We believe water baptism is a demonstration of the union with Christ a believer is given at salvation; being united with Christ's death (unto cleansing and freedom from sin's condemnation and dominion), and with Christ's resurrection (to walk in newness of life). Baptism also demonstrates the believer's placement in to the Family of God, the Church. Faith in Christ, and repentance of sin, being a part of the Spirit's work in regeneration, must therefore precede baptism. We practice baptism by immersion in water (a vivid illustration of Christ's death and resurrection), in the Name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, as the Lord commanded. [Please see our Statement of Faith for Scriptural basis.]
OUR BELIEF ABOUT BAPTISM
Baptism demonstrates the union with Jesus Chris a believer receives at salvation. At salvation the believer is spiritually placed into Jesus Christ. This union with Christ means that Jesus' death for sin becomes theirs, and His resurrection to new life become theirs; they are cleansed from sin's guilt, and freed from sin's dominion.
Baptism demonstrates the believer's placement into the Family of God and their connection with a local church. This resurrection to new life is a resurrection into a new family, God's family, an eternal family.
Baptism is to be a step of obedience to Christ that is taken by all those who have placed their trust in Christ as the God man who paid for their sins on the cross and rose from the grave to give them new, eternal life. Baptism does not save, Jesus Christ saves. Nor is baptism necessary for salvation. Salvation is by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone.
OUR PRACTICE OF BAPTISM
Our practice of baptism is to immerse in water. This practice is informed by our belief about baptism as taught in the Bible and demonstrated in the Bible.
Baptism by immersion provides a vivid picture of the death and resurrection of Jesus, and the believers union with Jesus in His death and resurrection. This does not mean that those who have been baptized by sprinkling, after they trusted in Christ, are not saved. We simply believe that immersion provides a better symbol of what does save. The context surrounding the baptisms in Scripture also suggests that the practice of Christian baptism in the New Testament was by immersion.
INFANTS: BAPTISM OR DEDICATION
We encourage parents with infants to participate in a dedication ceremony of their children to the Lord. A biblical precedence for this is seen in the Gospel of Mark as parents brought their children to Jesus to touch and bless them.
"And He took them in His arms and blessed them, laying His hands on them". Mark 10:16
At a ceremony of dedication (during a Sunday service) parents bring their children before the church as an act of dedicating them to the Lord and committing themselves to raise them with God's truth and point them to God's Son as Savior.
Baptism is an act of obedience and a statement of faith on the part of the one being baptized. If you were baptized as an infant or toddler, it was the intent of your parents that you would one day be a follower of Jesus. Therefore, your baptism as an adult can be seen as the fulfillment of your parent's desires for you. It does not negate the actions of your parents, it compliments them.
OUR PROCESS FOR BAPTISM
If you are interested in getting baptized or have more questions, please contact the church office by calling 907-349-8442 or emailing office@akcornerstone.org.
