What Is Baptism?
In Matthew 28 Jesus commanded: ‘go and make disciples’ Now, this is the mission of God’s people: make disciples who make disciples. But there’s also a connection to baptism here, Jesus told us to baptize disciples and teach them to obey Him. The shortest answer to why we baptize is: Jesus told us to. And who should we baptize? Again, a simple answer: disciples! Jesus said to make disciples and baptize *them* In order to obey Jesus, we must figure out what Baptism is:
we believe baptism is best signified by the immersion of a disciple into water in the Name of the Father, Son and Spirit.
There is nothing special about the water or anything surrounding the act. Here are a few truths we believe it proclaims: our connection to and obedience of Jesus, our allegiance to Jesus as King and our faith in Christ.
The GOSPEL made Visible and Tangible
REMOVAL OF SIN & UNION WITH CHRIST
Baptism points to the cleansing in a believer’s life when he/she trusts in Jesus. Only the blood of Christ can truly wash away sin and the guilt of it, but we see the symbolism of it in the washing of water through baptism. Similarly, when someone is lowered into the water and brought back up, we see the symbolism of our union with Jesus in His death and resurrection. The Bible clearly affirms that those who trust in Jesus are united to Him! (Romans 6:3-4, Col 2:12)
THERE IS A REAL DEATH SYMBOLIZED
The death symbolized when we are lowered into the waters of baptism is a death to the old self, the old ways of life and the old master: self. We see it in the life of Paul, who joyfully considered himself dead to the old way of life. Paul was responding to the gospel, Jesus giving His life for Paul! (Galatians 2:20, 2 Corinthians 5:14-15)
THERE IS A NEW WAY OF LIFE AHEAD
Walking in newness of life means there is a difference in how we live. We no longer follow the ways of the culture, we are made new in Christ and we act and think differently. As new creations we recognize that we strive to walk in newness of life, living our lives differently. Colossians 3:1-4 explains the change.
BAPTISM DOES NOT SAVE ANYONE
The free grace of the gospel would be destroyed if there was something we had to do in order to be saved. The only thing necessary for salvation is faith ALONE in Jesus Christ ALONE, not any outward action or even spiritual activity. (1 Peter 3:21) Baptism is an outward symbol of the inward reality that has already happened by faith.
WHY CONSIDER BAPTISM?
Jesus commanded us to make disciples and baptize *them* Baptism is reserved for those who have placed their trust in Jesus, who are resting in Him and identify themselves as dead to the old way of life and obedient to King Jesus. If that is you and you have not yet obeyed Jesus by publicly identifying with Him the question is: why not? If you have given your life to Christ, but have not been baptized, we encourage you to obey God in this way and want to celebrate with you!