BAPTISM
Baptism is an outward symbol of an inward change. It represents God's cleansing of our souls through the power of the Holy Spirit. For the sinner who chooses to be baptized, it symbolizes their submission and total obedience to Jesus Christ, as well as their total reliance on his will for their lives. As such, when we are baptized we are literally baptized into Christ's death and resurrection. It symbolizes the ability to now walk in the newness of life (Romans 6:3-7.) Not only is it a sign of being washed new, it is also a sign of being admitted into the Covenant of God. In the Old Testament, the Covenant sign given by God was through circumcision. However, in the New Testament, circumcision was done away with and baptism was instituted. (Romans 2:25-29)(Colossians 2:11-12) This would be the new sign of the Covenant between God and his people. As such, baptism is not something that saves people. (see Salvation on About page) Rather, it is an outward acknowledgement of Christ's work in your life. We believe God is at work in all of us, regardless of age. And just as Abraham was accepted by faith, as having been circumcised when he wasn't, because of what God was doing in his life, we cannot deny what God is doing in the lives of those before they are able to consciously choose baptism for themselves. (Romans 4:11) Just as circumcision was instituted for the community and for infants, we recognize infants as those called to baptism as well. Because these symbols are given to us by God in both Old and New Testament, they function the same. Since baptism is the covenant symbol for his people, like circumcision before it, we acknowledge infant baptism as an acceptable means of Grace, just as believer baptism.
Baptism is an outward symbol of an inward change. It represents God's cleansing of our souls through the power of the Holy Spirit. For the sinner who chooses to be baptized, it symbolizes their submission and total obedience to Jesus Christ, as well as their total reliance on his will for their lives. As such, when we are baptized we are literally baptized into Christ's death and resurrection. It symbolizes the ability to now walk in the newness of life (Romans 6:3-7.) Not only is it a sign of being washed new, it is also a sign of being admitted into the Covenant of God. In the Old Testament, the Covenant sign given by God was through circumcision. However, in the New Testament, circumcision was done away with and baptism was instituted. (Romans 2:25-29)(Colossians 2:11-12) This would be the new sign of the Covenant between God and his people. As such, baptism is not something that saves people. (see Salvation on About page) Rather, it is an outward acknowledgement of Christ's work in your life. We believe God is at work in all of us, regardless of age. And just as Abraham was accepted by faith, as having been circumcised when he wasn't, because of what God was doing in his life, we cannot deny what God is doing in the lives of those before they are able to consciously choose baptism for themselves. (Romans 4:11) Just as circumcision was instituted for the community and for infants, we recognize infants as those called to baptism as well. Because these symbols are given to us by God in both Old and New Testament, they function the same. Since baptism is the covenant symbol for his people, like circumcision before it, we acknowledge infant baptism as an acceptable means of Grace, just as believer baptism.