Baptism is a sign or a seal. Baptism is a visible demonstration of faith in Jesus Christ – either that of the adult getting baptised or of the parents and godparents of the child getting baptised. It neither confers God’s grace, nor is it a precondition to receiving God’s grace (his gift of salvation).
The spiritual significance of baptism is understood by looking at what the Bible says about baptism. As the first Christians gathered at Pentecost, the Apostle Peter called on people to ‘Repent and be baptised, everyone of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins’ (Acts 2:38)
The act of baptism symbolises the washing away of sin – that is, the turning from our old way and turning to God (which the Bible calls ‘repentance’). Baptism is therefore only meaningful where there is a genuine decision and desire to follow Jesus Christ. It is a commitment to following and serving him for the whole of our lives. The Baptism service itself expresses the expectation that the person will “continue as Christ’s faithful soldier and servant until their life’s end.”
Any person who professes faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour and has at least a basic understanding of the Christian faith may be baptized. In the case of children it is the parents and godparents who express this faith on behalf of the child. This is only meaningful where the parents and godparents have a genuine faith in Christ themselves and should not be sought if there is no faith seen in daily life and weekly worship.