Baptism

Baptism is the public declaration of a believer's identification with the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. It is commanded by Christ and practiced throughout the New Testament.

Jesus commanded baptism in Matthew 28:19: "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit." Acts 2:38 records Peter's instruction: "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit." Romans 6:4 explains the meaning: "Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life." Baptism is an outward act that pictures the inward reality of salvation — death to the old life and resurrection to new life in Christ.

Baptism is an act of obedience that publicly identifies a believer with Jesus Christ and His church. It does not save, but it is the expected response of one who has believed. Through baptism, believers declare to the world that their old life has been buried and they have been raised to walk in newness of life.