BAPTISM
Your First Public
Step of Obedience
Baptism does not save a person. It is the biblical testimony of someone who has already trusted Jesus Christ as Saviour and desires to follow Him openly.
WHAT IS BAPTISM?
A Public Identification with Jesus Christ
Biblical baptism is the immersion of a believer in water after salvation.
It is an act of obedience that publicly identifies the believer with the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Baptism is not a religious ceremony that produces salvation. It is the testimony of someone who has already been saved and is choosing to follow the Lord.
FOLLOWING CHRIST
“Then they that gladly received his word were baptized...”
Acts 2:41 — KJV
WHO SHOULD BE BAPTIZED?
Believers
In the New Testament, people believed the Gospel first and were baptized afterward.
Hear the Gospel
A person first hears and understands the good news of Jesus Christ.
Believe on Christ
The person personally trusts Jesus Christ as Saviour.
Be Baptized
After salvation, the believer follows Christ in scriptural baptism.
WHY IMMERSION?
Baptism Pictures the Gospel
The mode of baptism matters because the picture matters.
Going down into the water pictures Christ's burial. Coming up out of the water pictures His resurrection and the believer's new life in Him.
“Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.”
A LIVING PICTURE
Death. Burial. Resurrection.
New Life in Christ.
Baptism is a public testimony that your old life is behind you and that you now desire to walk with Jesus Christ.
IMPORTANT TO UNDERSTAND
What Baptism Does Not Do
Baptism is important, but it must never be confused with salvation.
Baptism Does Not Save
Salvation is by grace through faith in Jesus Christ, not through water baptism.
Baptism Does Not Remove Sin
The blood of Jesus Christ cleanses from sin. Baptism is a testimony of that salvation.
Baptism Does Not Replace Faith
A person must personally trust Jesus Christ before baptism has biblical meaning.
BAPTISM & MEMBERSHIP
Baptism Identifies the Believer with the Local Church
At Rockwall Baptist Church, one of the three paths to local church membership is salvation and baptism.
A person who is saved and then scripturally baptized is publicly identifying with Christ and with the local body of believers.
Baptism is therefore both a personal act of obedience and an important step in becoming part of the local church.
Learn About MembershipONE OF THREE PATHS
Salvation & Baptism
For someone who is saved now, believer's baptism is the biblical path into membership of the local church body.
COMMON QUESTIONS
Questions About Baptism
What if I Was Baptized as a Baby?
In Scripture, baptism follows personal faith in Jesus Christ. Because an infant cannot personally believe the Gospel, infant baptism is not the believer's baptism taught in the New Testament.
What if I Was Baptized Before I Was Saved?
Biblical baptism follows salvation. If a person was baptized before truly trusting Christ, that act did not represent believer's baptism and should be followed by scriptural baptism after salvation.
Do I Have to Be Perfect First?
No. Baptism is not a reward for spiritual maturity. It is an early step of obedience for someone who has already trusted Christ.
What if I Am Nervous?
That is understandable. We will explain what to expect, answer your questions, and walk through the process with you beforehand.
READY TO BE BAPTIZED?
Here Is What to Do Next
If you have trusted Christ and have not yet been scripturally baptized, we would be glad to help you take that step.
Talk with Us
Let Pastor Tony or another church leader know that you are interested in baptism.
Share Your Testimony
We will talk with you about your salvation and make sure you understand biblical baptism.
Be Baptized
Follow the Lord publicly in baptism before the church family.
NOT SURE YOU ARE SAVED?
Start with Jesus Christ
Baptism is not the first step. Salvation is.
If you are unsure whether you have personally trusted Jesus Christ as Saviour, settle that question first.
We would be glad to show you from the Bible how you can know that your sins are forgiven and that you have eternal life.
Are You Saved?BELIEVE FIRST
“Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved.”
Acts 16:31 — KJV
TAKE THE NEXT STEP
Have You Trusted Christ but Never Been Baptized?
We would be glad to help you understand and follow the Lord in believer's baptism.