Baptism
What is baptism?
Every time a person enters into a new life with Jesus Christ, the Bible tells us that all of heaven rejoices. Baptism is an outward proclamation of an inward reality that God has created new life within that person. Baptism is the new believer’s testimony to the public of his belonging to Jesus.
As you are immersed beneath the waters, you are proclaiming that your old self, enslaved to unbelief and sin, has died. And as you, the believer, is raised up out of the waters, you are proclaiming that your new self, freed from sin and death, has been raised in the resurrection of Jesus. You are proclaiming that you now belong to Jesus.
"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." — Romans 6:4
Why do we baptize?
We baptize because Jesus modeled it himself and made it part of His ministry and part of our mission. Simply put, we baptize because Jesus commanded us to; however, there is also purpose and wisdom in that command. Baptism provides a decisive, public way of taking a stand that Jesus has saved you, that you’re crazy about Him, and that you’re going to follow Him all the days of your life.
Essentially, you are publicly proclaiming three things in Baptism: To God: Thank You for saving me. I’m Yours. Help me to live a life that shows Jesus to the world. To Believers: Celebrate with me! Jesus has saved me! Remember when He saved you? Encourage me, help me, and keep me accountable to following Jesus. To Unbelievers: I want you to know the Jesus that I know. If you see any change in my life, if you see anything good in my life, it’s not me- it’s Him! He wants you to know Him.
"Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age." — Matthew 28:19–20
Who should be baptized?
Baptism is an outward proclamation of faith, and is therefore only for believers. Our understanding of the Bible is that every baptism in the New Testament was preceded by confession of sin and repentance, which is something that neither an unbeliever nor an infant can do. Because baptism represents a union with the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus, we believe only in baptism of believers.
"For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ." — Galatians 3:27