BELIEVER’S BAPTISM

"Therefore 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. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." - Matthew 28:19-20

At NECFC, we practice believer’s baptism. This simply means that baptism is for those who already believe in Jesus for their salvation. Belief comes before baptism. The storyline of Acts reveals the ongoing drama of those who first place their hope and trust in Jesus and then proceed to the public proclamation of baptism (Acts 4:38-41; 8:12; and 10:44-48).

Believers are those who have realized that their sin has 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 this point in your spiritual journey, then you are ready to be baptized. Just as a bride and groom tell of their love for one another through the symbol of rings, you should also want to show the world through baptism of your union with Christ.

EXPLAINING BAPTISM

BAPTISM AS IDENTITY

Baptism is such a significant statement for the believer because it powerfully identifies a person with Jesus. The apostle Paul explains how baptism identifies a believer with the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus (Romans 6:1-11). Going under water represents Christ’s death and burial while the coming up out of the water provides a vivid picture of His victory over the grave. This, then, becomes the identity of the Christian as he or she is dead to sin and has put on or alive to Christ (Galatians 2:20; 3:27).

BAPTISM AS OBEDIENCE

Another way we view baptism is that it is an act of obedience. After his resurrection, Jesus commanded his
followers to go and make disciples and to baptize them (Matthew 28:19-20). The first followers of Jesus immediately put this into
practice as they called for people to repent and be baptized (Acts 2:38). We practice baptism because Jesus commanded us to do so.

BAPTISM AS A SYMBOL

Baptism is an outward expression of inward transformation. A person’s baptism might be compared to a Chic-fil-a sign out on the road. The sign itself won’t feed you lunch, rather, it points you inside where something special awaits! In a similar way, baptism itself is not salvation, rather, it is an outward sign that something special has happened on the inside. That something special is a new life found in Jesus Christ. Consider also a wedding ring. The ring itself is not the marriage but serves as a symbol that the heart belongs to a spouse. Baptism shows the world that the old heart is gone and the new belongs to and has been transformed by Jesus(2 Corinthians 5:17).

BAPTISM BY IMMERSION

At NECFC we practice baptism by immersion. This means a person is briefly immersed or submerged in water and then lifted
out. We contend that the following biblical reflections point toward the church practicing the immersion mode of baptism.

SPRINKLING

The Bible uses beautiful imagery to describe God’s love being poured out or sprinkled on His people (Ezekiel 36:24-27; Joel
2:28-29; Acts 2:17-33; Acts 10:45; Titus 3:5-6; Hebrews 9:13-19). While this imagery illustrates meaningful action on behalf of God, sprinkling and pouring do not pertain to baptism. When the New Testament addresses a person being baptized, these words are not used.

PLENTY OF WATER

John the Baptist called people to turn away from sin and to be baptized. The Bible tells us that John chose to practice his baptism in a place where there was plenty of water (John 3:23).

CAME UP OUT

Jesus led the way for us by choosing to be baptized. Jesus’ baptism story shows that Jesus “came up out” of the water (Mark 1:9-10). Another story in the Bible shows a similar practice as a man who was responding in faith “went down” in the water and “came up out” again (Acts 8:34-39).

WHO SHOULD BE BAPTIZED?

Baptism is for the believer. Baptism is a public step to show the world that his man or this woman is now a Christ-follower. It is one thing to say in the privacy of one’s heart that you are a sinner who needs a Savior. But, it is quite another to step out of the shadows to publicly demonstrate the fact that because of what Christ has done for you, you are now a member of the family of God. If you are a Christian, meaning you have turned from your sin and have placed your hope and trust in Jesus Christ, you should be baptized.

BAPTISM AND SALVATION

The Bible is very clear that only Jesus saves (Romans 10:9-10). Faith in what Christ did for us on the cross is what saves a person. Baptism is merely a public demonstration of what has already happened in the inner person. It has absolutely no redemptive powers of its own! There is nothing special about the water or the person doing the baptizing. Baptism does not
make you a believer; it shows you already believe. Baptism does not save you; by grace only your faith in Christ does that (Ephesians 2:8-9).

INFANT BAPTISM

We do not baptize infants here at NECFC. In the Bible, we find parents bringing their children to Jesus. He held them, prayed for
them, and instructed us to welcome them. But Jesus did not baptize them, nor did He instruct anyone to do so. At FBC, we reserve baptism for those who have a made a personal decision to trust in Christ alone for their salvation. If you were baptized as a child, it was the intent of your parents that you would one day be a follower of Jesus. Your believer’s baptism can be viewed as the fulfillment of your parent’s wishes and in no way negates the baptism you received as a child. We encourage Christian parents to present their children before God and the church for the ceremony of dedication. This is a ceremony intended as a commitment between parens and God on behalf of the child. The parents promise to raise their child in accordance with the teachings of Scripture until the child is old enough to make his/her own personal confession of faith.