Note: this post was originally published on January 13, 2017.
Key Points:
Baptism appears in the New Testament through the ministry of John the Baptist, who called people to repentance and prepared the way for Jesus.
Jewish ritual immersion in a mikvah is not the same as Christian baptism, but it is the historical foundation for understanding purification through water.
Jesus was baptized to “fulfill all righteousness,” marking the beginning of His ministry and offering an example for believers.
Christians practice baptism in different ways, such as immersion, pouring, or sprinkling, depending on tradition and belief about its meaning.
Adults may choose baptism as a personal expression of faith, while some traditions baptize children to welcome them into the faith community.
Baptism is first mentioned in the New Testament in reference to John the Baptist. Matthew recounts: "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." Later in the chapter, Matthew tells us that Jesus came to John to be baptized in water.
John felt unworthy to baptize the Son of God, but Jesus told him that "it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness." This event was considered the beginning of Christ's ministry and remains central for understanding how to get baptized in Christian traditions today.
Related Post: What is Baptism? A Look at Meaning, History, and Practice
Do Christians Get Baptized?
Yes, Christians across many denominations practice baptism, though the meaning and method vary. Some faiths view baptism as a sacrament that conveys God's grace, while others see it as a public declaration of faith. Immersion, pouring, or sprinkling are all used depending on the tradition.
Ministers, pastors, or recognized church leaders often perform a baptism, though many denominations also allow licensed or ordained ministers outside a church system to do so.
Do Jewish People Get Baptized?
While the word baptism does not appear in ancient Jewish tradition, the practice of ritual immersion does, and it forms the historical foundation of Christian baptism.
From Mikvah to Baptism: The Jewish Tradition
Baptism is not mentioned in the Jewish tradition, but the Jews understood ritual cleansing through water. They call it a mikvah. Isaiah told the Jews to "wash yourselves, make yourselves clean" (Isaiah 1:16). John the Baptist was preparing the Jews for the Messiah, thus he baptized in the name of repentance.
The mikvah was considered the proper washing before religious rites and ceremonies. An immersion in this blessed pool of water would purify the individual. The mikvah is most commonly used by:
- Jewish women after menstruation or childbirth to achieve ritual purity
- Jewish men prior to a Jewish holiday or before Shabbat
- Brides and bridegrooms before the wedding ceremony
- Men and women who are converting to Judaism
In Hasidic customs, a man might enter the mikvah every day for cleansing. In some traditions, cookware is immersed before using to ensure that the utensils are kosher.
The mikvah has strict requirements; for example, the entire body, including every strand of hair, must be submerged to attain purity. There can be no barrier between the body and water. A person must remove all clothes, jewelry, makeup and hair products.
Some sects believe that the hair must be combed straight to achieve ritual purity, but in most cases, if the hair is loose enough to pass water through it, the rabbis allow different hair styles.
Why Did Jesus Get Baptized?
The Jewish people who were waiting for the Messiah certainly understood the tradition of purification by water. John the Baptist was the man chosen to prepare the way. Although it might have been problematic for John, a sinner, to baptize the Messiah, a man without sin, John clearly believed that he was undeserving and thought that Jesus should baptize him. When Jesus came out of the water, the Spirit of God descended on him, thus proving that Jesus was the Son of God.
Christians understand Jesus’ baptism in several ways:
- It marked the beginning of His ministry
- It identified Him with the people He came to save
- It demonstrated obedience and fulfilled prophecy
Because Jesus was baptized, Christians often look to His example when learning how to baptize someone in a simple, respectful, and meaningful way.
Why Do People Get Baptized as an Adult?
Many adults choose to be baptized when they reach a point of personal faith and commitment. Some were not raised in a Christian environment, some return to faith later in life, and others choose adult baptism because their denomination teaches believer’s baptism.
Adult baptism often symbolizes repentance, renewal, and a conscious step toward following Christ. Adults may also receive a baptism certificate to document the occasion for church or personal records.
Why Do People Get Baptized as a Kid?
In many Christian traditions, especially Catholic, Orthodox, and some Protestant denominations, infants and young children are baptized. This practice is based on the belief that baptism brings the child into the faith community and conveys God’s grace.
Other traditions wait until children are old enough to understand the meaning of baptism and make a personal decision. Affusion, or sprinkling, is most commonly used for infants.
Baptism Practices Today
Baptisms are now performed either through immersion or affusion. With immersion, the person is completely submerged in water. The affusion method is most commonly used for infants, as it involves sprinkling water onto the individual. Some faiths use affusion for adults, especially when a body of water is not available or when health problems are present that preclude an individual from immersion.
Baptism is the transmission of God's grace to the person being baptized, and it is demonstrative of the change in the person's life by coming to Christ. It's one of the most important ceremonies in a Christian's walk with God. The ceremony should be treated with reverence and respect.
Celebrating Christ's Baptism
Traditionally, Christ's baptism is remembered on the day of Epiphany, January 6th, or the closest Sunday to that day, between January 2nd and 8th. Baptism is one of the seven sacraments of the Catholic Church. In other traditions, the ritual is considered a sacrament or sacred ordinance, much like marriage or communion.
People Get Baptized for Many Reasons
There are many reasons why a person may want to get baptized. ULC ministers can and do perform baptisms. When asked to perform the ritual, discuss the reasons for being baptized and what the person expects.
You can find resources on our website to become an ordained minister online and help you plan a baptismal ceremony for both adults and children. We include guidance on what is needed to perform a baptism, and how to issue or record a baptism certificate.
