Baptism

• Baptism is an outward sign of inward grace. That means by faith in Jesus, a person's sins have been forgiven and he/she is transformed (Acts 2:38).

• Baptism signifies the reconciliation of relationship with God through Jesus Christ (Galatians 3:26-27).

• Baptism reflects one's new life in the Holy Spirit (John 3:5).

• Baptism is a sign of a believer's incorporation into the Body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:13).

• Baptism is an important step of obedience to show others you personally trust Jesus for your salvation (Matthew 3:13-17).

• The Bible describes those who have placed their faith in Jesus being baptized (Acts 2:27-28; 8:12-13a).

• Baptism is going public with your faith and obedience to Jesus (Mark 16:15).

• Like a wedding ring symbolizes a man and woman being married, baptism is a visible symbol of your union to Christ and His church (1 John 4:13-15).

• In Scripture, water is often synonymous with God enacting His redemption for people: Moses led the Israelites to freedom through the waters of the Red Sea (Exodus 14), the prophet Isaiah spoke of water not sweeping us away when we walk with God (Isaiah 43:2), and Jesus was baptized in water signifying His obedience to God and His purpose of leading all people, by faith, to freedom (Matthew 3:13-17).

• Jesus went down into death and was raised back up into life, becoming victorious over sin and death. The practice of going down into the waters of baptism and coming back out symbolizes the death and resurrection of Jesus in our own lives. We're figuratively buried with Him and raised into new life through Him (Romans 6:3-4).

• At SMC, we practice baptism by immersion where the recipient is fully immersed in water. Special consideration is made for those who may be unable to participate in immersion.

• Have you repented of your sins, and are you seeking to grow in grace with Jesus (Acts 2:38, 2 Peter 3:18)?

• Do you understand the symbolism and significance of baptism (Ephesians 5:17)?

• Are you prepared to follow the example of Jesus and live in obedience to Him (Matthew 3:13-17)?

• Are you ready to publicly declare your faith in Jesus (Mark 16:15)?

• Unlike communion, which is intended to be received often throughout a believer's life, baptism is viewed as a one-time sacrament. Just as repeating one's natural birth cannot be repeated, baptism into new life in Jesus does not have to be repeated.

• SMC recognizes a believer's baptism from another church or denomination as long as it was done in the Name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

• There may be some occasions for a person to be baptized again, including a person baptized as an infant or a person baptized in a pseudo-Christian church or false religion (e.g. Mormon Church or Jehovah's Witnesses).

At SMC, we celebrate baby dedication. This is a celebration where parents bring their children before the church as a public declaration of their own faith. In doing so, parents are partnering with Jesus and the church to guide and love their child.

In the Bible, we see examples of parents bringing children to Jesus. He welcomed them and blessed them in hopes that one day each child would make a profession of faith and then be baptized.

We practice baby dedication rather than infant/baby baptism because we believe baptism is for those who have personally confessed faith in Christ.

With the importance of baptism, we want to be sure a young person understands Jesus, who they are as a follower of Christ, and the significance of the sacrament of baptism.

If you're a parent/guardian of older children, here are some additonal resources as you talk about baptism.

Signs of Genuine Faith

• Personal Faith in Jesus: Does your child have a personal relationship with Jesus? Genuine faith involves more than knowing about Jesus; it's about trusting Him as Lord and Savior. Your child should understand that Jesus died for their sins and rose again, and they should have expressed a desire to follow Him.

• Understanding Sin and Repentance: Does your child recognize their need for forgiveness? An essential aspect of genuine faith is the acknowledgment of sin and the need for repentance. Your child should understand that baptism doesn't save them but is a step of obedience after experiencing salvation through faith in Jesus.

• Desire to Follow Jesus: Is your child committed to living according to Jesus' teachings? True faith is shown by a desire to follow Jesus and live out His teachings. While children are still learning and growing, they should show a sincere desire to obey God and reflect Christ in their actions.

Avoid External Pressures

Children may express a desire to be baptized for various reasons such as peer influence, parental expectation, or the desire to participate in church activities. It's crucial to ensure their decision is based on a personal conviction and not external pressures. Here are some ways to help discern their readiness:

• Ask open-ended questions. Encourage your child to share their understanding of baptism and why they want to be baptized. Questions like "What does baptism mean to you?" and "Why do you want to be baptized?" can provide insights into their motivation.

• Observe their actions. Look for consistent behavior that reflects a genuine faith. This includes their interest in reading the Bible, praying, and participating in church activities. Actions often speak louder than words and can indicate a true heart-transformation.

• Affirm their relationship with Jesus. As parent/guardian, your words of affirmation about your child's relationship with Jesus will build confidence that Jesus loves them and has forgiven them by their faith and repentance. Baptism is a celebration and public declaration of that truth. Their willingness to be patient for baptism does not negate who they are in Christ.