BAPTISM AT WOODLANDS

1) What is baptism?
We believe that baptism and the Lord’s supper are the two ordinances that God has commanded us to observe as reminders of our salvation, and of what Christ has accomplished for us on the cross. They are similar in that they are both outward symbols of an inward faith that we possess. They are given to us to demonstrate our faith, and remind us of what Christ has done. Baptism is a public declaration of our allegiance to, connection with, and faith in Christ. Let’s unpack that last statement.

First of all baptism is a declaration of our allegiance to Christ. To become a Christian is to repent of our sins and invite Christ into our lives as Lord and Savior. It is choosing Him. In Baptism we are “going public” with that decision, and saying like the hymn says “I have decided to follow Jesus.”

Second, baptism is a declaration of our connection with Christ. The Bible says that when a person becomes a Christian, he/she is “in Christ” and Christ is “in him/her.” Baptism symbolizes our union with Christ in His death, burial and resurrection.

Romans 6:3-4: “Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? We were buried therefore with Him by baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.”

“When the candidate for baptism goes down into the water it is a picture of going down into the grave and being buried. Coming up out of the water is then a picture of being raised with Christ to walk in newness of life. Baptism thus very clearly pictures death to one’s old way of life and rising to a new kind of life in Christ.” Wayne Grudem, Systematic Theology.

Third, baptism is a declaration of our faith in Christ. In baptism we are declaring our exclusive trust in Christ alone for our salvation. So baptism is a wonderful reminder of our salvation and commitment to Christ. It is a time of great celebration as we remember what Christ has done for us.

2) Why do we baptize people?
The simple answer to that question is because Christ has commanded us to baptize all those who are His followers. It is purely and simply an act of obedience.

3) How do we practice it?
We practice baptism of believers by immersion. We believe that this method is what was practiced in the days of Jesus, and it best fits with the Bible’s teaching on baptism. The word baptism literally means to immerse. Because baptism is a symbol of a salvation that we already possess through faith in Christ, and baptism does not save us, it should be reserved for believers only.

4) What about those who have been baptized as infants?
Because we believe that baptism of believers by immersion is the New Testament pattern, we would encourage those who have been baptized as infants to consider taking the step of baptism as a confessing believer. This is not a requirement for involvement in the church at any level, and we recognize that genuine believers have different opinions about the timing and mode of baptism. Yet we also believe that the public declaration of our allegiance to, connection with, and faith in Christ is an important and wonderful step in every believer’s life, and we would not want anyone to miss that meaningful event. Many people look back on the day of their baptism as believers as a day that has anchored and solidified their faith. So we encourage all believers to consider it.

5) If you have to the best of your understanding turned from your sins, and asked Christ to come into your life, then you should by all means be baptized.
As a matter of practice, the church leadership recommends children wait until the 7th grade to be baptized. The reasons for this are:
1. They are old enough to have started to feel the pressure of what it means to follow Christ. During this formative time of adolescence, baptism can be a “stake in the ground” experience that shows that they have “counted the cost” and have decided to follow Jesus.
2. They are old enough to remember and treasure the experience. They are also more fully able to understand the significance and symbolism of baptism.

6) What actually happens at the baptismal service?
One of our pastors will give a brief explanation concerning the meaning and symbolism of baptism. He will introduce each person who is being baptized. We ask each person  to share a little of their personal story concerning their faith in Christ, followed by the water immersion.