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Baptism & Communion

Understanding and practicing the ordinances of baptism and communion are fundamental aspects of church life. These ceremonies serve as powerful symbols of faith and spiritual realities that shape the Christian experience.

Baptism: A Public Declaration of Faith

What Is Baptism?

Baptism comes from the Greek word "baptizo," which simply means to submerge something in liquid (Why do we Baptize? // Blake Jennings, 3:42). In ancient times, this word was used when white cloth was dipped into dye and took on its color, or when a ship sank into the ocean (Why do we Baptize? // Blake Jennings, 3:59).

The spiritual significance of baptism is beautifully explained in Romans 6:3-4, where Paul writes that those "baptized into Christ Jesus have been baptized into his death" and "buried with him through baptism into death so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the father so we might too walk in newness of life" (Why do we Baptize? // Blake Jennings, 4:50).

Baptism is when followers of Christ publicly identify themselves with Jesus's death and resurrection (Why do we Baptize? // Blake Jennings, 5:23). When someone goes down into the water, it represents Jesus going into the grave; when they come up out of the water, it represents Jesus's resurrection (Why do we Baptize? // Blake Jennings, 5:34).

Baptism by Immersion

Grace Bible Church practices baptism by immersion rather than sprinkling or pouring water. This method better represents the biblical imagery of being "put in the grave with Jesus and then raised up out of the grave with Jesus" (Why do we Baptize? // Blake Jennings, 6:05). The New Testament describes baptism as going down into water and coming up out of it, which is perfectly pictured through full immersion (Why do we Baptize? // Blake Jennings, 6:09).

Public Nature of Baptism

Throughout the New Testament, baptism was always public (Why do we Baptize? // Blake Jennings, 6:27). It's meant to be a public declaration that you are identifying yourself with Jesus's death and resurrection (Why do we Baptize? // Blake Jennings, 6:33). While it doesn't have to be in front of hundreds of people, it should be witnessed by others in some capacity.

Does Baptism Save You?

Baptism in water does not save you. Salvation comes by grace alone through faith alone, as Ephesians 2:8-9 makes clear: "For by grace you've been saved through faith and this is not of your own doing it is the gift of god not as a result of works so that no one may boast" (Why do we Baptize? // Blake Jennings, 7:56).

Since baptism is a work, and salvation is not based on works, baptism cannot be required for salvation (Why do we Baptize? // Blake Jennings, 8:38). This is demonstrated in Acts 10, where Cornelius and his household received the Holy Spirit before being baptized, proving they were already saved (Why do we Baptize? // Blake Jennings, 10:26).

The relationship between faith and baptism is like marriage vows and a wedding ring (Why do we Baptize? // Blake Jennings, 13:48). The ring doesn't make someone married - the vows do. Similarly, baptism doesn't save someone - faith does. But just as a wedding ring publicly shows marital status, baptism publicly shows spiritual status (Why do we Baptize? // Blake Jennings, 14:53).

Why Is Baptism Important?

1. Jesus Commands It

Jesus commanded baptism in the Great Commission: "Go therefore make disciples of all the nations baptizing them in the name of the father and the son and the holy spirit" (Matthew 28:19) (Why do we Baptize? // Blake Jennings, 16:58). There are no examples in the New Testament of believers not getting baptized - except the thief on the cross who couldn't because he was nailed to a cross (Why do we Baptize? // Blake Jennings, 17:19).

2. It Publicly Declares Allegiance to Jesus

Galatians 3:27 says that "all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ" (Why do we Baptize? // Blake Jennings, 19:05). Baptism is like a spiritual "signing day" where athletes put on team jerseys to publicly declare their allegiance (Why do we Baptize? // Blake Jennings, 19:52). It's the moment believers publicly demonstrate their allegiance to Jesus and declare they are on his team (Why do we Baptize? // Blake Jennings, 20:11).

Believer's Baptism vs. Infant Baptism

Grace Bible Church practices believer's baptism rather than infant baptism because infants cannot publicly declare their allegiance to Jesus (Why do we Baptize? // Blake Jennings, 20:43). Baptism requires a conscious choice to align oneself with Jesus, which babies cannot make (Why do we Baptize? // Blake Jennings, 21:02).

For those baptized as infants, the church encourages believer's baptism not to undo what parents did, but to complete what they started (Why do we Baptize? // Blake Jennings, 22:13). Parents baptized their children hoping they would come to follow Jesus - now that they do, believer's baptism fulfills that hope (Why do we Baptize? // Blake Jennings, 22:18).

The Significance of These Ordinances

For those being baptized, this ceremony represents one of the most momentous days of their lives (Why do we Baptize? // Blake Jennings, 2:21). According to Jesus and the New Testament, baptism is even more significant than a wedding day (Why do we Baptize? // Blake Jennings, 2:46). It marks and changes a person, making it a day they will never forget (Why do we Baptize? // Blake Jennings, 2:30).

Both baptism and communion serve as powerful reminders of what Christ has done and who believers are in him. They are not mere traditions but meaningful acts of worship and declaration that connect the church to its Savior and to one another in faith.