• Baptism

    What we Believe

    Romans 6:2-4 New Living Translation (NLT)

    Since we have died to sin, how can we continue to live in it?

    Or have you forgotten that when we were joined with Christ Jesus in baptism,

    we joined him in his death? For we died and were buried with Christ by baptism. And just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious power of the Father, now we also may live new lives.

    Baptism - Immersion

    What is it?

     

    The immersion of the sinner (Romans 6:2-6) into the grave of water as direct response and obedient action toward God’s call to be a follower of Christ in accordance to His Word.

     

     

    Who Should Be Baptized?

     

    All those who hear the gospel and are willing to repent of their sins, confess their trust, commitment, and belief in Christ should be baptized (Matthew 28:19, Acts 2:38-39; Acts 19:1-7).It is not limited to a certain group of people as shown by the example of the first Gentiles accepted into the faith (Acts 10:34-47) and the conversion of one who put Christ followers to death, Paul (Acts 9:10-19)

    Why Should I Be Baptized?

    We should be baptized to follow Christ’s example (Matthew 3:13-17), to obey Christ’s command (Matthew 28:18), to accept forgiveness of sins (Acts2:38-47), to express trust in Christ (Acts 8:12-13), and it follows confession of belief and a repentant heart toward God.

    It also testifies to our union with Jesus in His death, burial and resurrection as a we look at God’s work in our lives (Romans 6:1-8; Galatians 3:27). Baptism serves as a “cleansing of a guilty conscience” (1 Peter 3:21). The Holy Spirit prompts individuals to recognize their sin and guilt. The “washing away” of sin through the blood of Jesus Christ (Hebrews 9:27-10:7).

    Baptism is the part of God’s plan that best expresses our obedience to Christ’s command to give away our life and clearly demonstrates our new commitment to Christ, in order to receive a new life in Christ and a clear conscience concerning sin (Acts 22:16; 1 Peter 3:18-21)

    Is there an age requirement?

    The Bible does not specify a certain age. At RCC, we believe someone should be mature enough to know the meaning of baptism including the desire to become committed to following Christ.Typically older youth and adults understand this better than younger children. At RCC, we do not baptize infants. Instead we ask parents to commit to raising their children for Christ (1 Samuel 1:21-29; Luke 2:21-24).

     

     

    Do I have to become a member to be baptized?

    Any person who has trusted in Jesus as the only Son of God, confessed and repented of their sins, and who has willingly been immersed into Christ is already part of the family of God. We do not baptize for membership nor do we require anything else for membership. Any immersed believer may become a member of RCC regardless of where they were baptized. If you were baptized at another location we simply ask you to either provide a letter or state your intention in front of the congregation at any service.

    When should I be baptized?

    A person should be baptized at the time he or she trusts in Christ as their savior and lord. The Bible teaches we are saved by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8), but in the New Testament church, a person’s baptism was always the first expression of faith, not separate from it. So baptism was not just a symbol or a memorial of faith, but was intended to offer a means of union with Christ and a benchmark of transformation, marking the place and time a person made a commitment to Christ (Romans 6:1-8). As a church we are attempting to keep to the original intent and practice of baptism according to the examples given to us in the New Testament. We believe that a person should be baptized at the point that they are ready to make a commitment to following Christ.

    What about being

    baptized again?

    Any person who has trusted in Jesus as the only Son of God, confessed and repented of their sins, and who has willingly been immersed into Christ is already part of the family of God. We do not baptize for membership nor do we require anything else for membership. Any immersed believer may become a member of RCC regardless of where they were baptized. If you were baptized at another location we simply ask you to either provide a letter or state your intention in front of the congregation at any service.

  • Additional Information

    It is not our desire to disregard other church’s particular beliefs regarding baptism, but it is important for Christ Followers to seek unity as part of the body of Christ (the church). We pray for unity, not division, among believers in baptism as well by attempting to follow the early church in their examples of baptism and obedience to Christ.