Specific Implications for Baptism at Church in the Square
As a covenant people we are marked by God’s grace through baptism. Here’s a few implications of this understanding for us at Church in the Square …
We believe God’s Word teaches that water baptism is an ordinance. Water baptism is one of two ordinances of the local church—along with the Lord’s Supper or communion. In recognizing water baptism as such we have made a strict observation of the Scriptures that baptism is ordained by Jesus and that the elements of the act are not divine. We are looking to Christ in a way that we demonstrate faith in God through his covenant of grace, not as a way of receiving regenerative grace (Col 2:11-12).
We believe God’s Word teaches that two types of people should be baptized. 1.) Christian believers—those who have become part of the new covenant and the family of God by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. 2.) Infants born into a covenant family—those who have been entrusted to the care of Christian parents and/or guardians as a blessing of God’s covenant faithfulness. We will perform both types of baptism at Church in the Square by sprinkling water.
We believe God’s Word teaches that water baptism is a sign and seal. At Church in the Square we recognize baptism as a new sign of the covenant. Whereas the covenant, originally, was demonstrated by circumcision, now the covenant fulfilled in Christ is symbolized by water baptism (Rom 4:11, Col 2:11-12). In as much as it is a sign it points to the powerful redemptive grace of Jesus that washes us clean of a guilty conscience and makes us pure before God. Additionally it gives us a picture of the Holy Spirit’s work in the life of a family or believer (Acts 16:13-15; 32-34; 1 Cor. 1:16; cf. Jos 24:15). Baptism is not a sign of our action and power but rather of God’s faithfulness and work to redeem us through Jesus, by the power of the Holy Spirit. Water baptism is also a seal. As with the rings exchanged in a wedding ceremony as the seal of the marriage, baptism points to a pledge that God will uphold his promise when the condition of faith is met.
We believe God’s Word teaches that water baptism is a picture. In baptism we demonstrate and celebrate God’s character and our identity as new covenant people. As covenant members we declare this symbolism through obedience to God’s Word and give encouragement to the Church as a public display.
We believe God’s Word teaches that water baptism is an act of obedience. We recognize baptism as a command from God through his Word demonstrated by Jesus. Therefore to be baptized is an act of obedience. Not only do we read Paul commanding baptism in his epistles but also we see commands and immediate acts of baptism in the stories of Acts (Acts 2:38, 8:36). Additionally Jesus himself was baptized and directly commanded us to make disciples through baptism (Mat 3:13-17; 28:19).
We believe God’s Word teaches that water baptism is not a saving act. We are saved by faith in Jesus, not by works (Eph 2:8-9). Therefore whether someone is baptized as an infant or as an adult their salvation is a work of Jesus, not themselves. Faith in Jesus saves, not baptism of any form (John 3:16). Water baptism is merely a demonstration of the covenant of grace, an act of obedience displaying our status as covenant members.
We believe God’s Word teaches that parents should be the primary disciplers of their children. Therefore the baptism of infants will be left to the biblical discretion of their parents. Though we believe the Scriptures teach the covenantal importance of baptism we understand there is biblical warrant for maintaining a credobaptistic position. And so if a parent is convicted by the Spirit and convinced by the Scriptures that their children should wait to be baptized until after regeneration (profession of faith in Jesus) then our elders nor our church will dissuade them from doing so. Additionally our church family will uphold and encourage them in this biblical care of their family and once, by God’s grace, such a child professes faith in Jesus it will be the church’s joy to baptize them.
We believe God’s Word is ultimately silent about the mode of water baptism. However we have decided in the spirit of Old Testament cleansing ceremonies as well as unity of expression at Church in the Square we will administer baptism waters through the sprinkling of water to both infants and adults.
