Baptism

What is baptism?

Baptism is participation in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.  As Paul says in Romans 6:4-5, “We were therefore buried with [Christ] through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life… united with him in a resurrection like his.”  Baptism is an outward and visible sign of God’s inward and spiritual grace, which marks us as disciples of Christ and signifies our salvation by his cross and resurrection.

Why do we baptize?

We are baptized for the forgiveness of our sin through Jesus Christ, and to receive power for holy living through the Holy Spirit.  Peter said on the day of Pentecost, “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 2:38).

Who is baptism for?

Baptism is available to everyone who believes in Jesus.  According to Acts 2:39, “The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.”  The only thing required to receive baptism is repentance of sin, and faith in Jesus.

How is baptism related to salvation?

In I Peter 3, baptism is compared to Noah’s flood, which God sent to wash away evil and unrighteousness from the earth.  Likewise, baptism washes us of our sin.  Peter says, “This water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also—not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a clear conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ (I Pet 3:21).  That is, baptism is a sign of our salvation.  We are saved not by water, but by the power of the Spirit of God and the resurrection of Jesus.  “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith” (Eph 2:8).

The role of God

We are baptized, in accordance with the command of Christ, in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (Matt 28:19).  By his grace and mercy, in our baptism God washes us of our sin, initiates us into the Church of Jesus, incorporates us into salvation history, gives us new birth, and grants us the power of the Holy Spirit for living the Christian life and being a missionary for Jesus.

The role of the Church

At the time of baptism, as a Church, we renew our vows to faithfulness to Jesus Christ, and make a promise to love and serve the one being baptized, to train them to follow Jesus, and to show them the way of eternal life.  

The role of the person being baptized

The role of the person being baptized is to repent of sin, confess faith in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord, and commit to the common life and ministry of Timberlake Church, made visible through worship, discipleship, service, and financial giving.  See the membership vows below.

The role of the family in the case of infant baptism

In keeping with the teaching of the Bible, and the practice of the majority of the Christian Church throughout its history, Timberlake offers, but does not require, the baptism of young children.  In God’s covenant with Israel, children at the age of eight days were given the sign of the covenant, circumcision (Gen 17:11).  Likewise, we mark children, and people of all ages, with the sign of the New Covenant in Christ Jesus, that is, baptism.

In the case of the baptism of children too young to profess faith for themselves, the parents profess faith on their behalf.  As they become adolescents, such children are expected to participate in confirmation class, through which they are taught the goodness of God, the wisdom of the Scriptures, and are afterward invited to make their own profession of faith, if they have not already done so.

Baptism & Church Membership

Baptism and church membership go together, absolutely and always.  Baptism is initiation into the body of Christ, of which we are members; there is no membership without baptism.  Likewise, there is no baptism without membership; every person being baptized is expected to make and keep the vows of church membership.  

When a person who has previously been baptized wishes to join Timberlake as a member, Timberlake accepts and celebrates that baptism.  We do not re-baptize, but we do invite persons to remember their baptism, if they wish.  As Ephesians 4:5 says, “[There is] one Lord, one faith, one baptism.”

Method

Baptism may be done in one of three methods – immersion, pouring, or sprinkling – according to the preference of the baptized, and the availability of the baptismal font.  All three methods are Biblical:

• Immersion: “Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and Philip baptized him” (Acts 8:38).

• Pouring: “I will pour out my Spirit on all people” (Acts 2:17).

• Sprinkling: “I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your impurities and from all your idols” (Ezekiel 36:25).

Process

1. Candidate attends Starting Point, or in case of a youth, participates in Confirmation Class

2. Candidate meets with a Timberlake pastor or minister to share his/her faith story, discuss our theology of baptism, and review the baptismal vows

3. Candidate writes or speaks his/her faith story to be shared with congregation

4. Candidate professes faith and is baptized in the context of Timberlake corporate worship

Schedule & Timing

Timberlake baptizes and receives members on the third Sunday of the month.  Immersion baptism, in particular, is conducted on third Sundays every other month.

Timberlake baptism liturgy 

Introduction 

Brothers and sisters in Christ; 

Through the sacrament of Baptism

And through the commitment of Church Membership

We are initiated into Christ’s holy church.

We are incorporated into God’s mighty acts of salvation

And given new birth through water and the Spirit.

All this is God’s gift, offered to us without price.

Vows of faith and membership

• Do you repent of your sin?  (I do.)

• Do you confess Jesus Christ as your Savior, and promise to serve him as your Lord? (I do.)

• As a baptized follower of Jesus, will you remain a faithful member of his Church? (I will.)

• As a member of Timberlake, will you remain committed to worship, discipleship, service, and financial giving?  (I will.)