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Baptism

Baptism is an act of obedience, it doesn't earn salvation or get us into heaven. It is by personal faith in Jesus Christ as Saviour and Lord that we are saved. Baptism by immersion, as taught in the Bible, should follow on from our acceptance of the gift of salvation by grace offered by Jesus Christ.

True faith in Jesus Christ and His work on the cross for our sins is sufficient for salvation. He has already done everything and His grace doesn't require any additional work by us, including being baptised. We do it because we believe that Jesus Christ commands believers to be baptised (Matthew 28:18-20).

The Book of Acts describes how the early church practiced baptism for individuals who believed in Jesus through the preaching of the Gospel by the apostles (Acts 2:37-41; 8:5-13; 8:35-39; 9:10-18; 10:34-48; 16:13-15; 16:30-33; 18:8; and 19:1-6).

Baptism by immersion is a public act of witness and symbolises death and resurrection. The person who is baptised is declaring that they have died with Christ to their old self, been risen with Christ to new life and wish to serve the Lord as an active member of the Christian church.


Then Jesus came to them and said, '"All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptising 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. And surely I will be with you always, to the very end of the age".
(Matthew 28:18-20)
 


When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, "Brothers, what shall we do?" Peter replied, "Repent and be baptised, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call." With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, "Save yourselves from this corrupt generation." Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day. (Acts 2:37-41) 
 

A personal account of Baptism