Symbols Of Salvation

Baptism

What is the importance of baptism?

  • We at CRC believe that water baptism is an essential and necessary part of the "doctrine of baptisms". According to the Bible, water baptism is an outward testimony of what has occurred inwardly in the life of the believer. Baptism is also a public confession of our faith in Christ, and a witness to all that observe it. Jesus Himself gave us an example (Matt 3:12-16; 1 Pet. 2:21). The Lord taught the significance of baptism to the extent that He Himself was baptized by John the Baptist at the start of His ministry (Mark 1:9). We believe that Christ commanded all to be baptized for these reasons (Matt. 28:19).

What are the requirements for baptism?

  • Before we can be baptized we must come to believe that we are sinners in need of salvation (Romans 3:23). We must also believe that Christ died on the cross to atone for our sins, that He was buried, and that He was resurrected to assure our place in heaven (1 Corinthians 15:1-4). We then turn to Jesus, asking Him to forgive our sins and to be our Lord and Savior, and the moment we do that we are born again, our eternal salvation is guaranteed, and we begin to die to ourselves and live for Christ (1 Peter 1:3-5). At this time we are qualified to be scripturally baptized.

What is the symbolism of water baptism?

  • Water Baptism symbolizes salvation by showing a believer’s death (going into the water), burial (going under the water), and resurrection (coming up out of the water). Baptism is also a public confession of our faith in Christ, and a witness to all that observe it. Jesus himself gave us an example (Ref: Matt 3:13-16; 1 Peter 2:21). The Bible declares, “Or don't you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with Him 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” (Rom. 6:3-4).

Why baptism by immersion?

  • The simplest answer to this question is found in the meaning of the word “baptize.” It comes from a Greek word which means “to submerge in water.” Baptism, by its inherent definition, must be an act of immersion in water.

  • The ordinance of baptism by immersion is commanded in the Scriptures. All who repent and believe in Christ as Savior and Lord are to be baptized. Thus they declare to the world that they have died with Christ and that they also have been raised with Him to walk in newness of life (Matthew 28:19; Mark 16:16; Acts 10”47,48; Romans 6:4).

  • Baptism by immersion, while it is the most biblical mode of identifying with Christ, is not (as some believe) a prerequisite for salvation. It is rather an act of obedience, a public proclamation of faith in Christ and identification with Him. Baptism is a picture of our leaving our old life and becoming a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17). Baptism by immersion is the only mode that fully illustrates this radical change.

Baptism Services are held quarterly at CRC immediately after our Sunday service. Please refer to our church events calendar for sign up information.

Communion

When a believer partakes in communion, he is acknowledging and affirming his union with Christ. Like baptism, it is also a witness to others that the believer belongs to Christ.

The Lord’s Supper is a remembrance of the life and death of our Lord. The bread symbolizes His perfect life, which qualified Him to be an acceptable sacrifice for sin, and the body in which He actually bore our sin on the cross (1 Pe 2:24). The wine represents His blood that was shed for the forgiveness of our sins.

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