What is Baptism?

Baptism has been commanded as a vital step of making disciples of Christ in our broken world (Matthew 18:19-20). But baptism has also been much-misunderstood. We’ll go over this in our baptism class, but for your information, here is what we at CCC believe about baptism:

I. What Baptism Is Not.

A. Baptism is not part of the Gospel.

…Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel… (1 Corinthians 1:17)

The most common mistake concerning baptism is that the waters of baptism somehow wash away sin. More than one world religion find the physical washing of the body with water to accomplish some spiritual cleansing of the heart. Jesus was clear that this is not the case. It is the heart that needs cleansed from inside of man and it is only the blood of Christ that can do that (1 John 1:7-9)

B. Baptism does not make one a Christian.

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith — and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God — not by works, so that no one can boast. (Ephesians 2:8-9)

There is no ritual that makes one a Christian. Christian means “little Christ”. A person receives the Spirit of Christ through the new birth as a result of faith in the person and work of Christ. Faith is the means of entering Christ. Not a ritual. Consider the thief on the cross as an example who received eternal life through simple faith in Christ apart from any works or rituals.

II. What Baptism Is.

A. Baptism is an ordinance which has served as the door to the local church.

Jesus ordered his apostles to baptize those who believe. In Acts 2:41-42 we see that they were obedient to this. This is the first order that these new believers were asked to obey. Baptism, thus, served as the door into the local assembly. The second ordinance is called the Lord’s Supper and is an ongoing act of obedience and fellowship of the gathered church. These two ordinances were given to us by Christ to be pictures of the gospel.

B. Baptism is an act of obedience.

Jesus 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. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:18-20)

Baptism [is]…the pledge of a good conscience toward God. (1 Peter 3:21)

We believe that the Bible teaches believer’s baptism. That is, baptism is for those who believe. It is not possible to believe for someone else, not even a child. For this reason baptism is a declaration of faith and submission to Christ of the person being baptized. Baptism shows the Lordship of Jesus Christ in the life of the person being baptized.

C. Baptism is a physical symbol of a spiritual reality.

We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. (Romans 6:4)

When we go down into the water we are showing our own death with Christ. When we are raised from the water we are showing how God raised us to a new life in Christ. The mode of immersion for this reason is important.