Baptism: Taking Faith Public
Believer's baptism is considered the first step of obedience for a new disciple of Jesus Christ. It's a public declaration of faith and a symbolic act of obedience to Christ's command to make and baptize disciples.
What We Believe About Baptism
Water baptism is an outward visible act meant to depict the inward spiritual reality that has been made possible through the saving work of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Baptism, What & Why?
Baptism is the first ordinance administered and observed by local churches to disciples of Jesus—observed once by each disciple—whereby he or she, ideally shortly after conversion, publicly testifies to faith in Christ and joint union with Christ and His people—thereby publicly committing to Christ and His people. We see baptism as the first ordinance observed by believers in passages like Matthew 28:19, Acts 2:38, 41.
Water baptism does not in any way aid in the work of salvation. Salvation is by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone. In the end, to be baptized is to be faithful to follow the command of the Lord Jesus (Matthew 28:19-20) and is the observable pattern seen so clearly in the book of Acts. It provides believers the privilege to publicly declare before a gathering of witnesses the work of grace God has performed in the heart. Not only that, but also one’s public profession of faith in Jesus may be what God uses to draw someone else to salvation in Jesus.
Believer's Baptism
Since baptism uniquely depicts initiation into the Christian life, GBC does not baptize infants, but only those who have professed faith in Christ. If you were baptized as an infant, we would ask that—in obedience to Scripture and as part of becoming a member of GBC—you be baptized as a believer.
Baptismal Participant
Any person who clearly understands and has clearly responded to the Gospel message through repentance of sins and faith in Jesus Christ alone for their salvation ought to be baptized. (The Gospel message as summarized in 1 Corinthians 15:3-4. Note, in the book of Acts, the issue is understanding and response: Acts 2:41, Acts 8:12, Acts 16:31-33, and Acts 18:8.). Since baptism is both an act of personal testimony of faith and the church’s affirmation and celebration of that faith, we also believe it to be biblically appropriate for there to be some measure of visible fruit in the lives of those who have clearly responded to the Gospel (e.g., Eph. 2:10; Gal. 5:22-23). We understand that this will look different for children versus adults.
Baptism & Membership
We believe the New Testament links baptism and membership (see the Discover booklet, Lesson 5). Because of this, we do not baptize adults who do not desire to commit to membership. In unique circumstances, we would baptize an adult if they are unable to covenant with GBC in membership, yet are soon to do so with another biblical church. With that, adults preparing for baptism should attend a Discover class.
Children & Youth (Minors)
We believe minors can be genuine participants of baptism, because we believe God can and does save children and youth. With that said, we also believe that the evidence and fruit of their conversion should and will look very different from adults; this is to be expected with less life lived out. With that, we believe there is a necessity to walk alongside parents to help them and the elders to discern God’s saving activity and for there to be appropriate teaching for them as children who are now spiritually united to Jesus and a part of God’s family. However, unlike with adults, we would not require or expect formal Covenant Membership. As they near adulthood, we will engage with them on the expectation of formalizing Covenant Membership. There is a separate age-appropriate baptism class for minors.