Definition
Credobaptism
The practice of baptizing only those who profess repentance and faith in Christ—contrasted with infant baptism (paedobaptism).
What it is
Credobaptism comes from the Latin credo, meaning "I believe." It is believer's baptism: baptism administered only to those who actually profess repentance toward God and faith in and obedience to the Lord Jesus Christ.
The 1689 Baptist Confession states plainly that such persons "are the only proper subjects of this ordinance" (1689 29:2). Baptism is not for those who merely belong to a believing household by birth, but for those who personally confess Christ.
What baptism signifies
Baptism is a New Testament ordinance commanded by Christ. It is a sign—not the cause—of realities the believer already possesses through faith:
- Fellowship with Christ in His death and resurrection
- Being engrafted into Christ
- Remission of sins
- Committing to live and walk in newness of life
Why only believers
Who may be baptized follows from who belongs to the covenant of grace. In the New Covenant, membership is by spiritual regeneration through faith—not by physical descent, as the old covenant's national constitution included (Jeremiah 31:31–34).
Only those united to Christ as their federal head possess what baptism signifies. The New Testament pattern is consistent: belief, then baptism (Acts 2:38; 8:12; 10:44–48). The seal of the covenant is the indwelling Holy Spirit, not water baptism.
Mode
The 1689 Confession requires immersion—the dipping of the whole person in water—as necessary to the due administration of baptism (1689 29:4). This mode best pictures burial and resurrection with Christ.