Are new believers supposed to be baptized immediately?

from the old testament

• Baptism as a response to accepting the saving grace of Jesus Christ is recorded only in the New Testament.

from the new testament

• Jesus’ disciples baptized people, but Scripture doesn’t indicate the time between professing faith and baptizing (John 3:22, John 4:1-2).
• About three thousand believers were baptized at Pentecost after Peter’s sermon (Acts 2:41).
• Acts 8:12 states that the people believed Philip as he preached the good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ and were being baptized. That suggests these baptisms took place soon after the people professed their faith in Christ.
• The wording of Acts 8:36-38 implies that the Ethiopian eunuch’s baptism was immediate. As Philip and the eunuch traveled, they came upon water, and the eunuch eagerly asked, “What prevents me from being baptized?” Philip confirmed his belief in Christ, and they stopped then and there so he could be baptized.
• Acts 9:17-18 suggests a short delay between Paul's belief and baptism. After his dramatic encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus, Paul was blind for three days and did not eat or drink (Acts 9:9). When Ananias arrived, he laid hands on Paul, restoring his sight and filling him with the Holy Spirit. Immediately after that, Paul got up and was baptized. When Paul recounted this story, he indicates that Ananias said to him, “Why do you delay?” (Acts 22:16). The phrase in Greek implies urgency. Ananias emphasizes that since Paul had encountered Christ and received his sight, there was no reason to hesitate to respond with baptism.
• After receiving the Holy Spirit Cornelius and his household, who had just heard the gospel, were baptized in the name of Jesus Christ without delay (Acts 10:47-48).
• While no time frame is given, there is also no indication of delay of the baptisms in Acts 16:14-15. Lydia listened, the Lord opened her heart, she responded, and she and her household were baptized.
• In Acts 16:30-33, the jailer asked what he must do to be saved and was told he needed to believe. Paul and Silas spoke the word of God to him, and that very hour of the night, he and his household were baptized.
• After learning about Jesus, the disciples of John the Baptist were baptized by Paul, and Scripture doesn’t indicate any delay (Acts 19:3-5).
• The Epistles don't record specific baptisms or indicate how quickly a new believer should be baptized, but they emphasize the theological significance of baptism: Romans 6:3-4 presents baptism as symbolizing being buried and raised with Christ. Baptism in Galatians 3:27 represents being clothed with Christ (having a new identity in Christ). Colossians 2:12 shows baptism as signifying spiritual rebirth.

implications for today

The Book of Acts contains many instances of immediate baptism after conversion of faith. Immediate, or relatively close to immediate, baptism appears to be the biblical norm and was a common practice of the early church.

Matthew 28:18–20 records Jesus' parting commands to His followers: "And Jesus came and said to them, 'All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.'" Clearly, new believers are to be baptized; however, most churches do not practice spontaneous baptism or baptism immediately after conversion.

Some churches today want a person to have a complete understanding of salvation and even witness a baptism before going through the act themselves. For this reason, many churches offer classes and extended education to help clear up any issues about belief and baptism. At the same time, there is also an emphasis on being baptized quickly after confession of faith. In part, this is because being baptized is a requirement in some churches before one can partake in communion (1 Corinthians 11:27-29), become a congregation member, or serve in a leadership position.

The Bible contains no command about when a person should be baptized. The leadership of each church may determine the best practice for their local congregation. But it is never too late to be baptized. If a person has come to salvation in Christ and has not yet been baptized–even if it has been decades since their conversion—baptism remains an important act of obedience.