Baptism

 Baptism is the first public step of obedience to Christ. Baptism is the initiation and beginning of the Christian life. Baptism is only for the individual who has received the saving benefits of Christ’s atoning work through trust in Christ, repentance from sin, and a commitment to become His disciple. Therefore, in obedience to Christ’s command and as a testimony to God, the church, oneself, and the world, a believer should be baptized by the Church in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Water Baptism is a visual and symbolic demonstration of a person’s union with Christ in the likeness of His death, burial, and resurrection. Immersion is the only acceptable form of Baptism found in the scriptures, because it signifies that a person’s former way of life has been put to death and vividly depicts a person’s release from the mastery of sin. Baptism also shows that the person being baptized recognizes and understands the significance of the Gospel truth that Salvation is by faith in the atoning work of Christ, and a reliance upon Him to raise us from the dead. 

Before your baptism, we offer a special class designed to answer your questions about this ordinance. The class is a discussion of the biblical significance of baptism. The class also covers several frequently asked questions, all the logistical details of a baptism service, and gives you an opportunity to share your testimony.

A Few Specifics You Should Know

• The Baptism Class is not regularly offered. It is offered only as individuals come forward and express an interest and desire to begin a relationship with Christ or to be baptized as a result of their faith in Christ. If you are interested in knowing more about Baptism please speak to one of the Elders this Sunday, and they will arrange for a class to be held or inform you about the next scheduled class.
• All baptism candidates at the Bridge are required to take the Baptism Class prior to their public baptism.
• Attendance at the Baptism Class does not require you to actually be baptized if you are not ready to do so. If you would simply like more information about our beliefs concerning this ordinance or a chance to ask more questions, please feel free to sign-up and attend.
• If, as a believer, you were baptized prior to your attendance at the Bridge, we do not require you to be baptized again, unless your baptism preceded your conversion to Christ or was not by total immersion in water.
• The Bridge Church will not baptize anyone who is not interested in joining with The Bridge Church in Membership and agreeing to the specifics of the Membership Covenant. If an individual desires Baptism it is the responsibility of the church to insure that the prospective baptismal candidate has a sincere desire to walk with God and to honor and obey God prior to confering baptism upon the baptismal candidate. God’s intention for the act of Baptism is that it serve as an initiation into the Church family as a full-fledged member. If an individual desires baptism but does not desire to unite with the church family, then the individual desires Baptism for the wrong reasons. God’s will is that every believer be joined with a church family.