Baptism and communion (the Lord’s Supper) are the two ordinances prescribed by our Lord Jesus Christ as visible symbols of God’s grace.

With both ordinances, believers have an opportunity to “remember” God’s goodness and grace, as revealed in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Both baptism and communion picture Christ’s death and resurrection and our participation in His death and resurrection through union to Him in faith. As we enter into the waters or watch another do so, we are reminded that Christ was crucified and raised from the dead and that we, too, have died to the old self in order to live for Christ.

As a symbol, baptism illustrates a number of significant realities:

1. Christ’s death and resurrection

2. The disciple’s union with Christ in His death and resurrection

3. The new life in which a disciple walks

4. Cleansing and washing away of sin

Baptism is a symbol

1. Baptism does not save, but it does reveal a changed life.

2. Baptism is required to be obedient to Jesus.

MATTHEW 28:18–20 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 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, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

ACTS 2:37–41 Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” 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 will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.” And with many other words he bore witness and continued to exhort them, saying, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation.” So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls.

ACTS 22:16 And now why do you wait? Rise and be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on his name.

1. To obey the commands of Christ. “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them”

2. To evidence that a person is a disciple of Christ 

3. To follow the example of Christ - when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him. Mat 3:16.

4. To bear witness to the world.

ACTS 2:41 So those who received his word were baptized,

ACTS 8:12 But when they believed Philip as he preached good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.

ROMANS 6:3–4 Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.

1. Fear

2. Not feeling good enough

FBCA practices baptism by immersion.

1. The Greek word βαπτίζω (baptizo) literally means to plunge, submerge or immerse.

Our English word baptism is a transliteration of the Greek baptizo. Baptizo was used in Greek literature to describe the act of immersing something in water or another liquid. 

2. The representation of union in Christ’s death and resurrection is expressed through immersion. Whether buried below or above ground, the symbolism of burial is still that of being placed under something. Likewise, resurrection is accomplished by coming out of something (whether grave or tomb). Immersion symbolizes this reality by actually placing the believer under the water and bringing them out.

3. Going through the water links us to the stories of the bible where God rescued his people: Noah, and the Exodus. 

1. Walk down the stairs carefully.

2. Face the Church

3. Cross your arms.

4. Answer the question

5. Hold your nose.

6. Bend your knees.

7. Celebrate when you come out of the water.

8. Hug your family member.

9. Look at the photographer.

COLOSSIANS 2:12 Having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead.

ROMANS 6:3–4 Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.

Question: “What is your profession of faith?”

If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. Romans 10:9

“Jesus is my Lord!”