Baptism
Believer’s baptism represents conversion (or justification) and not Christian maturity (or sanctification). Our beliefs about baptism are the fundamental framework that gives us cause for great joy! Here’s what we believe baptism represents, and why it is so life-changing for the church.
Interested in baptism? Reach out here.
Feeling God’s call to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ? It only takes a few seconds to take the first step. Simply put your contact information in this form, and we’ll reach out to you. Feel free to add as much or as little detail as you’d like.
Why we believe in baptism
In short, believer’s baptism represents conversion (or justification) and not Christian maturity (or sanctification). As soon as someone is saved he or she is a candidate to be baptized. Just as there is no moral bar to get over to accepting Jesus, there is no moral bar for being baptized. Therefore, it is proper to baptize any person who genuinely accepts Jesus as Lord and Savior regardless of their current sins or sinful lifestyle. This means any “sinner” that accepts Jesus is saved and can be baptized at our Fearless Family of Churches or any church that follows the New Testament teaching on this.
What the Bible says about baptism
Why does believer’s baptism follow conversion? Baptism is a symbol of conversion. Literally, it mimics Jesus’s death and resurrection. First we go under the water (death to the old life of living independently from God), and then come out of the water (resurrection to a new life of living with God in his Kingdom).
Romans 6:3-4 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.
Believer’s baptism also symbolizes that we have become part of God’s community.
Galatians 3:27-28 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
While there is no vetting for particular sins or sinful lifestyles at conversion or baptism, people accepting Jesus do so with the understanding that Jesus now is their Lord and has a right to their lives and obedience.
We welcome anyone who has been baptized as infant or child and has since accepted Jesus as Savior and Lord to be baptized.
Baptism classes
At our Fearless Family of Churches, many of the people who are baptized attend a class two weeks prior to the planned Baptism Services. However, we also invite those who spontaneously decide to be baptized during the service to come forward. (Learn more about what to expect during a Baptism Service in our Baptism Booklet. See below.) If you know before the service that you want to come forward to be baptized, please contact us.
Interested in baptism? Reach out here.
Feeling God’s call to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ? It only takes a few seconds to take the first step. Simply put your contact information in this form, and we’ll reach out to you. Feel free to add as much or as little detail as you’d like.
