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| Baptism | |||||||||||
At Journey of Faith we practice believer’s baptism. Here are some frequently asked questions regarding this view of baptism: 1. What is the significance of believer’s baptism? Believer’s baptism is the way a person makes a public declaration of faith in Jesus Christ. By being baptized you are proclaiming that you are a follower of Jesus Christ, that Jesus is the Savior and Lord of your life, and that to the best of your ability you will live your life in a way that pleases him. Baptism is what separates those who are spectators from those who have decided to get in the game. 2. Why is baptism so important? At the very beginning of his ministry Jesus himself was baptized. (Matthew 3:13-17; Mark 1:9-11; Luke 3:21, 22; John 1:31-34) His last words to his friends before he ascended to heaven was the command "…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." (Matthew 28:19b-20a) In the New Testament, baptism followed conversion so closely that the two were considered part of one event. (Acts 2:38; 22:16; 1 Peter 3:21) At Journey of Faith, we understand scripture to teach that the act of baptism does not produce grace and bring about salvation, but rather it is an outward sign of an inward work of grace that has already taken place. (Titus 3:5; Ephesians 2:8, 9; Romans 6:3, 4) 3. Who should be baptized? Thoughtful and committed Christians have disagreed about this question for centuries. Journey of Faith believes the scriptures teach that baptism is an expression of the commitment of the person being baptized. That is why we call it "believer’s baptism." It is an expression of a person’s faith in Christ and a desire to follow Christ. Therefore, baptism ought to be restricted to someone who is mature enough to make that decision and that commitment. Baptism is for those who have made a personal decision to trust Christ alone for their salvation. Acts 2:38; :12; 18:8; 19:4; 22:16) 4. If I was baptized as an infant, should I be baptized again? If you were baptized as a child, it was the intent of your parents that you would one day be a follower of Christ. Your baptism as an adult can be viewed as the fulfillment of your parents’ wishes. It in no way repudiates the baptism you received as a child. If you have made a faith commitment to Christ as a mature person, then we encourage you to be baptized again as an adult. This is an expression of your choice to follow Christ. 5. How much water does it take to get baptized? There are many modes or methods of baptism. Some churches practice sprinkling, some pour water on the one being baptized and others immerse. Journey of Faith believes that the method of immersion best fits the original word used in the New Testament for baptism (the word means "to dip or immerse" also "to purify") and best fits the symbolism. Going all the way under the water symbolizes the fact that you have been cleansed fully from head to foot and have been totally forgiven. As you go under the water you identify with Jesus in his death and burial, and as you come up out of the water you identify with Christ in his resurrection. 6. Is baptism a guarantee of getting into heaven when I die? No, it is not. God offers his forgiveness and salvation as a free gift of grace. We receive his gift by faith. We cannot earn it by being baptized. If you have been counting on the fact that you were baptized as an infant as a ticket into heaven you have misunderstood what baptism is all about. Having water sprinkled on your head when you are a few weeks old will not get you into heaven. You can’t get into heaven by being baptized. You are saved by faith, not by baptism. (John 3:16; Romans 10:9, 10:13,11:6; Titus 3:5; Ephesians 2:8,9) 7. Can I make it into heaven even if I say no to baptism? Yes, but we at Journey would have a concern as to why you would not want to be baptized. Jesus clearly commands his followers to be baptized as a way of declaring their devotion to him. Baptism is the first thing Jesus asks you to do in obedience to him. Jesus said, "If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching…He who does not love me will not obey my teaching." (John 14:23a, 14:24a) 8. Is there a minimum age requirement in order to be baptized at Journey? It is the request of Journey of Faith that children wait until they are 8 years old to be baptized. Because the symbolism of baptism requires a more adult level of cognitive and developmental readiness, we recommend that children be at least 8 years old. Proverbs 20:25 issues a caution concerning the danger of making a vow before adequate knowledge, forethought and reflection have been given. In an effort to prevent young people from making a premature commitment that they may not fully understand, this minimum age has been established. 9. Am I ready to be baptized? Baptism is for believers. A believer is someone who has realized that their sin separated them from God. They have given up all efforts to reach God through good works or religious activity. They have concluded that Jesus Christ’s death on the cross for their sins is the only thing that can bridge the gap between them and God. A believer is someone who has decided to trust Christ alone for his or her salvation. If you have come to that point in your spiritual journey, then the answer is yes, you are ready to be baptized. (Acts 8:34-38) 10. What's the next step? Baptism happens seven times a year at Journey of Faith. Prior to the baptism dates, a class is offered for both children and adults to fully understand what baptism is all about. Before being baptized, you will be asked to write a paragraph or two describing yourself and when you decided to trust Christ alone for your salvation. We feel this is helpful for you to recognize the difference Christ has made in your life. Your testimonies will play a significant role during the service. It is our hope that believers will be encouraged and that others will be challenged by hearing about your spiritual journey. For more information please contact: Amanda Ayres |
