In Gospel according to John in chapter 3, after Jesus tells Nicodemus the importance of being Born Again, it is written
John 3:22
After this, Jesus and his disciples went out into the Judean countryside, where he spent some time with them, and baptized.
So this very act confirms that first step to be Born Again is “Born of Water” i.e. Baptism. The word Baptism is not found in Old Testament, and for the very first time we read about Baptism even before the Jesus starts his ministry. John the Baptist who was supposed to make the way for Jesus was asking people to repent for their sins and get Baptized with water.
Mathew 3:1-6
In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” This is he who was spoken of through the prophet Isaiah:
“A voice of one calling in the wilderness,
‘Prepare the way for the Lord,
make straight paths for him.’”
John’s clothes were made of camel’s hair, and he had a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey. People went out to him from Jerusalem and all Judea and the whole region of the Jordan.
Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River.
So here we find that Baptism is confession of Sins. So, when we get Baptized we confess our sins in front of God and ask for his forgiveness which is granted by Jesus being killed on Cross. When He carried our sins and took our punishment on himself. So baptism is also the confession of the fact that Jesus is our savior and he died on the cross for our sins. We must believe in Jesus so we don’t die in our sins but have everlasting life.
John 3:16-18
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.
In today’s Churches there are two kinds of Baptisms one is (i) Child Baptism and (ii) Adult Baptism. But remember Baptism taken once. I mean either you had it when you were child or you have it when you grow up i.e. Adult. Bible does not specify exactly any Age restriction or Criteria for Baptism. So some people do not agree with the idea of Child Baptism.
So, let’s see what exactly we mean by Child Baptism. Child Baptism is essentially for those children who are born in a Christian family and whose parents are active members of Church. Well those who criticize the Child Baptism have the argument that a Child does not have understanding to confess his sins. Well then let’s see what Jesus said about Children.
Mathew 19:13-15
Then people brought little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them and pray for them. But the disciples rebuked them.
Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” When he had placed his hands on them, he went on from there.
So Children in sight of God are Brainless or Senseless personalities. So, I see no point in rebuking the Child from getting baptized for to them the kingdom of heaven belongs.
Secondly, in Child Baptism it’s not the Child taking any decision. Here the Parents and the Church makes the promise that they will let the child grow in wisdom of God. Parents will teach the child about Jesus and Bible daily. I mean really there can be no better teacher for a child other than his parents. So, Child Baptism is about a promise to God that this Child will be made to know about Jesus and Bible so he can grow up to be a good Christian. Like what is written about the childhood of Jesus in Gospel according to Luke.
Luke 2:52
And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.
Also there is no mention of Children being not allowed to take Baptism in Bible. In Acts at many places we read about entire household being baptized. It does not say that Children were not Baptized. So Child Baptism is a promise by elders of Church and Parent that they will make the child grow in Wisdom and in stature and in favor of God to become a Good Christian Adult.
And about Adult baptism there is nothing special, I mean from above we already have seen about Baptism, those who come to know about Jesus later in life have Adult Baptism.
Now some readers of this article might be wondering I said in the beginning that Baptism is confession of Sin so why is a Child born in Christian family relaxed from this confession. Well to get an answer for this we must differentiate between the Baptisms before Jesus was crucified i.e. Baptism of John the Baptist. Till then Jesus had not died for our sins. So till then the Baptism was confession to God. Let’s see what Jesus said to Nicodemus
John 3:13-15
No one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven—the Son of Man. Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him.”
Jesus here by saying “Son of Man being lifted up” tells about his death on cross and ascension into heaven. Also, the Baptism we take is not the same as what was administered by John the Baptism. If you are wondering how then let’s see what Jesus said to his disciples after his resurrection from death.
Mathew 28:18-20
Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Hence the Baptism has to be done in the Name of Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Obviously John did not give baptism like this but was simply a baptism for confession of Sins. But, today Baptism is not only the confession of Sins, but in addition to that it also means that we believe in Holy Trinity and confess that Jesus died for our Sins.