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The topic of baptism is one of great controversy in orthodox, conservative and often reformed circles of Christianity. Within the realm of orthodox Christianity there are those who believe that baptism is truly important but an optional part of Christianity. There are also those who believe that one’s faith is not confirmed until baptism and therefore baptism is a necessity to regeneration. Some believe that the candidate for baptism must be immersed fully into water and others believe that sprinkling or pouring is another option while others believe that sprinkling is the preferred mode for Christian baptism.

There are cults that are Christian imitations that believe the act of baptism is the means of salvation. Mormons believe this to the point that they practice baptism for the dead. They baptize one person in the place of a dead person so that the dead person will go to heaven. Roman Catholics believe that a baby is sealed until confirmation through their baptism and without baptism into the Catholic Church there is no salvation.

Lutherans and most Presbyterians believe in a similar but different way. Below is an example from a Lutheran document that shows their perspective on baptism. "About midnight, an earthquake shook the jail, opened the doors and broke open the chains that held these two disciples. The jailer, believing that Paul and Silas had escaped, tried to kill himself, sparing himself a worse fate that would be delivered by his superior. But Paul and Silas were there! He was so moved by their confidence and faith, and now by saving his life, he asked, 'what must I do to be saved'. They said, 'Repent, believe in the gospel and be baptized.'" Acts 16:32 says that he and his whole family were baptized that very night.

The whole family—that meant husband, wife, and children (this is not the only place where this occurs, simply one example). They were all baptized—it does say that they all believed. There is nowhere in the Bible that says only adults can be baptized, and nowhere does it say that babies can’t be baptized.

Some Christians believe that children are candidates for baptism at birth. Others believe that baptism is only for believers. The curious thing is that all these different views claim to be biblical in their understanding of baptism. How do we address that? Hopefully all these problems and others will be adequately addressed in this article.

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