Baptism
When can I get baptized?
Contact Pastor Israel if you’re interested: israel@pointchurch.net .
What is ‘baptism’?
Baptism is the washing with water that signifies a person’s commitment to follow Christ. Jesus describes it as one of the most important and distinctive acts Christians should practice. In the Great Commission he said, ‘Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you’ (Matthew 28:19). The early church followed Jesus’ instructions diligently. That’s why the Apostle Peter instructed the people ‘Repent and be baptized’ when they asked what they should do to be saved (Act 2:38). Likewise, the Apostle Paul tied baptism into the very heart of Christian experience. He wrote in the letter to the Romans that in baptism the Christian becomes joined mysteriously and powerfully with Christ in his death and resurrection: ‘Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ weas raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life’ (Romans 6:3-4). Each Christian, therefore, can walk in freedom from sin and the glorious reality of Christ’s righteousness.
I have never been baptized, but I have believed in Jesus for years. Must I be baptized now?
Yes. Baptism is an act of obedience. To not be baptized is, therefore, sin. Baptism need not be a big spectacle, but each Christian should enjoy its blessing.
Does baptism wash away my sins?
No. The Apostle Peter clearly refuted this idea. He wrote: ‘…and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also–not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a good conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ’ (1 Peter 3:21). The act of baptism has no saving power. It is just water. The power comes from the faith that lies behind the act. That is why Peter could tell the people in Acts 2:38 to ‘repent and be baptized for the forgiveness of sins’. Faith alone by grace alone, expressed through obedience, saves us from our sins (Galatians 2:8-9). It is the blood of Christ that washed our sins away.
Do you baptize babies at your church?
No. Since baptism required a conscious act of commitment to Christ, we only baptize people who have expressed personal faith in Jesus Christ death and resurrection. This is called ‘believer’s baptism.’ We do, however, embrace the value of publicly dedicating babies to the Lord.
Then what happens to babies when they die?
Only God truly knows what happens in those tragic situations. But the Scriptures suggest that babies who die go to heaven. After his young son died, King David remarked, ‘Can I bring him back again? I will go to him, but he will not return to me’ (2 Samuel 12:23). David knew that he would live forever with God in heaven, so he must have meant that he would meet his son in heaven.
I was baptized as a baby/child but I have only recently believed in Christ for salvation. Should I be baptized again?
Yes. This is a sensitive situation, though, since family and friends who embrace the efficacy of infant baptism may be deeply offended. In this light, we advise that you carefully study what the Bible says about baptism and make your decision to be baptized from a deep-seated understanding of God’s Word in the matter. Then, you should explain your convictions to your family and friends with great gentleness and with much prayer. We believe that in this case believer’s baptism is not a ‘re-baptism.’ Rather, we believe that infant baptism is not a legitimate baptism at all. Thus, believer’s baptism is really the first act of biblical baptism.