The Meaning of Baptism
After his death and resurrection, Jesus left these instructions for his disciples: "Therefore, go 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). Not long after, that is exactly what they did. After Peter's first recorded public message about Jesus, we find that "Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day" (Acts 2:41).
Throughout the book of Acts, men, women and children continued to respond to the good news about Jesus, placed their trust in Him, and were baptized (8:36-39; 9:18; 10:47-48; 31-33). Baptism identified a person as a follower of Jesus Christ. It was a way of publicly identifying with Jesus' death, burial and resurrection (Romans 6:8). It also symbolized the individual being cleansed from sin by faith in Jesus Christ. Baptism did not result in the forgiveness of sins, but rather pictured it. It served as an outward expression of an inward reality.
The Method of Baptism
Over the 2000 years of church history, baptism has been expressed primarily in two ways: the baptism of believing adults and children and the baptism of infants. TWC recognizes "infant baptism" as primarily an act of baby dedication by the parents, which is a spiritually significant act of faith. TWC only practices adult and older children's baptism by immersion following the salvation experience.
Basis for and Significance of Believer's Baptism
After Jesus ascended to heaven and the Holy Spirit was given, we see the disciples empowered to carry out Jesus' instructions to make disciples and to baptize them. An account recorded in Acts 10:47-48 provides a clear picture concerning the place of baptism in a person's spiritual journey: "Can anyone keep these people from being baptized with water? They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have. So he ordered that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ…"
This is the pattern found in the book of Acts: The good news about Jesus was shared. People opened up their hearts to him and believed. They received the Holy Spirit. Then they were baptized. (see also Acts16:31-33; Acts 22:16).
Believer's baptism is a choice to publicly declare their faith in Jesus Christ by identifying with his death and resurrection. The Apostle Paul stated it in this manner: "Or don't you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life" (Romans 6:3-4). Baptism identifies the individual with the death and burial of the old way of life, just as Christ himself died. It also pictures resurrection to a new life, just as Christ was raised from the dead. The water of baptism provides a wonderful picture of the washing away of sin and guilt through faith in Jesus, who took all of the sin and guilt on himself.
Believer's baptism has as its emphasis personal faith in Jesus Christ. It marks out the individual as one who is now a true child of God, and a member of the Body of Christ: "You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus (Gal 3:26-28).
Conclusion
Baptism is a significant event that provides a picture of God's love and grace. It is a celebration of new life that has come to the person by grace through faith.
Common Questions and Answers
- Does a person have to be baptized in order to become a Christian?
Becoming a Christian is a matter of personal faith in Jesus Christ, and nothing else. Baptism is not a necessary requirement for becoming a Christian, but, in the case of believer's baptism, is an act of obedience and submission to Christ and a public declaration of faith.
- If I was baptized previously in another church can I or should I be baptized again at TWC?
TWC will honor any previous Christian baptism, whether as a child or an adult.
For those previously baptized, the decision to be baptized again should be made in consultation with a pastor.
- Why is baptism required for membership at TWC?
In the book of Acts, when people came to faith in Christ they were immediately baptized and "added to their number" (Acts 2:41). In a sense, baptism represents seriousness about faith in Christ and wholehearted devotion to Him. Any local church, including TWC, is not made up of perfect people, but it should be made up of people who are wholehearted in their desire to follow Christ. Baptism serves as one indication of that desire and as a step of obedience.
- What is baby dedication?
At TWC, infant dedication is a way to celebrate the gift of a child to the parents and to the Church. It is a celebration of God's gift of life to the family and to the Church Body. It expresses the desire of the parents that the child will grow one day to place personal faith in Jesus Christ. The public ceremony recognizes the role of the community of God's people in the spiritual development of the child.
