Catechism Question 77
Understanding these things about water baptism, what is the best method for water baptism, and who should be water baptized?
Water baptism should be done by immersion, under the authority of the Trinity in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, and it should be administered only to those who have personally professed faith in Christ, not infants.
Focus and Purpose of this Question
This is the final question on water baptism. It asks us who should be water baptized and in what method, in light of everything we have already learned about the sacraments in general and water baptism specifically.
To review what we have learned so far: (1) sacraments are signs which link us to the spiritual realities they represent; (2) sacraments are signs of an already existent faith, must be received in faith, and strengthen that already existent faith; (3) water baptism is the sign and seal of our union with Christ and the cleansing He provides for sin; (4) water baptism is a means of grace to provide strength in our struggle against sin; (5) water baptism is the medium through which we testify of our faith in Christ and membership in the church. Knowing these things, it is apparent that water baptism is only effective for those who have personally professed faith. It is of no use to infants since they are not linked to Christ through faith, can not receive the sacrament in faith, have not yet had the old nature crucified and thus are not able to receive grace to overcome it, and they can not personally state a personal faith in Christ nor a desire to be part of the church. Therefore, water baptism can not be properly administered to infants.
Regarding the best method for water baptism, we believe that the apostolic practice was to baptize by immersion in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. The practice of immersion seems to be best fit what is being symbolized (union with Christ; being clothed fully with Christ; washing away of our sins; being buried and raised with Christ), and the meaning of the word itself. And it appears that the practice of the early church was to baptize in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ rather than the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit (see Acts 2:38; 8:16; 10:48; 19:5; 22:16). However, since some heretical groups have denied the Trinity, it is critical to note that this is in no way a denial of the Trinity. Water baptism, like everything else, is done under the authority of the Triune God. But the actual practice, while taking this situation into account, should still follow the biblical pattern and practice.
Additional Questions:
Who should be baptized? How should they be baptized? In whose name should they be baptized?
How should we actually practice water baptism, and with whom?
Scripture References:
John 3:23
Now John also was baptizing at Aenon near Salim, because there was plenty of water, and people were constantly coming to be baptized.
Mark 1:5, 10
The whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem went out to him. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River….10 As Jesus was coming up out of the water, he saw heaven being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove.
Acts 8:36–38
As they traveled along the road, they came to some water and the eunuch said, “Look, here is water. Why shouldn’t I be baptized?”… 38 And he gave orders to stop the chariot. Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and Philip baptized him.
Matthew 28:19
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
Acts 2:38–39
Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off — for all whom the Lord our God will call.”
Acts 8:16
The Holy Spirit had not yet come upon any of them; they had simply been baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus.
Acts 10:48
So he ordered that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ.
Acts 22:16
And now what are you waiting for? Get up, be baptized and wash your sins away, calling on his name.
Galatians 3:26–27
You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, 27 for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.
1 Peter 3:21
This water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also — not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a good conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Romans 4:9–12
Is this blessedness only for the circumcised, or also for the uncircumcised? We have been saying that Abraham’s faith was credited to him as righteousness. 10 Under what circumstances was it credited? Was it after he was circumcised, or before? It was not after, but before! 11 And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness that he had by faith while he was still uncircumcised. So then, he is the father of all who believe but have not been circumcised, in order that righteousness might be credited to them. 12 And he is also the father of the circumcised who not only are circumcised but who also walk in the footsteps of the faith that our father Abraham had before he was circumcised.
Questions for Further Discussion:
What is the best method of water baptism – sprinkling, pouring, or immersion? Which one seems to best symbolize the things being pictured in water baptism? How did the early church seem to practice water baptism?
In whose name did the early church baptize? Why?
If we baptize in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, does this mean we do not believe in the Trinity? Does it matter if we believe in the Trinity? How can we show that we believe in the Trinity when we do water baptisms?
Given the nature of sacraments (see questions 71 and 72), and the things being symbolized and received in water baptism, who should be water baptized? Can an infant or unbeliever actually receive any benefits from water baptism? Can an infant or unbeliever exercise the personal faith necessary to receive anything from the sacrament of water baptism?
What if someone said that the infant children of believers should be water baptized, because the parents have faith for the child, and the sign of water baptism is the sign of a future faith – how would you respond?
What if someone said that infants should be water baptized because they can not be saved unless they are water baptized – how would you respond?
Additional Information:
For additional information, see the teaching series “Water Baptism” taught during 2010, especially the teachings “Who Should Be Baptized” (April 25, 2010), “Baptism In the Name of the Lord” (May 2, 2010), and “Baptism – Immersed Into Christ” (May 9, 2010).
Suggested Worship Song:
By Faith (Keith and Kristyn Getty & Stuart Townend)
(This song reminds us that the people of God have always walked with God by faith, and that this is the only way to receive anything from our gracious God – and therefore only those who have already professed faith should be water baptized.)
By faith we see the hand of God
In the light of creation’s grand design
In the lives of those who prove His faithfulness
Who walk by faith and not by sight
By faith our fathers roamed the earth
With the power of His promise in their hearts
Of a holy city built by God’s own hand
A place where peace and justice reign
We will stand as children of the promise
We will fix our eyes on Him our soul’s reward
Till the race is finished and the work is done
We’ll walk by faith and not by sight
By faith the prophets saw a day
When the longed-for Messiah would appear
With the power to break the chains of sin and death
And rise triumphant from the grave
By faith the church was called to go
In the power of the Spirit to the lost
To deliver captives and to preach good news
In every corner of the earth
We will stand…
By faith this mountain shall be moved
And the power of the gospel shall prevail
For we know in Christ all things are possible
For all who call upon His name
We will stand…