Teens and Christ
← The Church, Communion and Baptism

Lesson 2 of 5 · 8 min

Baptism

The sign of belonging — and why churches disagree about who should receive it.

What it signifies

Baptism pictures death and resurrection: going under as the old life ends, coming up into new life with Christ. It is also washing, and public identification — the moment a private belief becomes a declared allegiance.

Two positions, honestly stated

Credobaptists (Baptists, Anabaptists, most non-denominational churches) baptise only those who can profess faith, usually by immersion, because every clear New Testament example follows belief.

Paedobaptists (Catholic, Orthodox, Lutheran, Anglican, Reformed, Methodist) also baptise the infants of believing families, seeing baptism as the new covenant counterpart to circumcision — a sign of God's promise that the child grows up to own.

What both agree on

Baptism was commanded by Jesus, is done in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, marks entry into the visible church, and is not to be repeated. No mainstream tradition thinks the water saves apart from faith and grace.

Key passages

  • 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

  • We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death.

    Romans 6:4

  • Repent and be baptized every one of you... For the promise is for you and for your children.

    Acts 2:38-39

Reflect

Have you been baptised? If not, what is holding you back — and who could you talk to about it?

Sign in to save private reflections and track your progress.

Next: Communion: Four Ways Christians Understand It

Where this came from

We're not experts — these are the sources we used while researching this page. Read them yourself, keep digging, and hold us to them.

  1. [1]The Holy Bible — Blue Letter Bible interlinear and lexicons

    Primary source for every lesson; Strong's and BDB/Thayer entries for word studies.

  2. [2]The Nicene-Constantinopolitan Creed (381) — full text and history, Britannica

    The doctrinal frame for the lessons on God, Christ and the Spirit.

  3. [3]N. T. Wright, lectures and articles archive (NTWrightPage)

    New Testament scholarship drawn on for the gospel, kingdom and resurrection lessons.

  4. [4]Catechism of the Catholic Church (Vatican) and the Westminster Confession of Faith

    Consulted side by side wherever a lesson describes how different traditions teach a doctrine.