What Is Baptism?

1. What is Baptism?

Baptism is an act of obedience ordained by Jesus Christ, undertaken in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit (Matthew 28: 19). It symbolises repentance towards God, faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and identification with Jesus' death and resurrection. It is an outward sign of an inner desire to live a new life in the power of the Holy Spirit.

2. What does Baptism mean?

Baptism is a visual aid of the gospel and is a sign of the believer's new birth into the family of god. Baptism pictures three things for us:

a) The death, burial and resurrection of Jesus.
b) Our own death to sin and our resurrection to new life in Christ.
c) Our faith and certain hope that if we die and are buried we shall also be raised from the dead.

"We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? Or don't you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death?" (Romans 6:2-3).

3. Is Baptism a Command?

We believe that baptism is a command of Jesus according to the commission of Jesus in Matthew 28:18-28, all are to be baptised who accept Jesus as Saviour and Lord.

4. What are the Requirements for Baptism?

Baptism is for those who have repented of their sin and accepted Jesus Christ as their own personal Saviour and Lord.

5. Can we be Christians and not be Baptised?

Nowhere in scripture does it indicate that salvation depends upon baptism. It is solely dependent on our faith and trust in the Jesus Christ.
However, Jesus sets us an example and requires that we be obedient to His command.
It would seem strange for you to seek to live wholeheartedly in all other aspects of the Christian life, yet be disobedient in this area!

6. How is Baptism rightly administered?

The believer, after acknowledging repentance towards God and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, is invited to be baptised and is (except in exceptional circumstances) immersed fully into water in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit according to the instructions given in the Bible in John 3:5; Acts 2: 38.

7. Does being Baptised give me any rights?

To be baptised means giving up all the rights to your life and handing them all to Jesus Christ who lives in and through you. However, in our church if you have been baptised you can request membership of the church and join in the glorious advantages (and responsibilities) of belonging to the body of Christ.