What Do You Mean by “Water Baptism”?

Does salvation require water baptism? If so, how should it be done? Sprinkling? Pouring? Immersion? What about infants and children? Who should baptize an ordained minister or may others do it? When ready, should one wait or be baptized immediately? Is re-baptism necessary? What part does repentance play? How does the Bible answer all these questions?

Around the world, millions of people become professing Christians every year. Some are baptized babies, others young adults who have joined the church of their choice and others adult converts reached by missionaries. Of course, many “believers” are never baptized. Most of the rest are not correctly baptized.
On Pentecost, in A.D. 31, the day that the New Testament Church was created, the apostle Peter gave a powerful sermon to many listeners. His message was so convicting that 3,000 people were baptized. Before their baptism, many asked him, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?” (Acts 2:37). Peter’s answer was, “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” This verse is God’s plain command to “be baptized”! Not only is this instruction in your Bible, but the Bible also says repentance must precede baptism or one will not receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Most believe that there are no requirements, no conditions to being saved. This is untrue and the above verse proves there is at least one condition that must precede baptism itself repentance! Some of those who teach that there are no conditions for salvation often quote Romans 10:9, 13. Paul writes in verse 9, “That if you shall confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and shall believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved.” Verse 13 appears to make it even easier: “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”