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Baptism
By baptism we confess our faith in the death
and resurrection of Jesus Christ, and testify of our death to sin and of
our purpose to walk in newness of life. Thus we acknowledge Christ as Lord
and Saviour, become His people, and are received as members by His church.
Baptism is a symbol of our union with Christ, the forgiveness of our sins,
and our reception of the Holy Spirit. It is by immersion in water and is
contingent on an affirmation of faith in Jesus and evidence of repentance
of sin. It follows instruction in the Holy Scriptures and acceptance of
their teachings.
Romans
6:1-6
1
What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound?
2 By no means! How can we who
died to sin still live in it? 3
Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus
were baptized into his death? 4
We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, so that as Christ
was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in
newness of life. 5 For if we
have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be
united with him in a resurrection like his. 6
We know that our old self was crucified with him so that the sinful body
might be destroyed, and we might no longer be enslaved to sin.
Colossians
2:12, 13
12
and you were buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised
with him through faith in the working of God, who raised him from the
dead. 13 And you, who were dead in
trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together
with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses
Acts 16:30-33; 22:16; 2:38
(16) 30
and brought them out and said, "Men, what must I do to be saved?"
31 And they said, "Believe in the
Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household."
32 And they spoke the word of the
Lord to him and to all that were in his house. 33
And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their wounds,
and he was baptized at once, with all his family.
(22)
16
And now why do you wait? Rise and be baptized, and wash away your sins,
calling on his name.'
(2) 38
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 shall
receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Matthew 28:19, 20
19
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,
20 teaching them to observe all
that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, to the close of
the age."
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