Baptism is an act of obedience to the instruction of Jesus. He commanded His disciples to be baptized. Baptism is the biblical public testimony of one’s faith in Jesus Christ. In the New Testament, when a person trusted in Christ, the person gave public testimony by being baptized.

The Bible does not teach that baptism is essential to salvation; however, baptism is one of the first steps of obedience for the new Christian. The Bible teaches that baptism is essential to obedience.

Matthew 28:19-20; Ephesians 1:22-23; Acts 2:41; 9:18; 10:47-48; 16:15, 33

Baptism is only for those who have made a personal declaration of faith in Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior. People who are genuine followers of Christ are to be baptized. This is why we call it “believer’s baptism.”

Acts 2:41; 8:37-38; 10:43-48; John 10:27; 2 Corinthians 7:10

The Scriptures state that Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist. Why did Jesus insist that John baptize Him? Jesus was setting the example for His disciples to follow.

Matthew 3:13-17; Mark 1:9-11; Luke 3:21-23; 2 Corinthians 5:21

Baptism symbolizes the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ. The greatest redemptive event of all history is pictured in the water baptism of every believer.

Baptism symbolizes the death, burial, and resurrection of the believer. Through baptism, the believer shows that he has died to sin, that his old life has been buried with Christ, and that he has been raised to walk in the newness of life.

Romans 6:3-5; 1 Corinthians 15:3-4, 52

Immersion in water is the scriptural mode of baptism for several reasons. First, the word translated “baptize” in the New Testament means “to dip, to plunge, to submerge, to immerse.” Secondly, the two New Testament accounts of baptism clearly indicate that immersion was the mode of baptism used (Jesus, Mark 1:9-10; Ethiopian eunuch, Acts 8:38-39). Thirdly, immersion is the only method of baptism that pictures the death, burial, and resurrection.

Jesus instructed His disciples to baptize their converts in “the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.” We also baptize “in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit” as a way of affirming the biblical doctrine of the Trinity.

Matthew 28:19; Acts 2:38; 10:48; 8:16; 19:5; Luke 3:21-22

If a person realizes that his salvation actually came after their baptism, he should be re-baptized, because that first baptism was not a true testimony of faith. Only when a person has been saved is immersion in water a genuine New Testament baptism.

Baptists have consistently used the term ordinance rather than sacrament, because sacrament conveys the idea that act of baptism has saving power. Baptism is never to be understood as a means of salvation. Baptism is a sacred and symbolic act divinely ordered and commanded by the Lord.

Matthew 28:19-20

A person can be received into membership at Euharlee Baptist Church by statement if the following conditions are met:

1. The person has trusted in Jesus Christ as his/her personal Savior.

2. The person has experienced New Testament baptism by immersion.