We are excited that you have decided to consider accepting Jesus Christ
as your Lord and Savior. We want you to know that we are here to help you
with every step of this important decision. Baptism is definitely a
subject that has been readily debated over the years. Depending on whom you
ask you will hear countless numbers of different traditions, teachings and
opinions about the subject of baptism. Even though there are multiple
opinions, there is only one truth that really matters—the truth revealed in
the Bible. In an ongoing effort to remain true to Scripture and to help your
understanding of Baptism, we encourage you to read carefully the following
statements that explain our understanding of the Biblical view of baptism.
Who should be baptized?
All believers are candidates for baptism. Christ said, “Whoever believes and
is baptized will be saved” (Mark 16:16). Anyone who is willing to repent of
their sins, and confess their belief in Jesus, should be baptized. (Matthew
28:19, Acts 2:38-39)
How should I be baptized?
Immersion was the only form of Baptism in the beginning. The Bible uses the
Greek word baptizo, which means to plunge, sink, drench, overwhelm, dip or
immerse. Never does this word refer to sprinkling or pouring. Romans 6
speaks of our death, burial and resurrection. It is this drama that
immersion enacts.
When should we be
baptized?
A person should be baptized at the time he or she trusts in Christ. The
Bible teaches we are saved by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8), moreover
in the New Testament church, a person’s baptism was always the first
expression of faith, not separate from it. So baptism was not just a
memorial of faith, but was intended to offer a means of union with Christ
and a benchmark of transformation, marking the place and time a person made
a commitment to Christ (Romans 6:1-8). At The Creek we ask a person to be
baptized at the point that he or she is ready to make a commitment to
Christ.
What Baptism is not...
A work by which one earns his salvation. The Bible does not
teach us that baptism saves us alone.
A meaningless sign that can be done away with. Some who see that you cannot
save yourself from just baptism dismiss it completely.
A requirement for membership in some church, which is otherwise for all
practical purposes irrelevant to one’s being in Christ.
Scriptures Concerning
Baptism...
Baptism is for the forgiveness of sins.
(Acts 2:38)
Baptism is an appeal for a clear conscience.
(1 Peter 3:20,21)
Baptism is the means of uniting with or putting on
Christ.
(Galatians 3:27, Romans 6:3-5)
Baptism is an agent of one’s being born again.
(John
3:5, Romans 6:4, Titus 3:5)
Baptism is associated with receiving the Holy Spirit.
(Matthew 3:13-17, John 3:5, Titus 3:5, 1 Corinthians
12:13)
Baptism is the burial of one’s past and resurrection
into a new life.
(Romans 6:1-11)
Baptism points not only to Christ’s death
but to ours as well. As Christ rose
from the grave to live forever, so shall we.
Baptism follows immediately upon one’s acceptance of
the Gospel and the making known of their desire to accept Jesus Christ as
their personal Savior.
(Acts 2:38; 2:41; 8:12, 36-38; 9:18; 10:48; 16:15,33;
18:8; 19:5; 22:16)
The Lord told His church to go throughout the world
making disciples; teaching and baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son
and the Holy Spirit.
(Matthew 28:18-20)
