What We Believe About Baptism
If you are trusting in Christ alone as the sole basis for your forgiveness of sins and a new life, then you are ready to respond to Christ’s command to be baptized. Just like a bride and groom show others their love for one another by wearing wedding bands, your baptism is your opportunity to show others that you have trusted Christ and are committed to following Him the best you know how.
You do not have to be baptized to be a believer in Jesus Christ, any more than you must exchange rings to be pronounced man and wife. But if you have trusted Christ, then the outward symbol of baptism should be as valued and as visible as the gold ring on a newlywed’s finger. Baptism does not make you a believer in Christ, rather it shows that you already believe.If you have questions about how to begin a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, please contact us.
Baptism is an outward sign of an inward reality of the new life of Christ that has come to us by faith, based upon the finished work of Jesus Christ. In Romans 6:1-11 the apostle Paul explains how the immersion mode of baptism identifies the believer with the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Going under the water represents Christ’s death, and coming out of the water illustrates His resurrection. So when you are baptized, you are publicly identifying yourself with Jesus’ death and resurrection.
We recognize that other churches and denominations choose to practice infant baptism. We understand that the Bible teaches that only individuals who have trusted Christ as their Savior qualify for baptism. In the Bible we find parents bringing their children to Jesus. He held them and prayed for them, and told us to welcome them. He did not baptize them.
If you were baptized as a child, it was due to your parents’ intent that one day you come to faith. Your baptism as an adult believer in Jesus Christ can be seen as the fulfillment of your parents’ desire. Your believer’s baptism in no way diminishes the intent of your parents who baptized you as an infant.
