Baptism: A History Deeper Than You Might Think

Baptism is one of the most central and beautiful rituals in the Christian tradition. It’s practiced in almost every denomination, from Catholic to Pentecostal, Orthodox to Evangelical. And while it might seem like a simple moment—being lowered into water and raised back up—the story behind it is anything but simple.

In fact, baptism holds centuries of history, theology, and meaning. It’s a symbol layered with significance: ancient, evolving, and deeply human.

Before Christianity: The Jewish Mikvah

Long before John the Baptist ever dunked anyone in the Jordan, Jewish communities were practicing ritual cleansing through something called the mikvah.

The mikvah wasn’t about sin. It was about ritual purity—a way to re-center your life on God in the regular rhythms of living. Things like childbirth or touching a dead body didn’t make someone “bad,” but they did invite moments of reflection and renewal. The mikvah, a pool of flowing “living water,” provided the space for that.

For ancient Jews, the mikvah was normal, rhythmic, and formative. And it laid the foundation for what baptism would later become.

John the Baptist and the Turn Toward Repentance

Enter John. Covered in camel hair and sticky with wild honey, he’s one of the Bible’s most eccentric figures. But his message was revolutionary.

John took the familiar practice of ritual washing and gave it a new twist: repentance.

Instead of a regular habit of purity, this baptism was about turning around, changing your heart, and preparing for something new. In his hands, an old practice became a prophetic invitation. He wasn’t abandoning the mikvah; he was reinterpreting it in light of the coming Christ.

Then Comes Jesus: Identity Before Action

And here’s where it gets even more mysterious.

When Jesus comes to be baptized, John protests. “You don’t need this,” he says. But Jesus insists. Why?

Because in that moment, baptism becomes about identity. Jesus isn’t repenting. He’s not cleansing from sin. He’s stepping fully into his identity as the beloved of God.

And that’s the point.

Before he teaches, heals, or raises anyone from the dead… before the cross… before the resurrection… Jesus is baptized, and heaven declares: “This is my son, whom I love.”

Before anything else, Jesus rests in the arms of God.

And that’s what baptism can mean for us too.

Baptism as Participation in Resurrection

Fast forward to the early church. After the resurrection, Jesus tells his disciples to baptize others—not just as a ritual, but as a marker of transformation. Paul picks up this thread and adds another profound layer:

“Don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death?… so that just as Christ was raised from the dead, we too may live a new life.” (Romans 6)

Suddenly, baptism is not only about cleansing or repentance or identity—it’s about death and resurrection. It’s a participation in the story of Jesus, in the rhythm of Holy Week and Easter. It’s symbolic of dying to the old, and rising into the new.

And Still, There’s More: Baptism as Grace

In our tradition at Commons, we use the language of “means of grace.”

Baptism is more than a symbol. It’s more than a statement. It’s an encounter—a moment where we trust that God meets us in the water.

Just as in the Eucharist we trust Christ is somehow present at the table, so too in baptism we believe God is present in the act, whispering again what was spoken over Jesus: “You are my beloved.”

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So What Does Baptism Mean?

It means commitment.

It means turning from what holds us back.

It means resting in God’s embrace.

It means participating in Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection.

It means trusting grace can reach even into our bodies and tell us we are loved.

Whether you’re considering baptism for the first time, or simply looking back on your own with fresh eyes, know this:

You don’t need to understand everything to begin.

You just need to be willing to get in the water.

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Interested in exploring baptism at Commons?

We’d love to talk with you. Reach out to our team or join us at our next baptism class.