Baptisms at Central
Baptism represents a public declaration of a person’s personal decision to make Jesus the Lord and Leader of their life. Whenever a person decides to become a follower of Jesus Christ, the next step is baptism.
Symbolize
Baptism symbolizes Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection, and our identification with Him.
Believers baptized by immersion (submerged underwater) proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ and are then “raised to walk in a new life.” The New Testament word “baptism” referred to immersing a piece of cloth in a vat of dye. Baptism expresses that an individual identifies with Christ (Romans 6:3-4 and Colossians 2:12). Acts 2:38 makes clear that to receive the gift of the Holy Ghost, you must be baptized “in the name of Jesus.”
Believers baptized by immersion (submerged underwater) proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ and are then “raised to walk in a new life.” The New Testament word “baptism” referred to immersing a piece of cloth in a vat of dye. Baptism expresses that an individual identifies with Christ (Romans 6:3-4 and Colossians 2:12). Acts 2:38 makes clear that to receive the gift of the Holy Ghost, you must be baptized “in the name of Jesus.”
Testify
Baptism is a public testimony of faith in Christ.
Throughout church history, individuals have publicly testified of their faith in Jesus Christ through baptism. Asking individuals to raise their hand, walk down the church aisle, or even pray a specific prayer is new to the church. In the Bible, the act of baptism served as the expression of faith in Christ.
Throughout church history, individuals have publicly testified of their faith in Jesus Christ through baptism. Asking individuals to raise their hand, walk down the church aisle, or even pray a specific prayer is new to the church. In the Bible, the act of baptism served as the expression of faith in Christ.
Identify
Incorporation into His church.
Identification with Christ means you relate to Christ’s body, the church. The church received individuals into membership once baptized (Acts 2:41). Historically, baptism signified the “initiatory rite” in the local church. We believe in the biblical sense of the word “baptism,” that a person must know and trust in Christ for salvation. Accordingly, we reserve baptism until a person entirely comes to this knowledge.
Identification with Christ means you relate to Christ’s body, the church. The church received individuals into membership once baptized (Acts 2:41). Historically, baptism signified the “initiatory rite” in the local church. We believe in the biblical sense of the word “baptism,” that a person must know and trust in Christ for salvation. Accordingly, we reserve baptism until a person entirely comes to this knowledge.
Baptism Questions & Answers
Why be baptized?
We are baptized to symbolize the death and burial of an old way of life. Coming out of the water symbolizes resurrection to the new life with Jesus Christ. We think of our sinful life as being dead and buried, resulting in a powerful motive to resist sin. Our bondage to sin is now broken, and we have fellowship with God. Sin no longer has a hold on us. (Ephesians 4:21-24; Colossians 3:3-15).
Is there more than one baptism?
“I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance. But he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:” Matthew 3:11.
John the Baptist baptized people as a sign that they had asked God to forgive their sins and decided to live as He wanted them to. Baptism is an outward sign of commitment. To be effective, it had to be accompanied by an inward change of attitude leading to a changed life – the work of the Holy Spirit.
John the Baptist baptized people as a sign that they had asked God to forgive their sins and decided to live as He wanted them to. Baptism is an outward sign of commitment. To be effective, it had to be accompanied by an inward change of attitude leading to a changed life – the work of the Holy Spirit.
Can you be saved without being baptized?
Baptism is only an outward sign to show the world that you have joined with the Body of Christ. Being baptized does not save you alone; it is only a sign. For example, the bedridden person has no chance of being submerged. Therefore, this individual can pray the sinner’s prayer and be saved.
“And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom. And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be with me in paradise.” Luke 23:42-43. The man in this passage was about to die when he turned to Jesus Christ for forgiveness, and Jesus accepted him.
“And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom. And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be with me in paradise.” Luke 23:42-43. The man in this passage was about to die when he turned to Jesus Christ for forgiveness, and Jesus accepted him.
When Jesus was baptized, what did it symbolize?
The submission of Jesus to be baptized by John the Baptist was His total subjection to the Will of God in action. He was totally dedicated to the righteousness of God. The baptism was His outward sign of His inward change, the formal act of emptying Himself. Jesus, “who being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: but made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men” (Philippians 2:6-7).