Baptism FAQ

• Christ was baptized and so set the example - Matt. 3:16
• Christ commanded that His followers be baptized - Matt. 28:19
• Baptism was very important in the activity of the early church -

• In a word. NO!
• Salvation is by the grace of God alone through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. We attain this grace by means of faith , not by works . See Ephesians 2:8-10 and Romans 10:9.
• Baptismal Regeneration is the belief that baptism is required for salvation. The Bible does not teach this. Notice thief on the cross. Jesus said that he would be with Him in paradise, but there was no baptism (Lk 23:39 -43).
• Baptism is an ordinance that symbolizes the salvation that has already been accomplished in our lives by spiritual baptism (see next question).
• Romans 6:3-7, speaking of Spiritual baptism, illustrates the meaning of water baptism. Our baptism is a demonstration to observers (including ourselves) that we have become identified, associated, joined to Jesus Christ.
• It is a public testimony that the believer has been united to Christ by faith in His death and resurrection. It is where the believer confesses Christ before others.

• The baptism of the Holy Spirit occurs at the point of salvation . See 1 Corinthians 12:13. The Spirit indwells the believer, regenerating the believer, leading the believer to truth about Christ, and empowering the believer to do good works.
• Three main results happen by the baptism of the Holy Spirit
1. The believer is placed into the family of God - a union with all believers in Jesus Christ
2. The believer is placed into union with Jesus Christ (John 14:20b).
3. He is identified in what Christ did in His death, burial, and resurrection (Romans 6:3-7)

• Water baptism occurs after salvation. It is a symbolic reflection of what happened when baptized by the Spirit. Spirit baptism is inward and invisible, where water baptism is an outward expression of that faith.

• The Bible does not give any explicit examples of infants being baptized.
• The Bible does not tell us explicitly to baptize infants.
• The pattern in the Bible is that believers are baptized after they make a conscious decision to trust Christ for their salvation (Acts 2:38 ). Young children may be baptized, but infants clearly cannot.

• The New Testament was written primarily in Greek. While the Greek has words for sprinkle and pour , the biblical authors instead used the word baptize , which means to immerse .
• Jesus was baptized by John "in the Jordan ," and He came up "out of the water" (Mark 1:9, 10). Ethiopian eunuch went down into the water with Peter (Acts 8:38 ).
• The early church practiced immersion as well.
• Immersion best illustrates the truth of death and resurrection of Romans 6.

• The teacher will explain normal baptism procedure.
• Tammy Harris will get you information about what to wear, when to show up, which service, etc. If you need to reach her, contact her at (714) 973-4800 ext. 342.

• 
  Membership FAQ
  
• Baptism FAQ

For more information on being baptized at Calvary, call Tammy Harris at (714) 973-4800 ext. 342 or email her at tharris@calvarylife.org