If you want to be baptized at New Beginnings Church it is important that you know what the bible teaches about baptism. There have been some disagreements about baptism and I have written this NOTE to clear up any misunderstanding. The rest of this NOTE, can be divided up into 3 sections:
2) Simple Q & A about Baptism
3) A Doctrinal Position Paper About Baptism by Phil Sallee
1) What do I need to know about being baptized?
You will need to bring a swimsuit, a white t-shirt and a towel. We will give you a white robe to put over that - but you will want to feel comfortable when you are wet. You should read the Simple Q & A and The Doctrinal Position Paperbelow so that you can understand the purpose of baptism. If you still have questions after reading this please ask them. I'll do my best to answer.
2) Simple Q & A about Baptism
1. What is baptism?
2. What does baptism mean?
3. Why do we get baptized?
4. When is a good time to get baptized?
3) A Doctrinal Position Paper About Baptism
The church should desire to be obedient to Christ's command. He commanded that we be baptized. However, before we can fulfill the command as Christ originally intended, we must come to an understanding of why we are to be baptized and how we are to be baptized. The following topics of focus will be addressed in this doctrinal statement:
2) The Practice of Baptism - the following questions will be answered in an effort to develop sound doctrine concerning how we are to be baptized. Is baptizing infants or children mandated biblically? Which mode of baptism: sprinkling, pouring, or immersion should be administered?
The following questions will be answered in an effort to develop sound doctrine concerning why we are to be baptized: What is the difference between baptism as a sacrament and baptism as an ordinance? What does the ordinance of baptism signify? What spiritual benefits are conveyed when one is baptized?
Sacraments are viewed by Roman Catholics, as instituted by Christ and necessary for salvation. They posit that baptism remits the guilt of prior sins, removes the pollution of sin but not sexual lust, delivers from eternal punishment, and regenerates through the infusion of grace.
Presbyterians and Reformed see baptism as sacraments which are signs and seals of the covenant of grace that mediate spiritual benefits when received in faith. They see baptism as fulfilling the Old Testament rite of circumcision thus expressing initiation into the faith and church as did circumcision for Jews. Anglicans and Episcopalians also hold to a view of baptismal regeneration as well.
There are several passages used to attempt to prove that baptism is necessary to salvation. In Mark 16:16, Jesus tells his disciples: "Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned." Another verse is John 3:5, when Jesus tell Nicodemus, "I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit." A similar statement is made by the Apostle Paul in Titus 3:5, when he said, "he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit," Then there is Peter's statement recorded in Acts 2:38, Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit." Ananaias exhorted Saul in Acts 22:16, "And now what are you waiting for? Get up, be baptized and wash your sins away, calling on his name."
To make baptism a condition of salvation is to make the New Testament a fundamentally self-contradictory book. This would be an inconsistency into the very heart of the doctrine of salvation. This is evident if we look at the numerous passages in the New Testament that teach that the only conditions for salvation are repentance and faith. To make salvation dependant on any outward ceremony or act is to destroy the nature of Christianity as spiritual, and make God the "grand master of red tape." The following passages make it clear that God does not arbitrarily make any conditions for salvation, but rather provides justification through faith alone.
Acts 13:38 "Therefore, my brothers, I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you.
Rom. 1:16 I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.
Eph. 2:8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith --and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God --
Baptism is a symbolic act that pictures Christ's death, burial, and resurrection. A new Christian follows Christ example in symbolizing his/her own death to sin, burial, and resurrection to a new life as a believer. Col. 2:12 Says, "having been buried with him in baptism and raised with him through your faith in the power of God, who raised him from the dead."
The following questions will be answered in an effort to develop sound doctrine concerning how we are to be baptized. Is baptizing infants or children mandated biblically? & Which mode of baptism: sprinkling, pouring, or immersion should be administered?
Is baptizing infants or children mandated Biblically? If one holds to a view of sacramental salvation then it makes sense that parents would want their children regenerated in baptism. Infant baptism is defended on the grounds of new Testament examples of "household baptism." The Apostle Paul and the Philippian jailer (Acts 16:32-34), the Apostle Paul and Stephanus (1 Cor. 16:15), and Peter and the whole house of Cornelius are examples of passages which proponents use to defend their infant child/baptism practice. However, the existence of any children what ever their again these passages is only inferred.
The true New Testament church is a soul-winning, baptizing, teaching, preaching, evangelistic institution and the baptized believer is now a part of that great, missionary, world-wide ministry. We are united by the Spirit in the worship of God in praise, in thanksgiving, in prayer, and in the diffusion of the saving message of Christ to every person. We are joined together in the body of the Lord for instruction, for spiritual growth, and for mutual helpfulness. It is a great, glorious, mighty, significant day when we are baptized into the body of Christ, the bride and church of our Lord!
