Baptism and Baptists

Our name indicates that Baptism is very important to us. Every member of our church has experienced at least two spiritual events:

1. They have believed and received Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior. (John 1:12)
2. They have announced their belief through believers’ baptism by immersion.

All our members have been baptized by immersion because that is what the Bible teaches.

Our baptism is different from infant baptism or confirmation baptism.

We practice believers’ baptism. This means that first, you believe, then you are baptized.

We do this because that was always the order in the New Testament.

First, they believed and then they were baptized.

1. Why does our church require people to be baptized to join?
   The Lord Jesus commands His followers to be baptized. As such, it is a matter of obedience and is deeply connected to salvation.
2. Does Baptism save?
   No. In and of itself, baptism has no power to save. People can make a sincere commitment to Christ and be saved without being baptized (health reasons; death; etc.), but those who are truly saved will want to follow the Lord in believer’s baptism. First Baptist does not accept baptism from “churches” that teach that baptism saves. As such, this is not biblical and is not true believer’s baptism. Though every true believer should be baptized, such an act will not in itself save anyone. Salvation is an unmerited gift of grace from God. Our works cannot erase our sin. Any human effort to remove sin, even though something as important as baptism, would become works-based salvation. The scripture is clear on this. “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9)
3. Why does our church require baptism by immersion?
   For two reasons. First, the Greek word of baptism used in the original text of the Bible literally means to immerse, dip, or plunge under water. Secondly, only immersion clearly depicts Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection. Scripture teaches that baptism bears witness to this as the believer is ‘buried’ in the waters and ‘rises’ again from them. Any other mode of baptism fails to illustrate this, and as such, fails to follow the biblical model.
4. Who can be baptized?
   The Bible clearly teaches that baptism follows a personal commitment to Jesus Christ. This precludes the baptism of babies, since they are unable to make a conscious choice to follow Jesus Christ.
5. How do I schedule my baptism?
   Baptisms are scheduled as needed. Visit with the pastor to set a date and to go over the basics of baptism.