is an act of obedience symbolizing the believer’s faith in a crucified, buried, and risen Savior, the believer’s death to sin, the burial of the old life, and the resurrection to walk in newness of life in Christ Jesus."

— The Baptist Faith & Message

1. Baptism is Commanded.

• Baptism is a key in the great commission (Matthew 28:19).
• Baptism is part of following Jesus (Matthew 3:13‑17).
• The normal practice for someone who chooses to follow Christ is baptism (Acts 2:38; 22:16; 19:1‑6).

Action: Memorize and practice 1 Corinthians 11:1.

2. Baptism is symbolic, not saving.

• Baptism is symbolic of the Christ‑follower’s death to sin and resurrection to newness of life (Romans 6:4, Colossians 2:12).
• Baptism does not save a person (Ephesians 2:8‑9, Titus 3:5, 1 Corinthians 1:17).
• Baptism cannot take the place of the Gospel (Romans 3:23; 6:23; 5:8; 10:9; 8:1).

3. Baptism follows Salvation.

• Baptism in the book of Acts was reserved for those who believed in Jesus as their Savior (Acts 2:38‑41).
• There is no reason to believe that infants were baptized in Acts (Acts 16:33‑34).

4. Baptism is by immersion.

• The word baptize means to immerse (Mark 7:3‑4).
• The consistent practice in Scripture was for baptism to be by immersion (Matthew 3:16; John 3:23; Acts 8:36‑39).
• Baptism is symbolic and immersion fits the symbolism.

Action: Choose to be obedient in baptism and to encourage others to do the same.

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