Who Should Be Baptized

Christians are people who believe that the blood of Jesus Christ, shed on the cross, provides the sole basis for the forgiveness of sin. Therefore, salvation occurs only when a person places his or her faith in the death and resurrection of Christ as the sufficient payment for his or her sin.

If you have accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, then you are ready to be baptized. Just like a bride and groom show others their love for one another by wearing wedding bands, your baptism is your opportunity to show others that you have accepted Christ and are now walking with Him.

If you have any questions about how to begin a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, please click here.

What Baptism Symbolizes

Baptism is a way of showing others that a person has entered into a relationship with Jesus Christ. It symbolizes what took place in his/her heart at the time of salvation:

Acceptance of Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.

Sharing in His death and resurrection illustrated by going under the water (dead to our old life), then rising again (new life).

Being symbolically washed clean, our sins being forgiven by His death on the cross.

Because Jesus instructed us to be baptized, baptism is an act of obedience. While it is not necessary for salvation, it demonstrates submission to God. We immerse at Eternal Rock Fellowship because we believe Scripture shows that Jesus modeled that for us as the way to publicly acknowledge our faith in Him.

Infant Christening

In some denominations, infant christening represents a decision made by parents that they are dedicating their child to Christ. In many ways, that's the same reason we do baby dedications at North Point. It's a very important time for parents to commit to raise their children in accordance with the teachings of Scripture. It is important to remember that whether you were christened as a baby or your parents participated in a baby dedication, that doesn't make you a Christian. Only a personal acceptance of Christ's death on the cross for your sins can do that. While we recognize the right of other churches to practice infant christening, we understand Scripture to teach that only professing believers qualify for baptism.

Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of heaven.

  —Jesus, Son of God

Children Are a Heritage

The Bible says that children are a heritage and a reward from the Lord (Psalm 127:3). God has given Christian parents the tremendous responsibility of raising their children in the ways of the Lord (Ephesians 6:4). He entrusts parents with the responsibility of establishing a foundation built upon Jesus Christ early in the lives of their children.

Why Children Should Be Dedicated

 In view of this responsibility, baby dedications are actually family dedications. The entire family needs to be lifted up in prayer so that family members will be empowered to keep their responsibilities.

The Bible gives us an example of dedicating a child to the Lord through the account of Hannah in 1 Samuel 1:11, 26–28. Unable to have children, Hannah wept before the Lord because of her condition. As she was weeping, she made a vow to God and said, "O Lord of hosts, if You will indeed look on the affliction of Your maidservant and remember me, and not forget Your maidservant, but will give Your maidservant a man child, then I will give him to the Lord all the days of his life . . . " (1 Samuel 1:11).

God honored Hannah's request and gave her a son, Samuel. Hannah kept her vow and dedicated (which means "to set apart") Samuel to the Lord.

Requirements for Dedication

To dedicate a child to the Lord is to make a vow to completely submit your child to the will of God and raise that child in the ways of the Lord.

Responsibilities of a Christian Parent

Christian parents are to do all they can to "set apart" their child to God until that child can make his or her own choice regarding a relationship with Jesus Christ. By dedicating a child to the Lord, parents make a vow to raise their child in God's ways and not their own. They commit themselves to this promise and must do all they can to keep it.

The responsibilities God has entrusted to Christian parents include continuously praying for their children (Job 1:5), instructing them in the way of the Lord (Proverbs 22:6), setting a godly example (Proverbs 20:7), and disciplining them as the Lord would discipline us (Proverbs 29:15,17; 13:24). These responsibilities can only be fulfilled in Christ's strength (Philippians 4:13).

 As a parent, your devotion to God—or lack of it—will make a resounding impression on the next generation. May your legacy be a godly legacy.

Copyright © 2001 by Harvest Christian Fellowship. All rights reserved.

Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture references are taken from The Holy Bible, New King James version [NKJV], copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.