Water Baptism

“…go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit…” (Matthew 28:19)

Some Key Questions & Answers About Baptism

What Christian Baptism Is

1.   Christian baptism is the application of water in submission to the authority of Jesus Christ.  It is an act of obedience, which commits one to a life of obedience.

2.   Christian baptism SYMBOLIZES the cleansing from sin, a washing away of the old. (Acts 22:16, Titus 3:5, I Peter 3:21)

3.   Christian baptism SYMBOLIZES the new birth by which one becomes a new creature in Christ.  It SYMBOLIZES the beginning of the new life.  (John 3:1-4, 2 Corinthians 12:13)

4.   Christian baptism is the act, which initiates the Christian into fellowship.  (Acts 2:36-41, I Corinthians 12:13)

5.   Christian baptism SYMBOLIZES the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus and also of the Christian, the new convert.  (Romans 6:3, Colossians 2:12.)

What Christian Baptism Is Not

It is not a guarantee of heaven. If there is not faith and repentance, water baptism is invalid.  (Ephesians 2:8, 9)

Why get baptized?

1.   Jesus did.  (Matthew 3:15)

2.   The early church practiced it. (Acts 2:38, 41, 8:12, 10:47-48)

3.   It is part of the Great Commission—it is a command. (Matthew 28:18-20)

4.   It demonstrates obedience to God.  (Matthew 3:15, I John 2:4)

Who should be baptized?

1.   Those who repent of their sins.  (Acts 17:30, Acts 2:38)

2.   Those who believe in Christ.  (John 3:36; Mark 16:16)

3.   Those who confess their sin. (I John 1:9)

4.   Those who receive Christ as their Savior.  (John 1:12, Revelation 3:20)

How soon should I be baptized?

The pattern in Acts was “immediately” after salvation.

Do we believe in “baptismal regeneration?”

No. Baptismalregeneration means that a person is saved by the act of baptism itself.  “Baptism is NOT to be understood as the actual means by which men are saved, but rather is to be regarded as symbolical of the experience of death to sin and spiritual resurrection in newness of life.” —Beacon Dictionary of Theology

Can a person be a Christian and not be baptized?

To say “yes” is to say more than the Bible says.  (Mark 16:16).  To say “no” is to presume to be God.  Once a person has said yes to Jesus as Savior AND Lord, he has forfeited all rights to say no to any of Christ’s commands.  Baptism is one of those commands.

Why do we insist that a church member be baptized?

Because in all biblical examples we have, this was the pattern of the early church.  We do not believe that we would be following the Scripture if we allowed less than that.

Can I invite others to the baptism ceremony?

This is a great celebration—a public testimony of your faith in Christ.  It is a wonderful opportunity to invite family and friends to share in your new commitment and an opportunity for them to find Christ as their Savior.

Pastor Garmon offers a two-session Baptism Class quarterly that prepares candidates for water baptism.  He will walk you through the process, what you can expect and how to write out a personal testimony.  If you are interested contact Pastor Garmon.