Romans 6:3–4 (ESV) "Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life."
We can be identified by many things—hair color, accent, last name, and a host of other attributes and allegiances. But what happens to the saved, redeemed, justified, regenerated man or woman when they slip into the water is the most important identifier of all.
As Southern Baptists, we hold to a biblical view of baptism rooted in Reformed theology. We take our cues from Jesus, who launched His public ministry by being baptized by John in the Jordan River at the age of 30.
Mark 1:9–11 (ESV) "In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. And when he came up out of the water, immediately he saw the heavens being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, 'You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.'"
Jesus was baptized not for repentance, because He was and always will be without sin. However, He began His ministry in baptism to identify Himself with us and to set the example for us to follow in identifying with Him after His death and resurrection.
We believe the Scriptures lay out a post-salvation, immersion baptism—not for the remission of sins or receiving the Holy Spirit, but out of obedience to the One who modeled it perfectly and commanded us to do so. We do not subscribe to a Paedobaptist view, which holds that children can be baptized, sometimes as a means of cleansing original sin or as a sign of a new covenant with God, like circumcision in the Old Testament. However, outside of these traditions, there is no indication anywhere in Scripture that infant baptism was common practice. Baptism—whether for adults or infants—does not save anyone. Jesus does that by grace through faith alone. However, we believe that baptism is a statement and symbol of our new life in Christ.
Above the Water
When a person is in the water before they are baptized, it signifies their life before Christ. We were dead in our sins and in need of a Savior. This represents the old self.
Immersion in the Water
Being plunged beneath the water represents dying to our sins. The old self dies, just as Christ was buried in death. The old ways, thoughts, desires, goals, and achievements are laid to rest, as Jesus was.
Rising Out of the Water
When brought up out of the water, it signifies new life. The old is gone, and the new has come. Just as Jesus victoriously defeated death, hell, and the grave, we too, through Christ, have been given new life and are raised to walk in it. Just as Jesus rose from the grave three days after His death, we are raised to walk in the new life He has given us. New hopes, desires, affections, thoughts, and goals now mark this new life. We are no longer who we once were.
As the great theologian Taylor Swift says, "The old me can't come to the phone right now. Why? She’s dead." The old self is dead and gone, and now, as the apostle Paul says:
Galatians 2:20 (ESV) "I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me."
Who Can Baptize?
There is no explicit prescription in Scripture about who can and cannot baptize, but as a church, we adhere to the principle found in the Great Commission. Baptism is Great Commission work done by believers.
Matthew 28:18–19 (ESV) "And Jesus came and said to them, 'All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 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.'"
Here are the requirements we would see for someone to baptize another:
The person must be a follower of Jesus.
The person must have also followed the Lord in water baptism themselves.
Footnotes
Romans 6:3-4, ESV Bible.
Mark 1:9-11, ESV Bible.
Matthew 28:18-19, ESV Bible.
Galatians 2:20, ESV Bible.