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Christian Songs for Baptism

Songs about surrender, new life and a new name, for a baptism service or the celebration after.

19 songs

  1. Hello, My Name Is

    Matthew West, 2012

    Trading old names for a new one. Fun to play as the newly baptized come out.

    2 Corinthians 5:17

  2. Oceans (Where Feet May Fail)

    Hillsong UNITED, 2013

    Water and trust, sung right as someone steps into the water.

    Matthew 14:29

  3. Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing

    Robert Robinson, 1758

    "Here I raise my Ebenezer" marks a moment of remembering what God has done. A baptism is that kind of marker.

    1 Samuel 7:12

  4. Just As I Am

    Charlotte Elliott, 1835

    A song about coming to God with nothing to offer. Fits the moment someone walks to the water.

    John 6:37

  5. Shall We Gather at the River

    Robert Lowry, 1864

    A long-time favorite for outdoor baptisms in a river or lake.

    Revelation 22:1

  6. Take My Life and Let It Be

    Frances Havergal, 1874

    Gives every part of life to God. A good song for someone who just went under the water.

    Romans 12:1

  7. I Have Decided to Follow Jesus

    Traditional (India), 1900

    Short and simple, so the whole church can sing it as the person comes up out of the water.

    Luke 9:62

  8. Be Thou My Vision

    Irish traditional, tr. Mary Byrne, 1905

    A prayer for God to be first in everything, which is what a baptism declares.

    Psalm 16:8

  9. Oh Happy Day

    The Edwin Hawkins Singers, 1969

    The joyful gospel song about the day sins were washed away. Made for the celebration after.

    Acts 22:16

  10. Down to the River to Pray

    Alison Krauss, 2000

    A traditional song about going down to the river. Fits an outdoor baptism.

    Mark 1:9

  11. Mighty to Save

    Hillsong Worship, 2006

    Celebrates the God who saves. Upbeat enough for the moment someone comes up out of the water.

    Zephaniah 3:17

  12. Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone)

    Chris Tomlin, 2006

    The old hymn plus a chorus about being set free, which is what baptism pictures.

    Galatians 5:1

  13. Redeemed

    Big Daddy Weave, 2012

    About leaving who you used to be behind. Fits the testimony before the baptism.

    2 Corinthians 5:17

  14. Lord, I Need You

    Matt Maher, 2013

    A humble song for the moments before someone is baptized.

    John 15:5

  15. No Longer Slaves

    Bethel Music, 2014

    Being lifted out of the water as a child of God, not a slave to fear.

    Romans 8:15

  16. Something in the Water

    Carrie Underwood, 2014

    A country song about being baptized and changed. A good choice for the party after.

    Acts 2:38

  17. Who You Say I Am

    Among the Thirsty, 2015

    About taking God's word on who you are over your own. A fit for the testimony before the baptism. A different song from Hillsong's with the same name.

    Ephesians 2:10

  18. Build My Life

    Housefires, 2016

    A song about what you'll build your life on now. Fits the start of something new.

    Matthew 7:24

  19. Who You Say I Am

    Hillsong Worship, 2018

    About a new identity in Christ, which is the heart of baptism.

    John 8:36

Common questions

What is a traditional baptism song?

I Have Decided to Follow Jesus, Just As I Am and Shall We Gather at the River are the classics.

What modern songs are good for a baptism?

Oceans, Who You Say I Am, No Longer Slaves and Hello, My Name Is are popular because they're about a new identity.

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