Baptism
We often assume members and guests know why we do what we do. That assumption can leave people confused about our practices.
To answer the question, “Why do we do that?” the elders will offer short articles on parts of our worship services. Each article will explain what we do, why we do it, and whether Scripture commands the practice or leaves it to Christian freedom. We begin with baptism at CFNW.
What We Do
As I write, I look forward to Sunday, when we will baptize two new believers. CFNW meets in an old Presbyterian church without a built-in baptistry, so we set up a metal basin and fill it with water on Saturday night. On Sunday morning, we gather and hope the water is not too cold.
We usually baptize after the first song. A pastor introduces the person, who then shares a confession of faith and testimony of God’s salvation. After confessing faith in Christ, the person enters the water.
The pastor usually says three things while baptizing:
“Based on your profession of faith…”
“I baptize you in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit…”
“Buried in the likeness of Christ’s death” [while immersing the person]; “Raised in the likeness of his resurrection” [while raising the person].
At times, the elders allow other church members to assist with baptism. In every case, the elders oversee and take responsibility for it.
After the baptism, a pastor thanks God for saving another person and adding to his kingdom by his grace.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Why do we baptize?
Our statement of faith calls baptism an ordinance of the church. God commands the church to baptize, so we baptize in obedience.
CFNW Statement of Faith
The Lord instituted two specific ordinances to the Church: baptism and the Lord’s Supper. The act of baptism is obligatory on every believer, and is the initial means by which those who have repented display their union with Christ in His death and resurrection and their forgiveness of sins by being immersed in water in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. This symbol of fellowship with Christ and with His Church is a prerequisite for membership in this church.
2. Why do we baptize by immersion?
Scripture gives two main reasons for baptism by immersion. First, detailed baptism accounts describe people going “down into” the water and coming “up out of” it, suggesting immersion (Mt. 3:16; Mk.1:9-10; Acts 8:36-39).
Second, immersion best pictures our union with Christ in death and resurrection. We are buried in the water like one dead, then raised from it to walk in Christ’s life (Rom. 6:3-4; Col. 2:12).
3. Why does each person share a testimony?
God commands the church to baptize disciples:
Matthew 28:19-20
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…
Disciples are those who hear the gospel, believe, and repent.
In the first recorded instance of the church baptizing disciples, they limited baptism to those who confessed faith and repentance:
Acts 2:38-41
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. For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself” …So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls…
The church baptizes those who respond to the gospel with repentance and faith. A public confession gives the reason for baptism. Without it, baptism would not be warranted.
The testimony also connects baptism to its meaning. Baptism marks off Christians from the world. It shows that we believe the gospel, identify with Jesus, and have received new life from God. We cannot see Christ raise a person spiritually, but we can hear that person confess the truth and see him or her follow Christ into baptism.
4. Why do pastors oversee baptism?
God gives the church authority to receive and remove members based on a credible confession of faith. When the church finds that confession credible, it should baptize the disciple and welcome him into its number.
Acts 2:41
Those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls.
Pastors have a special responsibility to lead the church in using this authority. The whole church shares the responsibility, but the elders lead by meeting with those who desire baptism. They guard the flock by discerning, as best they can, whether a person confesses the truth about God and his or her own sin.
A pastor usually performs the baptism, but we have allowed fathers who are also members of CFNW to perform the baptism. Here are a few factors to consider:
CFNW has accepted this practice from the beginning.
The Bible does not prescribe who can and cannot baptize.
Since baptism belongs to the church, the one baptizing should share in the church’s authority and responsibility.
When a father participates in baptizing his children, the church is reminded of God’s design that fathers as the head of their homes have a responsibility to teach their children and train them in the truth. The child’s confession is a testimony to God’s faithfulness in using faithful fathers to bring about faith and repentance in their children.
Because elders have a unique role, baptism should happen under their oversight. In baptizing his child, the father does not act independently from the elder.
The congregation relies on the elders’ leadership, but it also affirms and receives those being baptized. The church listens to the confession of faith and joins in the baptism. For this reason, we baptize when the church is gathered. We do not baptize at student camp or in private small-group settings. Baptism is the church’s response to a credible confession of faith—an act of the congregation led by the elders.
5. Why does the pastor say these words?
Each line points to an important truth, and repeating them keeps those truths before us. First, we baptize in response to a person’s confession of faith. Baptism does not save, and water does not regenerate. The church baptizes when it sees evidence of new life—especially the confession that Jesus is Lord and Savior.
Second, the church acts under the authority of the Father, Son, and Spirit. The church acts, but not alone. God builds, welcomes, and guards his church. Our words, “in the name of the Father, Son, and Spirit,” remind us that baptism is more than a human act; God’s authority is present.
Third, “buried in the likeness of Christ’s death, and raised in the likeness of Christ’s resurrection” puts into words what baptism shows. We often lose the meaning of symbols and rituals without reminders. Baptism is more than a symbol, but not less than one. It pictures our death in sin and our new life in Christ. The person being baptized visibly displays God’s invisible work.