Baptism as Worship

The Great Commission and Baptism

Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. — Matthew 28:19

Baptism is not an optional add-on to the Christian life — it is part of the Great Commission. Jesus commanded His disciples to baptise new believers as a core element of making disciples. Along with the Lord's Supper, baptism is one of the two ordinances (or sacraments) that Jesus gave the church.

What Baptism Symbolises

The word "baptism" comes from the Greek baptizō — to immerse, to dip, to plunge. Whatever the mode of baptism — immersion, pouring, or sprinkling (a question on which sincere Christians have long disagreed) — the symbolism is consistent: baptism represents dying and rising with Christ.

Paul explains this in Romans 6:3-4: being baptised into Christ Jesus means being baptised into His death, buried with Him, and raised with Him to walk in newness of life. The going under the water represents death to the old self; the coming up represents resurrection to new life in Christ.

Baptism is also a public declaration of the new covenant. Peter described it as "an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ." (1 Peter 3:21) — not the washing of the body but the sincere pledge of a new relationship with God.

Baptism as Worship

Baptism is a profoundly worshipful act — for the one being baptised and for the gathered community:

For the believer — it is the most public declaration one can make of their faith in Christ. It is the moment they say, in the most visible way possible, "I belong to Jesus." It is an act of obedience, humility, and public commitment.

For the church — witnessing a baptism is a vivid, embodied proclamation of the gospel. The congregation sees death and resurrection enacted before their eyes. They celebrate a new brother or sister. They are reminded of their own baptism and their own union with Christ.

Who Should Be Baptised?

This is one of the most historically debated questions in Christianity. The two main positions are:

Credobaptism (believer's baptism) — baptism is for those who have personally professed faith in Christ. This is the Baptist and broader evangelical position.

Paedobaptism (infant baptism) — infants of believing parents are baptised as a sign of the covenant. This is the Reformed, Anglican, and Catholic position.

This is a secondary issue on which sincere, Bible-believing Christians disagree. What both agree on is that baptism is a significant, Christ-commanded act of worship that belongs at the centre of church life.