Baptism is the washing with water. Of course, different denominations practice different modes of baptism. As a Baptist, we practice baptism by immersion. But whatever denomination one might belong to, baptism always involves water. It is a washing with water that represents the spiritual washing in Christ. The waters of baptism do not literally wash away sin; rather, they represent the spiritual cleansing that we have in Christ. We are washed in the name (singular) of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. This comes directly from the Great Commission in Matthew 28, where Jesus commands us to baptize disciples.

Baptism is a sign, pointing to something beyond itself. What then does it signify? The catechism highlights three things: 1) our adoption in Christ, 2) our cleansing from sin, and 3) our commitment to belong to the Lord and to His church.

First, baptism signifies and seals our adoption into Christ. When I take people through baptism classes (using the Apostles’ Creed, the Lord’s Prayer, and the Ten Commandments), I often tell them to think of baptism as their adoption ceremony. Baptism itself is not what adopts us into God’s family. We are adopted into the household of God whenever we believe in Christ and are filled with the Holy Spirit. Indeed, the Spirit is the true seal and guarantee of our salvation, not baptism.

But baptism is the ceremony the celebrates what God has done. Think of it like this: receiving the Holy Spirit is the legal moment of adoption, when the papers are signed and we officially become part of the family. Baptism, then, is the joyful celebration that follows, when the family gathers together to rejoice in what has happened.

Indeed, our baptism should also remind us of Jesus’ baptism, when the Father declared, “This is my Son, with whom I am well pleased.” Whenever we are baptized into the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, that family name is given to us. Because we are in Christ, we should spiritually hear those same words spoken over us: “You are my son. You are my daughter. With you I am well pleased.” Not because of our works, but because of Christ’s perfect obedience credited to us.

Second, baptism signifies our cleansing from sin. That is why baptism is a bath. The image is of being washed. Christ has cleansed us from our sins, washing us completely.

This is one of the reasons why Baptists practice baptism by immersion. It symbolizes that Christ has washed all of us, not just part of us. When we are in Christ, no sin remains uncleansed. We are fully clean in Him before the Father.

Third, baptism signifies our commitment to belong to the Lord and to His church. Baptism also has an outward, public component. It is the person’s declaration that they now belong to Christ and to His church.

Baptism is the initiation rite into Christ’s church. Of course, when we receive the Holy Spirit, we become part of the invisible, universal church, the worldwide body of Christ. But baptism is how we are grafted into the visible church, the local community of believers.

Thus, baptism is both personal and communal. It is a sign of what Christ has done in us and a public declaration that we belong to Him. So, whether you are preparing to be baptized or witnessing someone else’s baptism, meditate on these truths. Remember your own baptism often. Remember when the family name of God was spoken over you. Remember that baptism signifies your adoption into Christ, your cleansing from sin, and your commitment to Christ and His people.