What About Biblical Baptism?

At worship services, you will witness baptisms. Because of the regular visual exposure baptisms receive, I am often asked about its importance. I hope that this brochure answers some of your questions about Baptism. Total immersion is baptism as taught in the Bible. Baptism pictures for the believer the reality of one's death to the old life, and one's resurrection to new life in Christ. The physical act of going under the water and coming up again is an outward visible testimony of one's faith in God. Now the question... Is it really important? The answer is YES! The Lord commands it and not to do it is to be disobedient. For a believer, this is not an option. We have no right to say no. The Bible teaches that once a person HEARS the Gospel, BELIEVES it, REPENTS of sin and CONFESSES Christ, the next step is baptism by immersion. If you are a believer who has not been immersed, we would welcome the opportunity to share in your baptism. Jesus gave us the example and we must follow! Sincerely, Ross Pepper

How Was Christian Baptism Performed?

Bible baptism is immersion.
Matthew 3:16, Acts 8:26-39, John 3:23

Jesus was immersed.
Matthew 3:13-16

Even scholars from churches which accept other modes than immersion will concede that immersion was original and that sprinkling and pouring were the concessions of man. It was never authorized or practiced by the Apostles or Christ.

Every denomination, Protestant and Catholic, will accept immersion as valid Christian baptism.

Other forms did not come into practice until much later. It was not until 1311 AD that pouring or sprinkling were accepted as forms of baptism. No Biblical statement can be cited to grant any person or church the right to alter apostolic practice with regard to baptism. The true meaning of baptism cannot be visualized or portrayed in any form other than immersion.

Who Is A Proper Candidate For Baptism?

Those who hear the gospel. Acts 18:8
Those who believe in Christ. Mark 16:16
Those who repent of sin. Acts 2:38.
Those who confess Christ with their mouths. Romans 10:9
Thus infants are not proper subjects for baptism.

What Christian Baptism Is

Christian baptism is immersion in water in submission to the authority of Jesus Christ. It is an act of obedience which commits one to a life of obedience.
Christian baptism is a command to be obeyed. Matthew 28:18-20
Christian baptism symbolizes the new birth by which one becomes a new
creature in Christ. In symbolizes the beginning of the new life. John 3:1-4;
1 Peter 3:21; Corinthians 5:17
Christian baptism is the act which initiates the Christian into fellowship.
Acts 2:36-41; 1 Corinthians 12:13
Christian baptism symbolizes the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus and also of the Christian, the new convert. Romans 6:3-10; Colossians 2:12

What Christian Baptism Is Not

It is not a guarantee of heaven. If there is no faith and repentance, water baptism is invalid.
It is not proof to a congregation of the genuineness of a convert's faith. It is only proof to God who knows the heart and motives of the person.

Why Should A Person Be Baptized?

He is commanded to, by his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Matthew 28:18-20
It is the appeal to God for a clean conscience. 1 Peter 3:21
To demonstrate openly his obedience and his willingness to come under the lordship of Christ. 1 John 2:4
Jesus was baptized himself to "fulfill all righteousness." Matthew 3:15
We have no grounds on which to claim exemption from any divine requirement.
Obedience resulting from love is our main motive.

If You Would Like To Be Batpized...

Call a minister and set an appointment. Baptisms can be arranged for any Saturday or Sunday service or during the week. Give us a call today.

Some Key Questions and Answers About Baptism

Q. Can a person be a Christian and not be baptized?
A. To say "yes" is to say more than the Bible says Mark 16:16. To say "no" is to presume to be God. Once a person has said "yes" to Jesus as Savior AND Lord, he has forfeited all rights to say "no" to any of Christ's commands. Baptism is one of these commands.

Q. Why do we require a person to be a baptized believer in order to be a member of First Christian?
A. Because in all the Biblical examples we have, this was the pattern of the early church. We do not believe that we would be following the Scripture if we allowed less than that.

Q. How soon should a person be baptized once he has received Christ?
A. The pattern in Acts was "immediately".

If you have any additional questions, please contact someone from the church staff. We would be happy to talk with you.