Ecclesiology: Ordinance of Baptism
Chris Hefner
What is the proper mode of baptism and when should someone be baptized?
Greek word for baptism is baptizo which means “to immerse”
Baptism is for believers
What about infant baptism (pedobaptism)?
There is not a specific example of pedobaptism in the Bible
Baptism is not in itself salvific
The intersection of baptism as a sacrament and pedobaptism can
lead someone to assume falsely that they are saved
Why does baptism matter?
Jesus modeled baptism (see the gospel accounts)
Jesus commanded baptism (Mt. 28:18-20)
Baptism is our public profession of our personal experience of salvation
Theological Takeaway: Baptism pictures the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus and serves as the outward picture of the believer’s identity with Jesus
Worship Takeaway: Baptism is an ordinance of the church for the purpose of retelling the gospel and thus should be a part of regular worship
Evangelistic Takeaway: While baptism itself doesn’t save, the regular practice in the church with the newly baptized believer is a consistent and important evangelistic message
Relational Takeaway: Baptism marks believers as family members and should connect them with a local church family to whom they belong
Reach out to us via email at: info@wilkesborobaptist.org