The topic of baptism classes is one that generates much discussion and debate among Christians. Some view baptism classes as an essential part of preparing someone for believer’s baptism, while others see little to no biblical support for requiring baptism classes. In this article, we will walk through what the Bible has to say about baptism, baptism classes, and whether requiring baptism classes is biblical.
What is Baptism According to the Bible?
In the Bible, baptism is consistently portrayed as an outward expression and public declaration of faith in Jesus Christ. It signifies the believer’s identification with the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ (Romans 6:3-4). Baptism also marks one’s entrance into the body of Christ, the church (1 Corinthians 12:13). Therefore, baptism is a symbolic act demonstrating what has already taken place inwardly in the believer’s life – the washing away of sins through faith in Christ (Acts 22:16).
The Bible makes it clear that baptism does not save a person or impart God’s grace (Ephesians 2:8-9). Rather, it serves as a visual representation and celebration of the saving work and grace that God has already accomplished in the believer’s life. Baptism is an act of obedience to Jesus’ command that all believers should be baptized (Matthew 28:19-20). Additionally, baptism publicly identifies the believer with the community of faith, providing opportunity for discipleship, accountability, and spiritual growth within the body of Christ.
What is the Purpose of Baptism Classes?
Baptism classes are courses offered by churches and ministries to prepare individuals for baptism. These classes generally have several aims:
- To give a biblical understanding of baptism – what it is, what it signifies, its purposes, etc.
- To ensure the individual understands the gospel, has repented of sin, and trusted in Christ for salvation.
- To assess the person’s readiness to obediently follow the Lord in believer’s baptism.
- To address any fears or uncertainties about baptism.
- To explain the logistics of the baptism service at that particular church.
- To begin integrating the person into the church community.
Therefore, baptism classes serve an important discipleship function – helping to build a biblical theology of baptism, evaluating the spiritual state of baptism candidates, and preparing them to take this significant public step of faith.
What Does the Bible Say About Baptism Classes?
There are no explicit biblical references to baptism classes or requirements to take a class prior to being baptized. Baptism is consistently portrayed in Scripture as closely following an individual’s profession of faith in Christ (Acts 8:12, Acts 8:38, Acts 16:33, etc.). There are no prescriptions about a preparation period or class prerequisite.
However, there are instances in the Bible where some delay or preparation took place between believing in Christ and being baptized:
- The Ethiopian Eunuch – Philip explained the gospel from Isaiah 53 to him, and after the eunuch believed Philip baptized him (Acts 8:26-39).
- Cornelius and His Household – Peter shared the gospel with them and after they believed and received the Holy Spirit, Peter had them baptized (Acts 10:44-48).
- The Philippian Jailer – Paul spoke the word of the Lord to him and his whole household believed and were baptized (Acts 16:32-33).
In these instances, there was some delay between professing faith and baptism during which basic gospel explanation and instruction took place. While not formal classes, they demonstrate the precedent for doing some preparatory teaching prior to baptism to ensure the individual understands the gospel and is ready to take this step.
Potential Benefits of Baptism Classes
While baptism classes go beyond explicit biblical example, there are several potential benefits that may come from offering classes to prepare baptism candidates:
- Allows time to assess the individual’s spiritual state and readiness for baptism.
- Provides important teaching and discipleship prior to baptism.
- Ensures the person has accurate biblical understanding about baptism.
- Begins integrating the person into church community.
- Allows people to thoughtfully count the cost and prepare for this public declaration.
- Minimizes the likelihood of false professions or misunderstandings.
If handled appropriately, baptism classes can serve a useful purpose in preparing believers to obediently follow the Lord in baptism. The key is maintaining the biblical perspective that baptism is about an individual’s inward faith, not completing a required class.
Cautions About Requiring Baptism Classes
While baptism classes may serve a constructive role, there are risks if completing a class is made an absolute requirement before baptism or used as an obstacle that delays baptism:
- Contradicts the biblical pattern of baptism closely following profession of faith.
- Potentially communicates that baptism classes are a prerequisite to salvation or right standing with God.
- May become more about doctrinal conformity than assessing the person’s heart readiness.
- Could turn into a form of gatekeeping that prevents or delays obeying Jesus’ command to be baptized.
- Limits the Holy Spirit’s sovereign work in a person’s life to prepare them for baptism.
Therefore, if baptism classes are offered churches should exercise wisdom and discernment to avoid erecting stumbling blocks to following the Lord in baptism. The focus should remain on individual confession of faith in Christ rather than completion of a required program.
Best Practices For Baptism Classes
Based on overall biblical principles, here are some recommended best practices for churches offering baptism classes:
- Allow baptism shortly after a credible profession of faith even if classes not completed. Faith in Christ is what makes one ready for baptism, not completing a class.
- Offer classes as discipleship and preparation, while maintaining baptism’s close tie to conversion.
- Focus classes on the gospel, meaning of baptism, and assessing spiritual readiness over doctrinal conformity.
- Tailor classes to the individual’s maturity and needs, recognizing some may require more preparation than others.
- Provide alternative class options (one-on-one, fast track, etc.) to avoid delaying baptism unnecessarily.
- Remain sensitive to spiritual readiness which can come quickly, not just upon completing classes.
Approaching baptism classes with wisdom and discernment honors both the necessity of baptism following confession of faith and the benefits classes can provide in preparing candidates.
Conclusion
In summary, while baptism classes themselves are not explicitly commanded in Scripture, they can serve a constructive purpose in preparing believers for baptism. However, churches should be cautious not to communicate that classes are an absolute prerequisite for baptism or to delay obedience to Jesus’ command to be baptized and identified with Him. If handled appropriately and sensitively, baptism classes can be useful discipleship tools to build understanding of baptism’s biblical basis and importance. Yet classes should never overshadow the requirement for baptism – confession of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.