Baptism

Baptism is a symbol. Just as a stop sign cannot impede your vehicle (unless you crash into it), baptism does not wash away your sins or make you into  anything. It is a symbol. It does not change your relationship to God. It is intimate, very deep, and extremely spiritual…but it is only a symbol. But like all symbols, it means something. It is a visible action that demonstrates to the world the truth of what has happened within the person who has given their life to Jesus Christ. It is an outward act demonstrating an inward fact.

First, Baptism is a symbol of death to sin and your old life. As you go under the water, it is  symbolic of death and burial.

“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 life a new life.” (Romans 6.4)

Baptism is also a symbol of new life. As you come out of the water, it is symbolic of being raised form the dead to a new life that you now have in Christ.

“Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come.”  (2 Corinthians 5.17)

Baptism also looks forward to resurrection where we will all share life in eternity.

Belonging

It is a demonstration to the world that despite differences in tradition, race, and culture, that the one baptism unites us all as believers, and that in Christ we are all one.

“There is one body and one spirit—just as you were called—one Lord, One faith, one baptism; one God and father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.” (Ephesians 4.4-6)

Baptism Is Step 1

Baptism is not about getting serious about your relationship with Christ. Being a Christian means that. Baptism is an expression that you have begun your relationship with Jesus.  Baptism is not an optional part of becoming a Christian. It is a command of Jesus Christ, and part of what it means to be a Christian. Baptism doesn’t make you Christian, but every Christian should be baptized. Baptism is not for those who “have it together”. Baptism declares that none of us ‘have it together” and that we are all dependent upon Jesus Christ. If you are ready to follow Christ, you are ready to be Baptized.

The admonition all through the New Testament is:

“Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins.” (Acts 2.38)

Baptism Is a Declaration

Baptism is a public declaration of faith. It constitutes someone’s intention to  follow Christ in a life long journey, and to publicly join his family—both universal (the body of Christ world-wide) and a local church (a local gathering of Christians).

Baptism is a decision to belong to Christ, and a commitment to follow Him forever. Because of the need to express one’s own faith, it is only for those who have made a decision for themselves to follow Christ. This is why in our church we do not baptize infants. This does not discount infant baptism as meaningless, but instead separates tradition and upbringing from one’s own decision. Faith is not a private matter, but it is a personal one, and everyone must choose for themselves. Baptism is an expression of that choice.

At HRAC, We practise baptism by immersion (we fully immerse the candidate underwater), but special considerations can be made for those who are otherwise unable to participate in immersion baptism. Our baptistery is portable, so candidates are baptized on their knees.

Candidates are asked to share briefly with the congregation their faith journey and their reason for choosing baptism. Once baptized, candidates are given a white towel (theirs to keep) as a symbol of the service that they have entered into.

For More Information

If you  are interested in being baptized, would like more information, or would like to talk with one of our pastors about baptism, please contact our  office (403-652-4170) to speak with one of our pastoral staff, or email us at: info@highriverchurch.com.