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The Biblical Example
"Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John, to be baptized by him. John would have prevented him, saying, "I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?" But Jesus answered him, "Let it be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness." Then he consented. And when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him; and behold, a voice from heaven said, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased." - Matthew 3:13-17
"Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, "Brothers, whatshall 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, whatshall 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 by immersion upon confession of faith in Jesus as Savior. While we believe the mode of baptism is important as it follows the model most clearly given in Scripture, the confession of faith in Jesus upon baptism is key. Therefore, if a candidate for membership prior to coming to LCC confessed their faith in Jesus Christ and was baptized by another method, LCC will honor their baptism for membership because of their confession.
Baptism signifies our union with Christ and thus God’s love for us. 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 by 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 an inward grace that has taken root in the believer.
When it comes to baptism, LCC understands there is a certain mystery that takes place in thelife of the believer. We practice baptism as an act of faith through obedience while understanding the tension 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 beensaved 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.” We do not believe that the act of water baptism offers remission for sins or that it regenerates the person’s heart causing them to be born again and spiritually joined with Christ. 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.
Baptism signifies our union with Christ and thus God’s love for us. 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 by 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 an inward grace that has taken root in the believer.
When it comes to baptism, LCC understands there is a certain mystery that takes place in thelife of the believer. We practice baptism as an act of faith through obedience while understanding the tension 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 beensaved 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.” We do not believe that the act of water baptism offers remission for sins or that it regenerates the person’s heart causing them to be born again and spiritually joined with Christ. 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.