Various Christian denominations practice a variety of baptism. Some place water on the head of the infant. Others sprinkle water onto the person as their form of baptism. In addition, there are those who pour water over the head of the new convert.
If we go to the original Greek for the word baptism it is Baptizo that means to immerse or put under. To take that translation literally, when a person is baptized, their whole body should be submerged in water. Also, the person officiating the baptism should say they are doing it in the name of the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit. This follows the Instructions Jesus gave in Matthew 28: 19.
Peter tells us that baptism does not save us, but it is the answer of a good conscience toward God. Paul tells us in Romans 6 that when a person is put under the water, it is symbolic of the believer to the death of Jesus. It is an individual declaration to say the old man is buried. When the person comes out of the water, Paul says it is symbolic of Jesus being resurrected. Therefore, the believer looks toward a new life in Christ in which they submit themselves to live a godly life.
The most important part of the new converts’ life is to believe and confess that Jesus is risen from the dead for all believers. Since baptism does not save the person, it is an act of obedience. With these facts in mind, it behooves everyone who claims to be a Christian to be baptized after their conversion.
Christian Writer 