As I mentioned back in January, we are planning to have a baptism service later this year, probably in late July. After Easter I will be holding New Believers classes for folks who wish to be baptized. Because baptism means different things in different faith traditions, I want to share a bit about what we believe about baptism at Andrews Bridge.
Is baptism necessary for salvation? Do I have to be baptized in order to go to heaven?
At Andrews Bridge we do not believe that a person must be baptized in order to be saved. The requirement for salvation is to repent of our sins and believe that Jesus died on the cross for them (that is, to declare Jesus as our one and only Lord and Savior). This truth is taught repeatedly in the New Testament (John 3:16, Ephesians 2:8-9, and Titus 3:5, among many other verses).
To say that baptism is necessary for salvation is necessarily saying that the Gospel is “Jesus Plus” and that we must add our own good works and obedience to Christ’s death and resurrection in order to be saved. We categorically reject a “Jesus Plus” theology.
So if baptism doesn’t save us, why do we do it?
In Matthew 28:19-20 Jesus tells the disciples “Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.” These instructions, known as the Great Commission, give the church its purpose. We are to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus and teach the Word of God. Those two activities create disciples (that’s you and me)! We are then to baptize those disciples. So, if for no other reason, baptism is important because Jesus commanded us to do it. Throughout the New Testament we see that baptism is closely connected to discipleship.
At Andrews Bridge we believe that baptism is an important step in one’s faith journey. It is an outward sign of an inward change. It is a way to publicly proclaim what God has done in reorienting our hearts towards Christ. In undergoing baptism we are symbolically identifying in Christ’s death, burial and resurrection in that we die to sin and find new life in Jesus.
So how does Andrews Bridge practice baptism?
In keeping with our Anabaptist heritage, we practice believer’s baptism at Andrews Bridge. Way back in the year 401 the Roman Catholic Church officially began the practice of baptizing infants (the Catholic Church still does today, along with a number of Protestant denominations). Some churches and people groups disagreed with this, and re-baptized those who made professions of faith after having been baptized in the official church. As you can imagine, this didn’t sit well with those in leadership. The Roman Empire began to encourage their bishops to actively oppose the dissenting churches, and even passed laws condemning them to death. These re-baptizers became known as Anabaptists.
So at Andrews Bridge we practice infant dedication and believer’s baptism. Traditionally within the larger church baptism has been done 3 different ways – sprinkling (infants), pouring, and immersion. At Andrews Bridge we primarily have baptized through immersion (the person’s whole body is immersed in the water), although we have also baptized through pouring on some occasions. We are in agreement with our AMEC network in showing grace as to the mode of baptism. We do believe, however, that immersion is the mode that best reflects the practice of the New Testament church.
If I was baptized as an infant, do I have to be baptized as a believer?
As I mentioned, the Catholic Church and a number of Protestant denominations baptize infants, although most do not believe that baptism is required for salvation. In those faith traditions (and I am certainly not an expert on all of them, so keep that in mind), baptism is viewed as an equivalent to the Old Testament practice of circumcision.
In the Old Testament circumcision was a symbol that you were a Hebrew and were being placed under the Old Testament covenants, primarily the Abrahamic Covenant and the Mosaic Covenant. In this view, baptism places a person under the New Covenant of salvation through Jesus Christ. It is a sign that the person will be raised to love Jesus by the parents and encouraged in their faith by the church. Many denominations then have a confirmation ceremony when the infants are older and (hopefully) have become believers.
Because we do not believe that a believer’s baptism is required for salvation, it is certainly not required for a person to participate in the life of the Bridge. However, if a person’s previous baptism was as an infant, we would strongly encourage them to consider making the public declaration of faith that comes with believer’s baptism.
I’m interested in being baptized. What’s next?
I will be holding a New Believer’s class during the Sunday School hour for three Sundays after Easter (4/23, 4/30, and 5/7). This class is primarily for older children and teens who have trusted in Jesus as their Savior. We will be walking through the Scriptures to help everyone understand what it means to follow Jesus and what it means to be baptized. We’ll also be discussing what a testimony is and working on what to share before being baptized.
If there are any adults who are interested in baptism, please see me personally and we’ll set up a time to meet. We’ll be discussing the same Scriptures and topics, just in a different setting.
Please note that participating in a New Believer’s class does not mean that someone has to be baptized later this summer. I am perfectly fine with someone deciding that they just aren’t quite ready for that step of faith yet. Baptism is meant to be a celebration, not an obligation.
Please let me know if you have any questions and certainly if you are interested in being baptized!
Here’s what happening:
- Don’t forget that we are collecting canned pasta for Oxford Neighborhood Services. Donations can be placed on the table in the lobby. Collection runs from Sunday through 3/26!
- Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner is Sunday night!
- Junior Youth service project is set for Saturday, 3/25 from 10 am to noon at the church. Many hands make light work. If you’d like to help out, let Tracy Alexander or Elizabeth Barrett know.
- Men’s Breakfast is set of 3/25 at 8am at Hometown Kitchen.
- Senior High Youth next meet on 3/26 after the worship service.
- If you are interested in sharing special music during our Palm Sunday, Good Friday, or Easter services, please let me know soon.
- We will be celebrating Holy Communion on Palm Sunday (4/2).
This Sunday we will be studying the Transfiguration of Jesus, found in Mark 9. Peter, James, and John have a remarkable worship experience on a mountaintop. We’ll look at the realities of mountaintop experiences and just who God wants us to listen to on this side of eternity.
Have a great weekend!
Scott