What Is Baptism?
Baptism is one of the central practices of the Christian faith. It is not merely a ritual but a profound declaration of allegiance to Jesus Christ, a public act of identification with His death and resurrection, and a visible entry into the community of believers. In Scripture, baptism is connected with forgiveness of sins, incorporation into the body of Christ, and the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Yet baptism also has a deeper dimension often overlooked: it is an act of spiritual warfare. By baptism, believers renounce Satan and the powers of darkness and pledge themselves to Christ as Lord. This is why early baptismal liturgies often included explicit renunciations of Satan and affirmations of allegiance to Christ. Baptism, then, is not only about cleansing and new life but also about victory in the spiritual battle.
This article will explore what baptism is, why it matters, and how it functions as both a sign of the Gospel and a declaration of war against the kingdom of darkness.
1. Baptism as Identification with Christ
Romans 6:3–4 teaches that “all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death. We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead… we too might walk in newness of life.”
Baptism is therefore a symbolic act of dying and rising with Christ. By immersion in water, the believer is visibly buried with Christ and raised to new life in Him. This imagery is central to the practice of credobaptism (believer’s baptism), which emphasizes that baptism follows personal faith in Christ. Baptism is not the cause of salvation but the outward sign of an inward reality.
Through baptism, Christians declare that they belong to Christ, have died to sin, and now live by His Spirit. It is an enacted confession of the Gospel itself: Christ died, was buried, and rose again, and those who trust in Him share in that victory.
2. Baptism as Entry into the People of God
Baptism is not an isolated event but incorporation into the community of believers. In 1 Corinthians 12:13 Paul writes, “For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit.”
This shows that baptism is a sign of unity. Just as Israel passed through the Red Sea and became God’s covenant people, so the church passes through baptism as a people united in Christ. Baptism affirms that believers are no longer isolated individuals but members of the one body of Christ.
For credobaptists, this unity is grounded in personal confession of faith. Baptism marks a believer’s entry into the visible church, identifying them with the priesthood of all believers (1 Peter 2:9). It is not only a personal commitment but also a corporate recognition that the baptized now shares in the mission of God’s people.
3. Baptism as Cleansing and Renewal
Water imagery in the Bible often symbolizes cleansing. Acts 22:16 records Ananias saying to Paul, “Rise and be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on his name.” While the act of baptism itself does not accomplish forgiveness, it powerfully symbolizes the cleansing from sin that Christ brings.
Ezekiel 36:25–27 foreshadows this when God promises, “I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean from all your uncleannesses.” This cleansing is paired with the gift of the Spirit, pointing to the new covenant. Baptism, therefore, is a vivid sign that believers have been washed, sanctified, and justified in Christ (1 Corinthians 6:11).
For the believer, baptism strengthens faith by pointing back to God’s promises. When tempted or accused, one can remember baptism as a declaration that sin’s guilt and power have been washed away through Christ.
4. Baptism as Spiritual Warfare
One of the most striking but often neglected aspects of baptism is its role in spiritual warfare. Paul frames the Christian life as a struggle against rulers, authorities, and powers of darkness (Ephesians 6:12). Baptism is a decisive declaration of allegiance to Christ, rejecting the dominion of Satan.
In the early church, baptismal confessions often included renunciations of Satan and his works. This reflects the biblical reality that Christ has triumphed over the powers (Colossians 2:15). In baptism, believers publicly align themselves with the victorious Christ and remind the enemy that his defeat is certain.
By immersion, the believer enacts participation in Christ’s death and resurrection, declaring to the spiritual realm that death no longer holds power. Baptism thus functions not only as a witness to the church but as a proclamation to the unseen world: Christ reigns, and those baptized belong to Him.
5. The Mode and Recipients of Baptism
Christians throughout history have debated the mode and recipients of baptism. While some practice infant baptism, credobaptists emphasize baptism upon profession of faith. Credobaptism by immersion most fully displays the biblical imagery of burial and resurrection with Christ.
Jesus Himself was baptized in the Jordan River, going down into the water and rising up (Mark 1:9–10). Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch also “went down into the water” and “came up out of the water” (Acts 8:38–39). Immersion captures the full picture of death, burial, and resurrection.
For credobaptists, baptism is reserved for those who personally believe the Gospel. It is a conscious act of obedience, an outward sign of an inward faith, and a public testimony of allegiance to Christ.
6. Baptism and the Gospel Mission
Baptism is not an end in itself but part of the mission of the Gospel. Jesus commanded His disciples in Matthew 28:19–20, “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”
Baptism is therefore central to disciple-making. It is a sign that the Gospel has taken root in the heart, that someone has renounced the old life, and that they now belong to Christ’s kingdom. It also points forward to the end, when the church will be presented to Christ as a bride without spot or wrinkle (Ephesians 5:27).
By baptizing new believers, the church not only testifies to God’s saving work but also confronts the spiritual powers, proclaiming that the nations belong to Christ. Baptism is both a sign of salvation and an act of spiritual warfare against the dominion of darkness.
Conclusion: The Lasting Significance of Baptism
Baptism is a sign of identification with Christ, incorporation into the people of God, cleansing from sin, and participation in spiritual warfare. By immersion, believers declare their union with Christ’s death and resurrection, renounce Satan, and embrace life in the Spirit.
The full meaning of baptism lies in the Gospel itself. It points back to the cross, where Christ conquered sin and death, and forward to the new creation, when the church will dwell with Him forever. For believers, baptism is both a once-for-all declaration and a lifelong reminder: they belong to Christ, and no power of darkness can change that reality.
Bible Verses about Baptism
Romans 6:3–4 – “We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death… so we too might walk in newness of life.”
Matthew 28:19 – “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them…”
Acts 2:38 – “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins.”
Acts 8:38–39 – “They both went down into the water… and he baptized him.”
Acts 22:16 – “Rise and be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on his name.”
Galatians 3:27 – “As many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.”
1 Corinthians 12:13 – “In one Spirit we were all baptized into one body.”
Colossians 2:12 – “Having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith.”
1 Peter 3:21 – “Baptism… now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a good conscience.”
Ephesians 5:26–27 – “That he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word.”
