Baptisms

…I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

Baptism is part of Jesus command to go into the world and make disciples. It tells us that through Baptism we become part of the Body of Christ, the Church. It represents our new birth as followers of Jesus and begins a covenant with God that declares we are adopted as His children by grace. Our promise is to act with love through faithful obedience.

The water reminds us of our birth into the world, symbolizing our new spiritual birth. Following the example of early Christians we offer three modes of baptism—immersion, sprinkling, and pouring.

Infants are often presented by their parents/guardians for baptism and covenant with God to raise the child to understand the saving grace of God through Jesus. When the child is old enough to confirm that covenant with God for themselves they will reaffirm their baptism through a personal profession of their faith and become part of the body of professing members.

Because Baptism is an affirmation that we are saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ there is no need for re-baptism. God’s grace is sufficient once and for all. Because we are prone to stray from our promise, we encourage each one to regularly remember and reaffirm their baptism—as a reminder that our sin has been removed by the grace and mercy of our Lord and we should live as new creations each and every day. We acknowledge the act of baptism by other Christian churches.