Baptism is a profound and essential doctrine within the Christian faith, symbolizing the believer's identification with the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. As articulated in Romans 6:4, "We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life." This sacrament serves as an outward sign of an inward transformation, marking the initiation of a believer's journey of faith. In Acts 2:38, Peter urges, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins," emphasizing the necessity of repentance prior to baptism. Furthermore, the New Testament consistently illustrates that baptism is reserved for those who can consciously respond to the gospel, as seen in the account of the Ethiopian eunuch in Acts 8:36-38, where he professes his faith before being baptized. The doctrine of baptism also raises important discussions regarding infant baptism, with many arguing, as highlighted in the sermon "No Babies Baptized in the Bible," that Scripture does not support the practice of baptizing infants, as they lack the ability to understand and profess faith. Ultimately, baptism stands as a vital act of obedience and public declaration of faith, aligning with Jesus' command in Matthew 28:19 to make disciples and baptize them.
John R. Rice emphasizes the importance of salvation before baptism, refuting the practice of infant baptism by highlighting the absence of New Testament records supporting it. He discusses the cases of Lydia and the jailer in Acts 16, where households were baptized after hearing and believing in the