Baptism is:

• water

• used with God’s promise of forgiveness and salvation and

• by Christ’s command.

 

Christ commands us

“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.”  (Matthew 28:19)

 

God promises

• “He who believes and is baptized will be saved” (Mark 16:16)

• Sins are washed away (Acts 2:38; 22:16)

• The Holy Spirit is given (Luke 3:21-22; Acts 2:38)

• God makes us members of the Church, the body of Christ (1 Cor 12:13; Gal 3:27)

• God brings us into his Kingdom (John 3:5)

• We are adopted Children of God (John 1:12; Rom 8:14-16)
   

God does these things, not the water by itself

This means:

• The amount of water is not important—God can use just a few drops

• The type of water is not important—river, lake or tap water can all be used by God

 

God does these things, not the person being baptized

This means the baptized:

• Do not need to know anything, understand anything, or do anything except receive

• Can be an infant or adult

• Can be a professor of philosophy or mentally handicapped

• Does need to be trained and taught to believe God’s promises in baptism

• Does need to be surrounded by faithful Christians who will guide, support, and train them to follow Jesus.

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