Back to Baptist Overview Baptism

Believer's baptism by immersion — the practice that gives Baptists their name.

The word Baptist began as a nickname: opponents called the early believers anabaptists, or re-baptizers, because they baptized again those who had been sprinkled as infants. Baptists answered that they were not re-baptizing; they were baptizing believing disciples the way the New Testament did. This page maps the conviction, the mode, and the evidence.

Baptist ClaimBaptism is for professing believers, by immersion in water, in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and it pictures union with Christ in death and resurrection.

Main ReceiptsFirst London Confession (1644), Standard Confession (1660), Second London Confession (1689), Keach's Catechism.

Live DisputePaedobaptist churches baptize infants; Baptists insist that the New Testament order is faith first, then baptism, and that immersion is the prescribed mode.

Component Map

6 pieces that have to be kept distinct.

Believer's BaptismOnly those who repent and believe may be baptized; baptism presumes a credible profession of faith.

ImmersionThe New Testament word baptizo and the practice of John, Jesus, and the apostles point to burial and resurrection in water.

No Infant BaptismBaptists rejected the state-church practice of christening infants, arguing that faith and repentance are prerequisite to baptism.

Ordinance, Not SacramentBaptism does not wash away sin by its own power; it is an obedient sign of grace already received through faith.

Door to the ChurchBaptism orders the gathered church: believers are baptized into a local congregation as its visible members.

The Name BaptistThe nickname of the re-baptizers stuck; Baptists embraced it as a badge of belief in believers' baptism.

Receipt Trail

Start here before drawing conclusions.

First London Confession (1644/46)The Particular Baptist confession that defends immersion as essential to the ordinance.

Standard Confession (1660)General Baptist confession presented to Charles II, insisting on believer's baptism and liberty of conscience.

Keach's CatechismQuestion-and-answer instruction on baptism for professing believers.