Baptism

Baptism is one of the central practices of the Christian faith. At its core, it is an outward act that symbolizes an inward transformation—a public declaration of a person’s faith in Jesus Christ and their decision to follow Him.

In the Bible, baptism is described as a holy ordinance given by Jesus Himself (Matthew 28:19–20). It is typically performed with immersion in water.

Symbol of cleansing: Water represents the washing away of sin through the grace of God.

Identification with Christ: Going under the water symbolizes Christ’s death and burial, and coming up out of the water symbolizes His resurrection. This reflects the believer’s new life in Him (Romans 6:3–4).

Public profession of faith: Baptism is a way of declaring before others, “I belong to Christ.” It marks entry into the community of believers—the church.

Obedience to Jesus’ command: Baptism does not save by itself, but it is an act of obedience for those who have received salvation through faith in Christ.

At its heart, baptism is both deeply personal and beautifully communal. It is a moment of joy, faith, and commitment, where the believer publicly embraces the grace of God and the hope of eternal life in Christ.

1. Salvation Comes Through Faith in Christ

The Bible clearly teaches that we are saved by God’s grace through faith, not by works or rituals.

Ephesians 2:8–9 — “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.”
This means baptism, while very important, is not what saves us—Jesus’ death and resurrection are what save.

2. Baptism as a Step of Obedience

Jesus commanded baptism (Matthew 28:19), and the early church practiced it immediately after conversion (Acts 2:38, Acts 8:36–38). Baptism is the outward sign of an inward faith—it shows that a person has repented, believed, and now identifies with Christ. Refusing baptism without reason could reveal a heart unwilling to obey, which is spiritually concerning.

3. Biblical Examples

Thief on the cross (Luke 23:42–43): He was never baptized, yet Jesus told him, “Today you will be with me in paradise.” His faith saved him, not baptism.

Early church believers: When people believed in Christ, baptism followed quickly. It was never viewed as optional, but as a natural next step.

4. Why Some Believe It’s Required

Some Christian traditions (like parts of the Church of Christ or Catholic teaching) emphasize baptism as essential for salvation, often pointing to verses like Mark 16:16 (“Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved…”) and Acts 2:38 (“Repent and be baptized…for the forgiveness of your sins”). These passages stress how closely faith and baptism were connected in the early church.

5. A Balanced Understanding

Baptism does not save apart from faith.

Baptism is a command of Jesus and a beautiful, powerful act of obedience.

A genuine believer should desire baptism as part of following Christ.

You are saved by faith in Jesus Christ alone. Baptism is not the cause of salvation but the evidence and public declaration of it.

What the Bible Emphasizes

Scripture always connects baptism with personal repentance and faith (Acts 2:38, Acts 8:36–38, Romans 6:3–4). This is why many churches encourage people who were baptized as infants to be baptized again after salvation, not because the first ceremony was meaningless, but because baptism is meant to be your own confession of faith.

In some denominations, infant christening represents a decision made by parents to dedicate their child to Christ, much like the Baby Dedications celebrated in churches. However, this is not the same as the believer’s baptism that Jesus instructed, which reflects the acceptance of salvation and new life in Christ.

You will need to meet with the Pastor and he will answer your questions and set a date. We encourage you to invite all of your family and friends to share in this life changing decision and your call to obedience.