Baptism

Baptism... The first story we read in the gospels about Jesus as an adult is his baptism. The last thing Jesus said to his disciples before ascending into heaven was that they should go throughout the world making disciples and baptizing them. Baptism is obviously a very important activity in the New Testament.

Baptism is also a subject that christians don't all agree about. Here at Bristol Vineyard, we view it as a secondary issue, allowing some room for disagreement between sincere believers. We have, nonetheless, tried to be faithful to the Bible and faithful to what the church has done historically.

Here is how we would answer some of the most frequently asked questions about baptism:

1. You don't need to be baptized to enter into a saving relationship with Jesus. The Bible teaches that a person can enter into this relationship by turning away from sin and trusting Jesus with their life. "repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit." (Acts 1:38) in the Gospel of Luke (chapter 23), the thief on the cross recognized who Jesus was, reached out to him, and Jesus promised him salvation. That dying thief had no opportunity to be baptized, but had begun a relationship with Jesus.

2. You do need to be baptized to be obedient to Jesus. We are commanded to be baptized as part of being his disciples. "Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit." (Matt. 28:19) So, we don't get baptized when we 'feel like it', or when we 'get around to it'. Baptism is one of only two ordinances or rituals that Jesus commands us to observe for all time (the other being The Lord's Supper, or what is often called communion).

3. Baptism is a public profession of your faith. Baptism is done before a group of people who witness your declarationof faith in Jesus. Baptism is not the only way we profess to be a disciple of Jesus, but it is an important way.

4. Baptism symbolizes your cleansing from sin. Baptism throughout the New Testament indicated that a person had 'repented' or turned away from sin. The apostles often referred to the fact that believers were washed from sin. Peter stated that the water in baptism symbolized not the cleansing of the body from dirt, but the cleansing of the conscience (1 Peter 3:21).

5. Baptism symbolizes your union with Jesus in his death, burial and resurrection. When you become a disciple, you decide to give up your old way of life and begin a whole new life. Romans 6:8 states, "Now if we died with christ, we believe that we will also live with him." The very act of baptism (being immersed in, and coming up out of, water) is a picture of what happens to you spiritually when you become a disciple: your old life passes away, you are re-born, and you begin to live your life in the reality of the Tritinarian God now living in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.

When should I be baptized?
You should be baptized as soon as possible after you have decided to follow Jesus and be his disciple. Remember, we are not baptized in order to become a disciple; we are baptized because we are disciples. We should not put off baptism, since it is a command of Jesus.

What about babies?
Throughout history, the church has been at odds over the act of baby baptism. At Bristol Vineyard we do not see this as a central issue to debate over. Therefore, we either baptize or dedicate babies based upon the preference of the parents. it is an act of worship and consecration when parents present their children to God. It is a wonderful community practice which we would encourage parents to consider when they have a baby.

What next?
Baby dedications or baptisms can be booked for the first Sunday of each month; adult baptisms are held periodically throughout the year. Please contact the church office for further information.