The Apprentice Pathway
This guide equips you for the sacred privilege of walking with someone through baptism. Below is the full process, from the first conversation to the path forward. Click any step to learn more.
Step 1The Initial Conversation (Taking a History)
When someone expresses interest, your guiding word is history. Ask open-ended questions to understand what brought them to this moment. Below are some helpful starters before moving on to assess the key areas of their story.
- Tell me about yourself. Where are you from? Tell me about your family.
- What is your faith background?
- When did you first start thinking about baptism?
- Tell me what you know about baptism.
- What questions do you have about baptism?
- Why is baptism your next step?
As you listen, you are gently assessing three key areas:
1. Theological Foundations
Do they understand the Gospel? Assess their sense of sin and their trust in Jesus as the only way.
2. Previous Experience
You must ask: “Have you been baptized before?” This opens the door to discuss sprinkling vs. immersion and repentance vs. re-baptism.
3. The Pivot to Scripture
Ask: “Have you seen what the Bible says?” This respectfully moves the conversation’s authority from tradition to the Text.
Step 2Navigating Common Scenarios
Your pastoral wisdom is key in guiding people through their specific circumstances. Three of the most common topics are age-related readiness, the desire for re-baptism, and our church’s stance on baptism and salvation.
On Age and Readiness +
When a parent brings a young child for baptism, it is wise to slow the process down. This is not to create a barrier, but to ensure the child has a personal understanding. Consider discussing these questions with the parents:
- Does your child know why they want to get baptized and can they explain their reasonings?
Children sometimes develop an interest in baptism because they see it as a rite of passage. If a child is ready, their primary motivations will be more substantial than this.
- Can your child personalize sin?
When confronted, can they identify genuine issues relating to their character, or do they focus on superficial flaws? It is important for anyone considering baptism to understand why they need forgiveness.
- Does your child have a realistic conception of what a commitment to Jesus means?
Explore what they think it means to follow Jesus in their daily life.
- Is your child old enough to retain distinct memories of the experience?
Many adults speak of the benefits of being able to remember their baptism and the anxiety that comes from not remembering. Gently explain that from experience, we see many adults who were baptized very young struggle with the meaning of their baptism later in life.
On Re-baptism +
Most conversations about re-baptism are with those who feel they have failed in their faith. This is a moment to point them to the sufficiency of the cross.
- Repentance vs. Re-baptism: Remind them that Jesus’ sacrifice was “once for all time” (Hebrews 10:12). Their security is in His perfection, not their own. The daily Christian practice is repentance, not re-baptism.
- When Re-baptism is Appropriate: A new baptism is appropriate if the first was not a biblical baptism (e.g., infant sprinkling) or when the person can honestly say their first immersion was not an act of genuine faith.
Our Stance on Baptism and Salvation +
This is an area of rich theological discussion, and it’s vital that we approach it with both clarity in our convictions and deep charity toward those who hold different perspectives.
We believe that while baptism is not the means of salvation, it is an essential and non-negotiable act of obedience for every follower of Jesus.
To understand this, we look to the pattern of the early church. In the New Testament, belief, repentance, and baptism were not seen as separate, sequential events, but as deeply intertwined facets of a single, unified act of turning to and embracing Christ. It was a holistic expression of conversion. Our role as leaders is to be peacemakers in this conversation. This doesn’t mean we avoid the distinctions, but that we model a gracious spirit. We are called to gently guide people toward the full counsel of Scripture, helping them to see baptism not as a point of contention, but as a beautiful, unifying act of commitment that Scripture prescribes for every believer.
Step 3A Journey Through Scripture
Your role is to guide people through the biblical narrative. You don’t need to be a scholar, just a fellow traveler pointing to the beauty and truth in the text.
The Old Testament Foundation
God has always saved His people by bringing them through chaotic waters. This “design pattern” provides a rich backdrop for what baptism represents. Use the accordion below to explore these foundational stories.
Genesis 1: Creation +
“And God said, ‘Let the water under the sky be gathered to one place, and let dry ground appear.’ And it was so.” (v. 9)
Main Idea: The story begins with God separating the chaotic waters to create dry land, a safe place where life can flourish. This establishes a core theme: God brings order and life out of watery chaos.
Genesis 6–8: Noah’s Ark +
“But I will establish my covenant with you, and you will enter the ark—you and your sons and your wife and your sons’ wives with you.” (6:18)
Main Idea: God saves Noah’s family through the floodwaters that purify a corrupted world. They emerge on the other side to a new, clean creation, representing salvation through judgment waters.
Exodus 14: The Red Sea +
“But the Israelites went through the sea on dry ground, with a wall of water on their right and on their left.” (v. 29)
Main Idea: Covered by the blood of the Passover lamb, the nation of Israel is saved from slavery by passing through the waters of the Red Sea, which crash down upon their enemies. It is a baptism of a nation into a new identity.
Joshua 3: The Jordan River +
“The priests who carried the ark of the covenant of the LORD stood firm on dry ground in the middle of the Jordan, while all Israel passed by…” (v. 17)
Main Idea: To enter the promised land, Israel must again pass through water—the Jordan River. This act consecrates them as they enter their inheritance, setting the stage for the very place John will later baptize.
The Gospels: Jesus, Our Pattern
Jesus sets the example for our own baptism and gives the command for the church’s practice.
John’s Baptism (Luke 3:3) +
“He went into all the country around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.”
Main Idea: John the Baptist preached a baptism of repentance. It was a preparatory act for the people of Israel, a turning away from sin to prepare their hearts for the coming of the Messiah.
Jesus’ Baptism (Matthew 3:13–17) +
“Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.” (v. 15)
Main Idea: Jesus, who had no sin to repent of, was baptized “to fulfill all righteousness.” He identifies with us in our humanity and sets the pattern for our own obedience. At His baptism, the Trinity is present, and the Father declares His pleasure in the Son.
The Great Commission (Matthew 28:19–20) +
“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…” (v. 19)
Main Idea: This is our command from the resurrected Christ. He instructs his followers to make disciples of all nations, and the specified action for this is “baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”
Acts: The Early Church in Practice
The book of Acts is descriptive, showing us the consistent pattern of the first Christians after receiving the Holy Spirit.
Acts 2: Pentecost +
“Peter replied, ‘Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.’… Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.” (v. 38, 41)
Main Idea: At the birth of the church, the pattern is established: The Gospel is preached, people believe and repent, and they are baptized.
Acts 8: Philip in Samaria +
“But when they believed Philip as he proclaimed the good news of the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women… for the Holy Spirit had not yet come on any of them; they had simply been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then Peter and John placed their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.” (v. 12, 16–17)
Main Idea: This passage shows that the reception of the Holy Spirit and baptism, while connected, are not always a single, formulaic event. We must hold this in tension.
Acts 8: The Ethiopian Eunuch +
“Then Philip began with that very passage of Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus… the eunuch said, ‘Look, here is water. What can stand in the way of my being baptized?’ And he gave orders to stop the chariot. Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and Philip baptized him.” (v. 35, 36, 38)
Main Idea: Baptism is not presented as a long, drawn-out process. It is often a spontaneous and immediate response to hearing and believing the Gospel.
Acts 10: Cornelius’ Household +
“While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message… Then Peter said, ‘Surely no one can stand in the way of their being baptized with water. They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have.’” (v. 44, 47)
Main Idea: This is a pivotal moment where the Gospel officially extends to the Gentiles. Here, the Holy Spirit comes before baptism, again showing we must avoid rigid formulas.
Acts 16: Lydia & the Jailer +
“When she and the members of her household were baptized, she invited us to her home… Then he and all his household were baptized without delay.” (v. 15, 33)
Main Idea: The Gospel impacts entire families. The mention of “households” shows the permeating power of the good news into family units.
Acts 19: Disciples at Ephesus +
“Paul said, ‘John’s baptism was a baptism of repentance. He told the people to believe in the one coming after him, that is, in Jesus.’ On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.” (v. 4–5)
Main Idea: This passage clearly distinguishes Christian baptism from John’s baptism. It highlights the importance of being baptized in the name of Jesus, with an understanding of who He is.
The Epistles: Theological Depth
The apostles unpack the profound meaning of what happens in baptism. These passages are perfect for reflection before entering the water. Use the accordion below to explore each passage.
Romans 6:1–14 — Union with Christ +
“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.” (v. 4)
Context: Paul rejects the idea that we should sin more to get more grace. He points to the reality of our new life in Christ.
Explanation: Paul uses baptism as a powerful illustration of being spiritually united with Jesus in his death, burial, and resurrection.
Main Idea: The power of sin is broken in our lives. We are no longer slaves to sin but are alive to God. This is a powerful reminder to look back to the moment of baptism and remember that sin’s dominion is broken.
Galatians 3:26–29 — A New Identity +
“So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.” (v. 26–27)
Context: Paul argues against legalism, emphasizing that we are made right with God through faith, not by keeping the law.
Explanation: In the middle of his argument about faith, Paul connects baptism to the moment we “put on” our new identity.
Main Idea: Our old distinctions (Jew/Gentile, slave/free, male/female) are erased in our unity with Him. We are all one in Christ Jesus.
Colossians 2:9–15 — Spiritual Circumcision +
“…having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through your faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead.” (v. 12)
Context: Paul warns against empty philosophies, reminding the Colossians that they are complete in Christ.
Explanation: Paul draws a parallel between baptism and circumcision. Baptism is a “spiritual circumcision” where Christ cuts away our sinful nature.
Main Idea: Baptism is the New Covenant sign that replaces circumcision, where the record of our debt is nailed to the cross.
1 Peter 3:18–22 — A Response to God +
“…and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also—not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a clear conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ.” (v. 21)
Context: Peter encourages believers who are suffering, pointing them to Christ’s own suffering and victory.
Explanation: Peter uses the flood as a picture of baptism, clarifying that it’s not the physical water that saves, but the reality to which it points.
Main Idea: Baptism is our response to God, an appeal for a clean conscience, made effective by the power of Jesus’ resurrection.
Step 4The Mechanics of Baptism
Understanding the physical and logistical mechanics ensures the moment is one of peace and celebration, not awkwardness. Here is the step-by-step process.
Enter
- Enter the baptistry and stand side-by-side.
- Face the crowd.
- The baptizer introduces the two of you, followed by, “Please share how Jesus has brought you to this moment.”
- The baptizee shares a few words of how Jesus has brought them to today.
Confession
- Turn to one another.
- The baptizer will guide the baptizee through the confession of faith, one line at a time.
- The baptizee repeats each line after the baptizer:
“I believe…
that Jesus is the Christ…
the Son of the living God.
He died and rose again.
I embrace him as my Lord and Savior.”
Position
- The baptizee stands perpendicular to the baptizer.
- The baptizer states clearly:
“Upon your confession of faith, I now baptize you in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.”
(These words are posted on the baptistry walls for you to read.)
Dunk
For the Baptizee
- Pinch your nose.
- Grab your wrist.
- Bend your knees as you are being lowered.
For the Baptizer
- Grab their arm firmly.
- Place your other hand in the middle of their upper back.
- Take a wide step back as you lower them.
- Make sure their head goes all the way under the water.
- As you lower them say, “Buried with Christ.”
- As you raise them say, “Raised to a new life.”
Celebrate!
Once you are done celebrating in the water:
- Exit the water.
- Grab a towel.
- Change in one of our designated dressing rooms.
- ✓Fill out CCB form
Include name, contact info, T-shirt size, baptizer, and date/time. This notifies admin and worship teams.
- ✓Announce on Teams to staff
We want to witness and celebrate as many baptisms as we can together.
- ✓Contact the candidate about details
Confirm date/time. Check in the day before. Remind them about clothing and towels.
- ✓Auditorium prep (if not on Sunday)
Set lights, open curtain, clear stage, and prepare camera with data card.
- ✓Auditorium clean-up (if not on Sunday)
Close and lock back rooms, close curtain, set stage back, and turn off lights.
- ✓Post-baptism follow-up
Transfer video file to Connections Minister. Update CCB status to “NS: Baptized” with date. Mail video, certificate, and letter. Upload video to Teams “Baptisms” file.
Step 5The Path Forward
Baptism is a Starting Point, Not a Finish Line
The work of apprenticeship begins in earnest after the water. Our role continues as we encourage connection to the church body, community groups, spiritual practices, and a life of continued growth, always remembering the grace received in this beautiful moment.
Walking with someone? Send them baptism.forumchristian.org →Walk to the Water · Forum Christian Church · the staff guide for walking with someone through baptism. For candidates: baptism.forumchristian.org · Staff Dashboard