Summary StatementAt Longview Christian Church, we describe baptism through a humble reading of scripture. Baptism is an important component in the faith journey of believers, connecting them to the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus. We practice Baptism by immersion and celebrate this act of obedience with its eternal implications in community.
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The Biblical Example
"Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” - Matthew 28:19-20
"Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, "Brothers, what shall we do?" And Peter said to them, "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 2:37-38
"Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life." - Romans 6:3-4
"Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, "Brothers, what shall we do?" And Peter said to them, "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 2:37-38
"Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life." - Romans 6:3-4
The Picture at LCC
At Longview Christian Church baptism is practiced and taught as being by immersion upon a confession of faith in Jesus as Savior. Here baptism is practiced this way in efforts to model the mode outlined in Scripture. Going beneath and then coming out of the water is a powerful demonstration of a union with Christ in death and resurrection. Furthermore, the water symbolizes the spiritual washing received through the grace of God in Christ. Baptism serves as a covenantal symbol for the disciple, it is an act of obedience, and a public expression of the transformation that has begun and is ongoing in the believer.
When it comes to baptism, LCC understands there is a certain mystery that takes place in the life of the believer. Baptism is not an act that saves in and of itself, but it is clearly seen in scripture to be part of the salvation experience. We embrace the call and invitation of Peter’s words in Acts, “Repent and be baptized… for the forgiveness of your sins,” and Paul’s words in Ephesians, “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” True spiritual transformation is the work of God by grace through faith in Jesus Christ.
While we do not practice infant baptism, we do perform baby dedications. In these services, the parents, family members, and church dedicate themselves to raising the child in the gospel of Jesus Christ. We pray in earnest for each of these precious gifts to take their steps in obedience with Christ. We do not have a minimum age for who can be baptized, but we do look for authenticity in the confession and a certain level of understanding in each individual who desires to take this public step.
When it comes to baptism, LCC understands there is a certain mystery that takes place in the life of the believer. Baptism is not an act that saves in and of itself, but it is clearly seen in scripture to be part of the salvation experience. We embrace the call and invitation of Peter’s words in Acts, “Repent and be baptized… for the forgiveness of your sins,” and Paul’s words in Ephesians, “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” True spiritual transformation is the work of God by grace through faith in Jesus Christ.
While we do not practice infant baptism, we do perform baby dedications. In these services, the parents, family members, and church dedicate themselves to raising the child in the gospel of Jesus Christ. We pray in earnest for each of these precious gifts to take their steps in obedience with Christ. We do not have a minimum age for who can be baptized, but we do look for authenticity in the confession and a certain level of understanding in each individual who desires to take this public step.