Baptism

Though other denominations and theological traditions baptize by pouring or sprinkling, our church practices baptism by immersion. We do so in light of the following considerations:

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1. The Greek word βαπτίζω (baptizo) literally means to plunge, submerge or immerse.

 

Our English word baptism is a transliteration of the Greek baptizo. Baptizo was used in Greek literature to describe the act of immersing something in water or another liquid. It later became a technical term that referred specifically to the Christian ordinance of baptism.

 

2. The representation of union in Christ’s death and resurrection is best expressed through immersion.

 

Whether buried below or above ground, the symbolism of burial is still that of being placed under something.

 

Likewise, resurrection is accomplished by coming out of something (whether grave or tomb). Immersion best symbolizes this reality by actually placing the believer under the water and bringing them out.

 

In addition, it is interesting to note the use of water to symbolize judgment in the Scriptures (e.g. the flood of Genesis 6-7 and the destruction of Egypt in the Red Sea of Exodus 14). Thus, by passing through the waters of baptism, the believer expresses trust that God’s judgment has been satisfied by Christ.

 

COLOSSIANS 2:12 having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead.

 

ROMANS 6:3–4 Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4 We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.

 

3. The surrounding context of baptisms in the Scriptures suggests baptism by immersion.

 

MATTHEW 3:16 And when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him…

 

MARK 1:5,10 And all the country of Judea and all Jerusalem were going out to him and were being baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins…And when he came up out of the water, immediately he saw the heavens being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove.

 

JOHN 3:23 John also was baptizing at Aenon near Salim, because water was plentiful there, and people were coming and being baptized…

 

ACTS 8:38–39 And he commanded the chariot to stop, and they both went down into the water, Philip and the eunuch, and he baptized him. 39And when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord carried Philip away, and the eunuch saw him no more, and went on his way rejoicing.

 

 

WHERE SHOULD A PERSON BE BAPTIZED?

Although there are no prescriptions in the Scriptures to location, we prefer to practice the ordinance of baptism within the context of the gathering of the local church in order to allow the congregation to affirm and celebrate together in a person’s act of obedience and submission.

 

 

BAPTISM AND MEMBERSHIP

At our church we believe that baptism and church membership go hand in hand. Baptism is a way that the covenant members of the church affirm your faith in Christ and recognize you as a part of the body. Because of this we will only baptize those who in the same step desire to enter into membership with our local church. In that way we make sure that we are caring for and watching over those who we affirm as part of the body of Christ.

 

When it comes to church membership we also encourage anyone wishing to join the church to have displayed obedience to Christ’s command to be baptized following their conversion. Once baptism is complete the Next Step is to complete the membership process to formally join the church as a covenant member.

 

 

HOW WE BAPTIZE AT OUR CHURCH

1. Typically baptisms take place as a part of our Sunday morning worship services. This allows the church and our family and friends to be able to witness and rejoice in the work God has done in your life together. We encourage those wishing to be baptized to do so within the context of these gatherings.

 

2. Prior to baptism, participants are asked to complete the “Baptism Class”, a “Baptism Interview” and then record their personal testimony on video to show before the baptism. For guidelines in writing your testimony see Session #7. “What Happens Next” and the section “Sharing Your Personal Testimony”

 

3. After the testimony is shown to the congregation, the person performing the baptism will ask, “Do you confess and believe Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior?” to which the baptizee will respond, “Yes” or “I do.”

 

4. The baptizer will then immerse and subsequently raise the baptizee out of the water while saying, “I baptize you, my (brother or sister) in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.” [Some will choose to also say, “Buried with Christ in the likeness of His death. Raised to walk in newness of life!” This is taken from Romans 6:4 We were buried therefore with Him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.]

 

HELPFUL HINTS:

1. Wear dark shorts and a dark shirt or a shirt provided by the church.

2. Come to church dressed in what you will wear to be baptized

3. Bring a change of clothes, towel and bag to hold your wet clothes after you change.

4. Don’t try and change right before the baptism service begins.