Baptism

BAPTISM is not a sacrament by which grace is conferred upon sinners. Only the God of grace can confer grace; and he does it without the aid of man, by the irresistible, saving power of the Holy Spirit. Baptism does not save, or contribute anything to salvation. Baptism is “the answer of a good conscience toward God.” It is an act of obedience to Christ our Lord, who commands that all believers be buried with him in the watery grave to symbolically “fulfil all righteousness.” In the simplicity of this blessed ordinance, we identify ourselves with Christ, his gospel, and his people. See that you understand the seriousness of this blessed ordinance. By this symbolic act every baptized believer confesses these five things.

1. There is no other way of salvation for sinners except the death, burial and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ as the sinners’ Substitute, according to the Scriptures (1 Cor. 15:1-3).

2. I trust Christ alone as my Savior and Redeemer (Gal. 2:20). As he identified himself with me, I now identify myself with him in the watery grave as one who was crucified with him.

3. Rising up from this watery grave, I declare to all the world that I am risen from the death of sin with Christ, both judicially (when he arose for me) and experimentally (in the new birth) (Eph. 2:1-5).

4. I belong to Christ, as his voluntary servant, I give myself to him, from henceforth to walk with him in the newness of life by the power of his grace (Rom. 6:4-7).

5. Living by faith, I live in hope of the resurrection (Tit. 2:11-14).

Don Fortner