Our View on Baptism
Baptism is a positive command. Depending on whom you ask you will hear dozens of different traditions, teachings and opinions about the subject of baptism. Even though there are multiple opinions, there is only one truth that really matters---the truth found in the Bible. On that authority, subject, action and design, the Scripture are plain. Racine strives to model itself in accord with Scriptures. Please read the following statements for clarity on our understanding of baptism.
Who should be baptized?
All believers are candidates for baptism. Christ said, “Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved.” (Mark 16:16) Anyone willing to repent of their sins, and confess their belief in Jesus, should be baptized. (Matthew 28:19, Acts 2:38-39)
How should we be baptized?
To understand how we should be baptized is best determined by looking at the meaning of the word. The Greeks had, and have a word for immerse, one for sprinkle, and one for pour. Baptizo means dip or immerse, rantizo means to sprinkle, cheo means to pour. This is now the meaning of these words in Greek, and was also the meaning when Christ was on earth. Holy Scripture consistently uses the word baptizo, which means “immerse.”
The practice of sprinkling did not happen until 1500 years after Christ and the Apostles. Sprinkling was a man made decision based upon the doctrine of “original sin”. This doctrine stated that people are born into sin and therefore children must be sprinkled (baptized) or they would go to hell. We do not find that teaching in the Bible.
The Apostle Paul states that baptism represents the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ. We are buried with Christ by baptism. (Romans 6:4, Colossians 2:12) At Racine we baptize people by immersing them in water. This act symbolizes, according to Scripture, the burial, of the old self and the resurrection of a new life with Christ.
When should we be baptized?
A person should be baptized at the time he or she trusts in Christ. The Bible teaches we are saved by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8), moreover in the New Testament church, a person’s baptism was always the first expression of faith, not separate from it. So baptism was not just a memorial of faith, but was intended to offer a means of union with Christ and a benchmark of transformation, marking the place and time a person made a commitment to Christ. (Romans 6:1-8) At Racine we ask a person to be baptized at the point that he or she is ready to make a commitment to Christ.
As well, the Bible clearly teaches that a person should be baptized when he or she is capable of:
1.) Believing in Jesus Christ as his or her Savior, and 2.) when the individual is capable of repenting of sin. In Mark 16:16, Jesus said that whoever believes and is baptized will be saved. Jesus clearly indicates that a candidate for baptism must first have the capability of believing in Him. Moreover, in Acts 2:38, Peter preached that an individual must repent and be baptized. He means a person must first have the capability of repenting of sin. The word for “repent” in the New Testament means “to change the mind.” A candidate for baptism must believe that Jesus alone can save a person from sin, and intentionally decided to “change the mind” (i.e. repent) about sinful behavior.
Clearly, that helps us understand that little children (infants) are not likely candidates to be baptized. Because the commitment of baptism requires people to respond when they personally know they have sinned and need a Savior.
Why should we be baptized?
As commanded by Christ, every believer should be baptized. It is essential to becoming a Christ follower (Matthew 28:19). Furthermore, through baptism we are following Christ example (Matthew 3:13-17), accepting forgiveness of our sins (Acts 22:16), receiving the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38), expressing trust in Christ (Acts 8:12-13), and testifying to God’s work in our lives (Romans 6:1-8, Galatians 3:27).
The Holy Spirit prompts individual to recognize their sin and guilt, and the only way in which the human soul can be wiped of sin is through the blood of Jesus Christ (Hebrews 9:27-10:7). This “washing away” of sin is most clearly symbolized in baptism (Acts 22:16). Peter, the apostle, makes this powerful statement… “baptism now saves you, not the removal of dirt from the flesh, but an appeal to God for a good conscience—through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.” (I Peter 3:21) Every believer should be baptized. It is essential to becoming a Christ follower. It is essential to salvation.
Since one of the biggest obstacles between God and man is human pride, baptism also offers a venue by which believers humble themselves before God and others and admit their need for Christ’s redemption. (James 4:6) In addition, baptism meets a given human need for expression. Baptism is the scriptural expression of faith in Christ.
The act of baptism alone cannot save an individual. We are saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. We are saved only by accepting Christ’s sacrifice on the cross. Baptism is the point in time when we receive the benefits of our faith, the blessing of salvation, and the forgiveness of our sins. Those who are never baptized by immersion but were sprinkled for baptism as infants rest in God’s merciful hands. We hope that Jesus will say to any person who has truly submitted to Him but was not taught immersion, “Your faith has saved you.” Yet someone who understands Christ’s commands to be immersed and refuses to obey should not consider himself to have submitted to Christ.
Every biblical example of baptism is by immersion. That is why we turn the matter over to God. Anyone sprinkled as an infant can be grateful that their parents cared about their spiritual condition, but there comes a time to personally claim the faith yourself, and immersion is the appointed means.
Should we ever be rebaptized?
Any person who has trusted in Jesus as the only Son of God and who has willingly been immersed into Christ may become a member of Racine Christian whether the baptism occurred at this church or any other church. Rebaptism is allowed for those who lack the confidence in their initial baptism experience because they don’t remember it, they were coerced, or their heart was not right with God at the time. Anyone who has fallen into sin after having been baptized should repent and seek forgiveness, but rebaptism isn’t necessary. (Acts 8:13-24)
Must we be baptized during worship service?
No, in fact, the biblical model was “immediately (Acts 8:38, 16:33), yet baptisms during the worship services are encouraged because they provide the opportunity to testify to your faith and show humility.
Summary Statement
Paul exhorts all believers to unite, for we are al of “one Lord, one faith, one baptism.” (Ephesians 4:5) Regardless of your personal beliefs regarding the mode of baptism, it is important for all Christians to seek unity as representatives of Christ’s body. We believe the source of unity is the truth of God’s Word, and we pray that baptism will be a place of unity, not division, among believers. (John 17:17-21)
