Baptism: What and Why?

by Dan Eckley

Along with communion, baptism is one of the two great ordinances that the Lord Jesus Christ gave His church. One phrase in the Great Commission Jesus gave was “baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.” (Matthew 28:19)

Baptism of believers has very special significance in the church as a testimony of God’s work in people’s lives and as blessed edification for the church family.

Does baptism save a person?

We practice believer’s baptism. Baptism does not save a person. Baptism does not complete one’s salvation. Baptism does not make you a member of the church. Baptism is a proclamation to the church and the world that one has placed his or her faith in the Lord Jesus. It is an outward symbol of an inward happening. There is great symbolism in baptism as going under the water represents our dying from our old life just as Christ died for us and coming out of the water represents our rising again to new life, being born again of the Spirit just as Jesus was raised from the dead! (Romans 6:3-11)

Do we baptize babies?

Because we practice believer’s baptism, we do not baptize infants. The pattern in the New Testament was that those who professed faith in Christ were baptized. (Acts 2:41; Acts 8:12; Acts 10:44-48) Obviously, a baby or very young child cannot profess faith. Therefore, we practice a parent/child dedication ceremony which involves parents being dedicated to raising their children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord and our church family committing to assist the families in that effort.  Our great hope and prayer is that God will use that process in such a way that those children will ultimately place their faith in Jesus and be baptized.

Do we sprinkle or immerse?

The Greek word “baptize” means to plunge, dip, or immerse something in water. Therefore, we practice baptism by immersion in a baptismal, pool, lake or some other body of water. For someone very aged or disabled, we would use the method of sprinkling as a necessary alternative, but otherwise we practice full immersion and rejoice in its symbolism.

Should I be baptized?

If you have put your faith in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord of your life but have never been baptized as a believer, then you should follow the New Testament command to be baptized as an affirmation of your faith. Baptism is a symbol of beginning the Christian life. Some people were baptized as infants when they had no faith or understanding. After placing their trust in Christ as young people or adults, they should then participate in a believer’s baptism. (Matthew 28:19; Acts 2:38, 8:12; 16:13, 33)

Save the thief on the cross, the New Testament knows nothing of an unbaptized believer. We encourage all true believers to be baptized in obedience to Christ!