Ordination #2, Art. 7a: "Baptism"

Baptism is an initiatory rite that Jesus commands (Matt. 28.19) and is a step of obedience that identifies the believer with Jesus (Acts 2.38). It was practiced throughout the NT churches from Pentecost forward (Acts 2.38; 8.12; 9.18; 10.47; 16.14-15; 18.8; 19.5). Since salvation is by faith alone and not by works (Eph. 2.8-9), it is clear baptism does not save. Passages like Acts 2.38 are best explained by the fact that baptism is the outward expression of the inner reality of faith. An unbaptized Christian should sound as odd as a physically uncircumcised Jew. The evidence indicates that baptism by immersion is the preferred mode based on the meaning of the word baptizo (dip, immerse), that Jesus came “out of” the water when baptized (Mk. 1.10), the Ethiopian eunuch requested baptism upon seeing a sufficient body of water for baptism (Acts 8.38-39), and it is the best picture of the symbolism of dying to self and being raised through faith in Christ (Col. 2.12). Since it is a symbol of what has happened in the believer’s life (Col. 2.12; Acts 22.16), the NT indicates baptism followed a profession of faith (Acts 2.41; 8.12).