Baptism

Baptism is a symbol of the birth of a Christian’s personal relationship with God. This relationship is a Covenant which has been sealed in our hearts by the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 1:13). Baptism is an intentionally public way that Christians proclaim their faith in the saving work of Jesus Christ and declare their total allegiance, union and submission to Him to all creation. It’s an outward sign of an inward belief.

In the act of baptism, those who have placed their faith in Christ experience the spiritual reality of that decision: of dying, being buried (experienced through full immersion under the water) and being raised up into new spiritual life in Jesus (Romans 6:4-5). It tells the story of a believer’s spiritual transformation, initiated by their belief in Christ.

Baptism also is a blessing to the Christian by giving them a memorable reminder that, “just as he or she is raised up from the waters of baptism, so certainly shall the bodies of the Saints be raised by the power of Christ, in the day of the resurrection" (Lumpkin, Baptist Confession of Faith 1969). Baptism provides an assurance to the believer that Christ will raise them from the dead and bring them into eternal life with Him.