More About Baptism
Since the beginning of the church, Christians have practiced baptism. Its purpose and meaning, however, often spark debate among different religious traditions. We believe immersion in the name of Jesus is essential for salvation and serves as a direct response to the gospel message. Baptism reflects obedience, demonstrates faith, and marks the moment when God forgives a person’s sins (Acts 2:38).
Different groups interpret baptism in various ways. Some view it as purely symbolic, representing an inward change that already took place. Others regard it as optional or unnecessary for salvation. We teach that immersion is both symbolic and transformative. Symbolically, it represents the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ (Romans 6:3-4). Transformatively, it unites believers with Christ and washes away sin (Acts 22:16).
Some traditions practice infant baptism, but we teach immersion for individuals who understand and believe in Jesus as Lord and Savior (Mark 16:16). Faith and repentance must come first, as baptism results from a conscious decision to follow Christ.
Baptism is much more than a ritual. It is a profound act of obedience to God’s will. Jesus commanded His followers to “go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them…” (Matthew 28:19). Water immersion is a vital part of discipleship. In baptism, we die to sin, bury the old self, and rise to walk in newness of life, fully cleansed and committed to God (Romans 6:4).
If you feel confused about baptism due to the many different teachings, study what the Scriptures say. Begin with the articles below, but most importantly, read the Bible for yourself and follow its truth. We should all imitate the ancient Bereans who listened to what Paul had to say and compared his message with the Scriptures (see Acts 17:11). Don’t just take our word for it. Study this matter out for yourself!
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