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What We Believe About Believer’s Baptism

MLEFC

Why should I be baptized?

Because you want to follow Christ's example: "In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. And when he came up out of the water, immediately he saw the heavens being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove." - Mark 1:9-10

Because Christ commanded it: - “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”- Matthew 28:19-20

Because obeying Christ's command shows you know Him: “And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments.”- 1 John 2:3

What is the meaning of baptism?

It is a symbol of Christ's burial and resurrection: “For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures…” - 1 Corinthians 15:3-4

It is also a symbol of your new life as a Christian: “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” - 2 Corinthians 5:17

Baptism does not make you a believer; it shows that you already are one. “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast." - Ephesians 2:8-9

How are we to be baptized?

Immersion
We believe Jesus was baptized by immersion in water. "And when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him…”- Matthew 3:16

The believer’s baptism
We believe it is a consistent pattern in scripture that a person embraces Christ by grace through faith, and then they are baptized.
The Greek word “baptizo" literally means, "to immerse or dip under water." It is the best way to picture a burial and resurrection.

Who should be baptized?

Every person who has made a decision to believe in Christ should be baptized. “So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls. - Acts 2:41

What about children? The two key elements in being born again are repentance and belief in Christ! We do not baptize children until they are old enough to repent and believe. It is important for the parents to have confidence that their child understands what it means to be saved/baptized. There is no need to rush your child to be baptized if you are unsure about their salvation.

With that said, we certainly do believe it is possible for a young child to know and embrace Christ by faith. “At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them and said, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” - Matthew 18:1-4

When are we to be baptized?

Immediately after you are saved: And the eunuch said to Philip, “About whom, I ask you, does the prophet say this, about himself or about someone else?” Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning with this Scripture he told him the good news about Jesus. And as they were going along the road they came to some water, and the eunuch said, “See, here is water! What prevents me from being baptized?” And he commanded the chariot to stop, and they both went down into the water, Philip and the eunuch, and he baptized him.” Acts 8:34-40

We believe it is not a necessary, nor is it a pattern taught in scripture, to wait until spiritual “maturity” at a later point to be baptized.

Can my family be baptized together?

If the entire family has embraced Christ by faith, then we consider it a beautiful testimony to the world for the entire family to be baptized together.