Baptism
At EFBC, we believe that baptism is an important part of the Christian walk. We want to encourage you to take a few minutes to reflect on what baptism is and what it means for you and the community around you.
Baptism is a picture of salvation. Baptism is an outward sign of an inward reality. It is a physical picture to others of what has already occurred in the life of someone who has placed their faith in Jesus Christ. In Romans 6:3-4 Paul says, “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.” As such, the physical act of baptism pictures what happens spiritually at the moment of salvation – the death and burial of sin with a resurrection into newness of life. By following Christ in baptism we are not only reminded of His sacrifice for us, but we act as a visible testimony to others of the sacrifice Christ made for them.
Baptism is an act of obedience to Jesus Christ. Baptism is an important part of the Christian walk because Christ both modeled it and commanded it in His ministry. Christ, Himself, was baptized in order to identify Himself as the Son of God and associate Himself with God’s purpose and mission. As we follow the example of Christ in baptism, we identify ourselves with Him and commit ourselves to walking as He walked (Col. 2: 12; 1 Jn. 2:6). Moreover, in His last appearance to the disciples after His resurrection, Jesus commanded them to, “…go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you” (Matthew 28:19-20a). Clearly, Christ intended that everyone who believes in Him should also be baptized. Consequently, baptism immediately became the public sign of every believer’s entry into the Christian community (see Acts 2:41, for example).
Baptism is not necessary for salvation. The New Testament clearly teaches (in over 200 instances) that salvation is based on faith alone in Jesus Christ apart from any other action. (Jn. 3:16; Eph. 2:8-9) No New Testament passage ever teaches that baptism is necessary for salvation. The thief on the cross illustrates this truth best, when Christ said to him based only on his profession of faith, “...today, you will be with me in paradise” (Luke 23:43b). Again, baptism is a physical picture of what has already happened in the life of those who have placed their faith in Jesus Christ.
We practice baptism by immersion. We encourage this method of water baptism by immersion because it most clearly shows the meaning of baptism as identification with Christ in His death, burial and resurrection. We are happy to discuss other avenues for those with physical disabilities or illness.
