Baptism

Question 1

WHY DO WE STILL BAPTIZE PEOPLE TODAY?

Answer

For at least two reasons:

Jesus’ Example. Although He had no need to repent from sins, Jesus was baptized as a sign of fulfilling all righteousness, identifying with the Father, and submitting to the Father’s will. (Matthew 3:13- 17)
Jesus’ Command. In the Great Commission, Jesus made it clear that baptism is a part of the process of making disciples: “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, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:19-20)

Question 2

WHY DOES GOD COMMAND IT?

Answer

Baptism is a concrete way for believers to demonstrate their obedience to Jesus’ command to profess faith in Him publicly. As a person is immersed in the water, he or she is proclaiming: “I believe in Jesus Christ and His death, burial, and resurrection; and I am trusting in Him alone for my salvation” (1 Corinthians 15:3-4; Acts 4:12). Baptism is also a proclamation and illustration of the gospel truths to non- believers and an invitation to them to come to faith in Christ.

1. Identification with Christ
(a visible symbol of our identification with Christ — Romans 6:1-14)

We identify with Christ’s death and burial when we go under the water. Just as Jesus was raised from the dead, our coming out of the water symbolizes that we now walk in a “newness” of life. (Romans 6:4; 2 Corinthians 5:17)
We are not PERFECT! But when we trust in Christ for our salvation, we are no longer enslaved to sin, and we have the power through Christ to defeat what our flesh desires to do. “Dead to sin and alive to God” (Romans 6:5-11).

2. Public Profession as a Believer in Christ
(outward expression of an inner spiritual change — Matthew 10:32)

We believe that baptism happens after conversion and is not a means of salvation. You are not saved by being baptized. You are baptized to show that you have been saved.
Otherwise, Paul would not write in 1 Corinthians 1:17: “For Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the gospel, and not with words of eloquent wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.”

3. Obedience as a Believer in Christ
(Matthew 28:19-20)

Baptism is more properly called an “ordinance.” We participate in the ordinance of baptism because it was ordained and commanded (“ordered”) by the Lord Jesus Christ as a symbolic demonstration of our faith in Him.
Even though baptism does not save, it is not optional. The Bible commands believers to be baptized (Matthew 28:19-20).

Question 3

CAN BAPTISM SAVE ME?

Answer

NO!

Bapptism does not cause salvation. There are only a couple of passages that mention baptism and salvation together. There are about 200 passages that speak of salvation with no mention of baptism. Baptism is not “essential” for salvation, but it is an important first step of obedience.

Question 4

HOW DOES RIDGEVIEW BAPTIZE?

Answer

We choose to follow Christ’s example by using full submersion.

Question 5

HOW DO I KNOW I AM READY TO BE BAPTIZED?

Answer

Can you answer “yes” to the following questions?

Do you believe that you are a sinner separated from God?
(Romans 3:23)

Do you believe that your sins deserve punishment and that the punishment for your sin is death?
(Romans 6:23)

Do you believe that there is nothing you can do to earn salvation?
(Ephesians 2:8-9)

Do you believe that God loved you so much that He sent his Son to the cross for you and there took your punishment?

(John 3:16; Romans 5:8)

Have you put your trust in Christ?

(Romans 10:9-10)

With all your heart, do you intend to walk with Christ all of your life?

(Colossians 1:10)

If you answered "Yes" to each of the questions above, you are likely ready to be baptized.

Email a Pastor for Questions

Question 6

WHY DO WE STILL BAPTIZE PEOPLE TODAY?

Answer

For at least two reasons:

Jesus’ Example. Although He had no need to repent from sins, Jesus was baptized as a sign of fulfilling all righteousness, identifying with the Father, and submitting to the Father’s will. (Matthew 3:13- 17)
Jesus’ Command. In the Great Commission, Jesus made it clear that baptism is a part of the process of making disciples: “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, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:19-20)

Question 7

WHY DOES GOD COMMAND IT?

Answer

Baptism is a concrete way for believers to demonstrate their obedience to Jesus’ command to profess faith in Him publicly. As a person is immersed in the water, he or she is proclaiming: “I believe in Jesus Christ and His death, burial, and resurrection; and I am trusting in Him alone for my salvation” (1 Corinthians 15:3-4; Acts 4:12). Baptism is also a proclamation and illustration of the gospel truths to non- believers and an invitation to them to come to faith in Christ.

1. Identification with Christ
(a visible symbol of our identification with Christ — Romans 6:1-14)

We identify with Christ’s death and burial when we go under the water. Just as Jesus was raised from the dead, our coming out of the water symbolizes that we now walk in a “newness” of life. (Romans 6:4; 2 Corinthians 5:17)
We are not PERFECT! But when we trust in Christ for our salvation, we are no longer enslaved to sin, and we have the power through Christ to defeat what our flesh desires to do. “Dead to sin and alive to God” (Romans 6:5-11).

2. Public Profession as a Believer in Christ
(outward expression of an inner spiritual change — Matthew 10:32)

We believe that baptism happens after conversion and is not a means of salvation. You are not saved by being baptized. You are baptized to show that you have been saved.
Otherwise, Paul would not write in 1 Corinthians 1:17: “For Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the gospel, and not with words of eloquent wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.”

3. Obedience as a Believer in Christ
(Matthew 28:19-20)

Baptism is more properly called an “ordinance.” We participate in the ordinance of baptism because it was ordained and commanded (“ordered”) by the Lord Jesus Christ as a symbolic demonstration of our faith in Him.
Even though baptism does not save, it is not optional. The Bible commands believers to be baptized (Matthew 28:19-20).

Question 8

CAN BAPTISM SAVE ME?

Answer

NO!

Bapptism does not cause salvation. There are only a couple of passages that mention baptism and salvation together. There are about 200 passages that speak of salvation with no mention of baptism. Baptism is not “essential” for salvation, but it is an important first step of obedience.

Question 9

HOW DOES RIDGEVIEW BAPTIZE?

Answer

We choose to follow Christ’s example by using full submersion.

Question 10

HOW DO I KNOW I AM READY TO BE BAPTIZED?

Answer

Can you answer “yes” to the following questions?

Do you believe that you are a sinner separated from God?
(Romans 3:23)

Do you believe that your sins deserve punishment and that the punishment for your sin is death?
(Romans 6:23)

Do you believe that there is nothing you can do to earn salvation?
(Ephesians 2:8-9)

Do you believe that God loved you so much that He sent his Son to the cross for you and there took your punishment?

(John 3:16; Romans 5:8)

Have you put your trust in Christ?

(Romans 10:9-10)

With all your heart, do you intend to walk with Christ all of your life?

(Colossians 1:10)

If you answered "Yes" to each of the questions above, you are likely ready to be baptized.

Email a Pastor for Questions

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Can you answer “yes” to the following questions?

Can you answer “yes” to the following questions?