Few biblical subjects are surrounded by more controversy and more misunderstanding than the subject of water baptism. Concerning this very subject, the apostle Paul writes, “Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death?” (Rom. 6:1-3, NKJV). What does the Bible say about being “baptized into Christ?” Please consider the teaching of the Scriptures in response to the following questions:
 
1. What is baptism? English terms such as “baptism” and “baptize,” which appear in the New Testament, have been translated from such Greek terms as baptisma and baptizo, which have reference to submersion or immersion (J.H. Thayer, Greek-English Lexicon, 94). Therefore, in order for one to be baptized into Christ he must be immersed in water just as the Ethiopian was (Acts 8:36-39). Even without the Greek definitions one can easily see that water baptism involves an immersion in water based on the fact that baptism is described as a burial in water. Paul writes, “Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life” (Rom. 6:4; cf. Col. 2:12). The act of sprinkling or pouring water on a person’s head is not truly baptism, scripturally speaking. One cannot truly be baptized into Christ without being immersed in water.

2. Who needs baptism? Following His resurrection, Jesus said to His apostles, “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (Matt. 28:19-20). Based on the Lord’s instruction, it should be obvious that those who desire to become His disciples must be baptized. Furthermore, Paul wrote to the Galatian Christians, saying, “For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ” (Gal. 3:26-27). In order for one to get “into” Christ and for one to “put on” Christ, one must be “baptized into Christ.” However, it should also be understood that the Bible teaches that baptism is for those who are capable of understanding and believing the gospel message (Mk. 16:16), and who are willing and able to repent of the sins they have committed (Acts 2:38). The act of baptizing infants is not truly baptism, scripturally speaking, since an infant cannot understand the message, cannot believe the message, and is incapable of repenting. One cannot truly be baptized into Christ without first believing the gospel and turning from his sins.

3. What is the purpose of baptism? Jesus said, “He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned” (Mk. 16:16). According to the Lord, sinners must both believe the gospel message and be baptized into Christ in order to receive salvation. This is the exact message the apostles preached beginning on the Day of Pentecost when Peter said, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:38). Baptism is the point at which a sinner has his sins washed away through the blood of Christ (22:16). For the penitent believer, baptism into Christ is a new birth (Jn. 3:3-5) and marks the beginning of a new life (Rom. 6:4). A baptism that is merely symbolic of a salvation experience that has supposedly already taken place is not truly baptism into Christ, scripturally speaking. One must be baptized for the remission of sins in order to be baptized into Christ.
 
Conclusion: “And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord” (Acts 22:16). Have you been baptized into Christ?

- Classic City Uniter, March 19, 2026