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Baptism is one of the two ordinances (or sacraments) that Jesus commanded His followers to observe. In Matthew 28:19, Jesus instructed His disciples to baptize new believers in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The New Testament presents baptism as a public declaration of faith, an identification with Christ's death and resurrection (Romans 6:3–4), and an initiation into the community of believers.
"Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit."
"Peter replied, '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.'"
"Or don't you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life."
"For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ."
"And this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also — not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a clear conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ."
This is one of the most debated questions in Christianity. Most Protestant traditions hold that baptism is an outward sign of inward grace — important and commanded, but not the instrument of salvation. Salvation is by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8–9). The thief on the cross was promised paradise without baptism (Luke 23:43). However, Acts 2:38 closely links repentance, baptism, and the gift of the Spirit.
Christians disagree. Paedobaptists (Presbyterians, Lutherans, Catholics) point to household baptisms in Acts and the parallel with Old Testament circumcision (Colossians 2:11–12). Credobaptists (Baptists, most evangelicals) argue that baptism in the New Testament always follows personal faith and repentance, and that only believers should be baptized.
Romans 6:3–4 uses burial and resurrection imagery that many scholars believe points to immersion as the most symbolically complete form. Most Baptist and evangelical traditions practice immersion for this reason. However, other forms (sprinkling, pouring) have been practiced throughout church history, and the New Testament does not specify the mode as the essential element.