“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…”
(Matthew 28:19)

Part One

It is universally understood that John the Baptist contrasted his own water baptism with the spiritual baptism that the Messiah would soon administer. John said, “I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me comes One who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.” (Matthew 3:11)

Water baptism did not cease when the Lord sent the Holy Spirit at Pentecost for the purpose of spiritually baptizing believers into the body of Christ. Notice Paul’s clear teaching on this subject. He wrote, “For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free—and we were all made to drink of one Spirit.” (1 Corinthians 12:13)

How does this work? What originally symbolized repentance during the era of John’s water baptism, later symbolized one’s faith in Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection. Said simply, the Lord’s life and example gave water baptism a new much deeper meaning. However, as before, it remained symbolic. Faith, rather than water, in every generation has saved believers. Scripture clearly teaches, “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God.” (Ephesians 2:8)

Part Two

The essential question is this. Which comes first – placing one’s faith in Christ or water baptism? The Scriptural answer is clear. One’s personal decision to receive Christ by faith – which produces the Holy Spirit’s baptism, should always precede water baptism. These two events can either be separated by – a few minutes, hours, days, or even years depending on the circumstances. With the Ethiopian Eunuch, it took only minutes, but with other believers like Simon and those who heard Phillip preach, it could easily have taken hours to find nearby water (see Acts 8:5-13).

The Holy Spirit’s baptism was clearly explained by Paul when he wrote to the church in Corinth. He said, “For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slaves or free—and we were all given one Spirit to drink.” (1 Corinthians 12:13)

Notice the two capital S’s in the verse above. This unquestionably means that it is the Holy Spirit’s baptism, rather than water baptism, that makes a believer part of Christ’s body. This explains why the Holy Spirit’s baptism comes first and is then followed by one’s public testimony of faith. Since the time of our Lord’s ascension, that has always been water baptism!

Part Three

There is an obvious reason why no infant baptisms are ever mentioned in the Scriptures. Why is this true? Because, not until several years after one’s birth, is repentance or choosing to believe in Christ possible. Therefore, water baptism at birth cannot be a believer’s true baptism. Clearly, confessing one’s faith in Christ is required for salvation in Romans 10:9-10, and that cannot relate to an infant.

Water baptism is a testimony about something that is self-chosen. Equally as important, one’s vital once in a lifetime salvation decision to “receive Christ” must logically precede their having a Christian testimony! Explained another way, no one can believe in Christ or receive Christ for, or on behalf of anyone else. This includes one’s loving Christian parents. The Bible therefore clearly speaks about our Savior’s grace saying, “…to all who did receive Him, who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God.” (John 1:12)

When, by faith, you personally make the decision to “receive Christ” as your Savior, you are immediately baptized by the Holy Spirit into His body! As previously explained, this is when you become a part of His eternal church. Following one’s spiritual rebirth, water baptism visibly testifies to that life-changing spiritual reality!  One’s “rebirth testimony” is important and the very reason why believers are publicly baptized. However, water baptism has always been a picture of what has already taken place and has never been required for salvation. This is evident from the Lord’s reassuring and unforgettable words to the thief on the cross who could not be baptized with water!