Some churches practise sprinkling of babies and refer to it as baptism.  But is this correct?  Is there a correct form of baptism and is it for babies or children?

Sprinkling or immersion?

The Greek word translated baptise is baptizo which means to immerse or submerge.  Note that when Jesus was baptised he “came up” from the water.

Mat 3:16  When He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; …

And when Philip baptised the eunuch they both went into the water, indicating a large amount of water.

Act 8:38  So he commanded the chariot to stand still. And both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water, and he baptized him.

So, baptism is immersion.  The person being baptised is completely immersed in water for a short time.

What does baptism picture?

The apostle Paul explained in Romans that baptism pictures death, burial, and resurrection.

Rom 6:3  Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? 
Rom 6:4  Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. 
Rom 6:5  For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection,
Rom 6:6  knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin.

Paul repeated the explanation more succinctly in Colossians.

Col 2:12  buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead.

The momentary immersion in water pictures a watery grave.  The rising up from the water pictures the resurrection.  The immersion in water pictures Christ’s death and the death of our old man, that is our old sinful way of life.  The rising up from the water picture’s Christ resurrection and our walking in a new way of life (casting off the old sinful ways), and our future resurrection to eternal life.

Peter explains that Noah’s flood was a type of baptism and that baptism also pictures “the answer of a good conscience toward God”, in other words living a life that pleases God.

1 Pet 3:20  who formerly were disobedient, when once the Divine longsuffering waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight souls, were saved through water. 
1 Pet 3:21  There is also an antitype which now saves us; baptism (not the removal of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God), through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,

It’s interesting to note that the crossing of the Red Sea was also a type of baptism.

1 Cor 10:1  Moreover, brethren, I do not want you to be unaware that all our fathers were under the cloud, all passed through the sea, 
1 Cor 10:2  all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea,

What are the requirements for baptism?

Repentance is required. 

Acts 2:37  Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?” 
Acts 2:38  Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 

Clearly belief in Jesus Christ is a requirement too because baptism is performed in the name of Jesus Christ.  Babies and children are too young to understand repentance, so baptism is for adults only.  This is supported by the absence of accounts in the Bible of children being baptised.  The requirements for baptism are belief and repentance.

Why baptism?

According to the verse we have just read, the purpose of baptism is the forgiveness of sins.

Acts 2:38  Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 

When do we receive the Holy Spirit?

We receive the Holy Spirit after baptism and the laying on of hands.  For more information see “When and How do you receive the Holy Spirit?”

Is baptism required for salvation?

The short answer is yes.  Jesus said that we must believe and be baptised to be saved. 

Mark 16:15  And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.
Mark 16:16  “He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.

To be saved we need the Holy Spirit dwelling in us.

Rom 8:11  But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.

To receive the Holy Spirit we need to be baptised.

Acts 2:38  Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.