Is a class required before baptism?

Definition of Baptism

Baptism, as recorded throughout the New Testament, signifies identification with the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ and the acceptance of His salvation. Peter’s Pentecost sermon illustrates this meaning: “Peter replied, ‘Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit’” (Acts 2:38). From these earliest days of the church, baptism was understood as an outward expression of an inward change—a public declaration of faith in the risen Messiah.

Scriptural Mandate for Baptism

Jesus’ final command, commonly called the Great Commission, includes baptism as an integral component of discipleship: “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you” (Matthew 28:19–20). Notably, the passage includes both baptizing and teaching, indicating that instruction in the faith is a natural companion to baptism. However, Scripture never explicitly prescribes a required course or class structure as a prerequisite.

Immediate Responses in the Early Church

The Book of Acts includes multiple accounts of immediate baptisms following professions of faith. After Philip explained the good news to the Ethiopian eunuch, the eunuch asked, “Look, here is water. What can prevent me from being baptized?” (Acts 8:36). Philip then baptized him right away. Similarly, the Philippian jailer and his household were baptized “without delay” (Acts 16:33). These narratives suggest no formal, lengthy instruction period was uniformly required; rather, baptism appears to have followed a credible confession of faith.

Teaching Before or After Baptism

Although the New Testament does not contain an explicit requirement for a formal class, various passages show that teaching and discipleship—before and after baptism—were central to early Christian community life. In the Great Commission, the directive to “teach them to obey all that I have commanded” (Matthew 28:20) accompanies the instruction to baptize. Early church writings such as the Didache (an ancient Christian document believed to date to the first or second century AD) mention instructions in the faith before baptism, though these guidelines are not part of the biblical canon.

Different congregations throughout history have approached this principle with diverse methods. In many traditions, candidates receive foundational teaching (sometimes called catechesis) prior to baptism to ensure understanding of the faith. This practice can be traced, among other reasons, to pastoral caution that individuals be grounded in biblical truth (Ephesians 4:14–15). Nevertheless, the New Testament examples show that, in urgent circumstances, baptism often happened promptly upon a credible expression of faith.

Practical Considerations in Modern Context

While Scripture does not mandate a set class, various churches today have found benefit in encouraging baptism classes or counseling conversations. These may help believers understand key biblical doctrines, the significance of baptism, and the responsibilities and privileges that come with belonging to a local body of Christ. In modern practice, a brief or extended course can reinforce discipleship, clarify misconceptions, and promote unity in doctrine. Yet it must be remembered that such classes or instructions are an extension of local church praxis rather than a biblical requirement.

In regions of the world where believers may face significant persecution, brief instruction or immediate baptism often occurs to avoid potential interference. Archaeological investigations of early Christian baptisteries in places such as North Africa and the Middle East show baptism was taken very seriously, yet these discoveries do not indicate a uniform requirement for extensive formal training. Historical documents reveal a variety of practices that align with the scriptural command to believe and be baptized.

Consistency With the Full Counsel of Scripture

Throughout the entire biblical narrative, faith in Yahweh’s promises and a heartfelt commitment to Him remain essential prerequisites for acts of obedience. Romans 10:9 teaches that salvation is linked to professing faith and believing in one’s heart, and baptism is, in turn, the natural outward testimony of that belief (Romans 6:3–4). The reliability of this teaching rests on the manuscript evidence that has been meticulously compared and analyzed across centuries, confirming that the same emphasis on repentance and faith leading to baptism appears consistently in the oldest surviving New Testament texts.

Doctrinal Purposes for Training

In church history, requiring teaching or instruction prior to baptism mainly serves these ends:

1. Ensuring clarity of faith.

2. Affirming the new believer’s understanding of Christ’s death and resurrection.

3. Emphasizing the public commitment to the local body of believers.

The church’s intent in conducting such classes is pastoral rather than legalistic. Instruction helps newly professed believers grasp the meaning behind the sacrament and assimilate into a community of disciples. As a modern application of the Great Commission’s teaching component, classes can protect new believers from wavering under cultural pressures (Acts 14:22).

Implications for Christian Communities

Many evangelical congregations treat classes or catechism as recommended practices rather than scripturally imposed mandates. Others blend one-on-one discipleship with immediate baptism, in line with Acts’ examples. Both approaches emphasize a core principle: baptism flows naturally from faith and repentance. The question of whether a class is “required” often depends on how a local church interprets and applies the biblical texts, taking into account the care of souls, avoidance of confusion, and encouragement of spiritual formation.

Conclusion

The New Testament underscores believing in Christ, repenting of sin, and professing faith publicly as the main precursors for baptism. While many churches recommend or require instruction to help believers understand the significance of baptism, there is no scriptural command that makes a formal class compulsory. Rather, there is strong biblical precedent for immediate baptism upon a credible confession of faith, along with clear guidelines for ongoing teaching in the life of the believer.

Ultimately, the vital element is genuine commitment to Christ and an understanding of the meaning of baptism. Whether a congregation opts to structure a formal class or offers individualized discipleship, the goal remains to honor the biblical example of swiftly baptizing believers yet providing solid instruction so they may grow in faith and fulfill Christ’s commission to make disciples.