A Process Before Baptism?

Question: Is there a process one must complete before getting baptized?

Answer: The Bible teaches that prior to a person’s baptism, they must have

1. Heard and believed the gospel message of Jesus.

Baptism is done in response to a message, specifically the good news of Jesus. Unless that message is both heard and believed, baptism has no validity. This is also the reason why infants should not be baptized and there are no references to baptizing infants in scripture: They can neither understand nor express belief in the Gospel message.

• Romans 10:17 “So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ,"
• Acts 4:4 “But many of those who had heard the word believed, and the number of the men came to about five thousand.”

It is at this point when teaching occurs: When the gospel is being taught and a person expresses a desire to be baptized, it is important that they understand why they are being baptized, and for what purpose.

2. Repented of their sins

The message of Christ begins with the notion of repentance, or turning from one’s current ways/choices and continuing in a different direction.

• Matthew 4:17 “From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.””
• Acts 2:38 “And Peter said to them, “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.”
• Acts 17:30–31 “The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent, because he has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed; and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead.””

Baptism is for the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2.38, above), and we are called to cease living lives in which sin has a part.

3. Confessed Jesus as Lord

One who would be baptized must express their belief in the identity and authority of Christ.

• Romans 10:9–10 “because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.”
• Acts 8:36-37 “And as they were going along the road they came to some water, and the eunuch said, “See, here is water! What prevents me from being baptized?”” And Philip said, “If you believe with all your heart, you may.’ And he replied, ‘I believe that Jesus Christ is the son of God.’”

This is not a complicated process: One who would be baptized is typically asked just beforehand whether or not they believe that Jesus is the Christ, to which they will respond.

4. Once these things have been done, a person is baptized into Christ.

• Acts 18:8 “Crispus, the ruler of the synagogue, believed in the Lord, together with his entire household. And many of the Corinthians hearing Paul believed and were baptized.”
• Mark 16:16 “Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.”
• Acts 22:16 “And now why do you wait? Rise and be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on his name.’”

The Bible does not teach that a person must be approved by some ruling body, voted upon by the group, fill out an application, schedule a special service, or any such thing. These did not exist in the 1st century, and as such they should not exist now.

Baptism is simple, yet profound and utterly life-changing. It can be done in any amount of water large enough to fully immerse a person, at anytime of day, in any sort of building. The one who assists in the baptism can be anyone: Scripture does not dictate WHO must baptize.