What is special about Believer Baptism?

Whatever your Christian tradition or denomination, Baptism is very special - a sacrament. The one thing most people associate with a Baptist Church is Baptism. What makes it so special that a Church denomination should anchor itself around that concept?

Isn't Baptism just a christening? What's the difference between infant baptism and Believer's Baptism in a Baptist Church. Like Communion or Lord's Supper, Baptism uses very simple things to show very deep and significant meaning.

Baptist Churches are often seen as churches whose main concern is to Baptise by immersion rather than use the sprinkling methods of other churches.

Whilst immersion is important to Baptists it is only of secondary importance. For Baptists the key principle is that of Believer's Baptism. Baptists believe that a man or a woman must have personally made a commitment to Christ BEFORE Baptism.

Baptism itself, is then a Biblical and personal expression of what changes have taken place in that person. An outward, public acknowledgement that Jesus Christ is their friend and Saviour and that He has made, and is continuing to make a change in their life.

What message does Baptism convey? 

It shows your desire to follow the command of Jesus as He outlined in Matthew 28 v 19.

.... 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

It follows Jesus' own example. In Matthew 3 v 15 He gives this reply when John the Baptist queried His need for Baptism.

.... "Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness."

It enacts in a public and visible way that you have entered a relationship with Jesus, that you want to follow His example, and that you want to go on and be taught His ways. It pictures the invisible change that has taken place within you. Paul describes this in Romans 6 v 3 and 4

.... Or don't you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.

It identifies you with the church of those, who like you, have put their trust in Jesus.

Who is Baptism for? 

There are many references in the Bible to Believer's Baptism. It is faith and a personal commitment to Jesus that is critical rather than being an adult. It is this Believers Baptism that the Baptist Church believes is important. It is faith and personal commitment to Jesus that makes you a Christian and that principle unites all Christian denominations. It's only after that that we differ in preferences for forms of church government.

It is faith not age or gender that is important. Baptism is open to all who have faith in Jesus. Faith and understanding are the two planks that will help you to decide whether Baptism is right for you - it won't stop you being a Christian if you decide it is not right for you - or not right yet.

Some references for you to check.

• Acts 2 v 38 .... Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins.
• Acts 8 v 12 .... when they believed Philip as he preached the good news of the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.
• Acts 16 v 30-33 .... "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" They replied, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved--you and your household." Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all the others in his house. At that hour of the night the jailer took them and washed their wounds; then immediately he and all his family were baptized.

Will Baptism make me different?

No, Baptism does not make you a Christian.

It is only a picture showing that you have become a Christian. In the same way a wedding service does not MAKE you fall in love but it does show to everyone that you have fallen in love already.

Baptists see their Baptism as following the command of Jesus as in John 15 v 10 .... If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father's commands and remain in his love.

What makes up a Baptism?

Water This reminds us that in Jesus we make a clean new start. We are washed clean.

Immersion This reminds us that Jesus died, was buried and rose again having conquered our sin.

Testimony The testimony is both spoken out loud by those seeking Baptism - saying why they believe it is right for them. The testimony is also enacted through the Baptism itself. Both testify to the real changes that have taken place in our lives.

Onlookers and Witnesses Baptism is public. It both witnesses to onlookers about your personal relationship with Jesus and provides witnesses to the faith you are confessing. 

Submission We cannot Baptise ourselves but must put our trust in someone else to do it. This is a reminder of our complete and utter dependence on Jesus to save us.

Joy Whenever Christians get together to remember the great things God has done for them, joy is both a feature, and at the heart, of that gathering.

“Why shouldn’t I be baptised?” Acts 8 v 36