BAPTISM
10 Answers to Frequently Asked Questions about Baptism
1. What is WOL Church "position" on Baptism?
In Matthew 28:19, Jesus commands His followers to make disciples of all the nations and to baptize them. Because Word of Life (WOL) Church is committed to the authority of the Scriptures, we adhere to that biblical mandate. WOL follows this practice of the historical Christian church, where Christians have believes baptism to be an act of obedient identification with Jesus as Lord and Savior.
1. What is WOL Church's "position" on Baptism?
In Matthew 28:19, Jesus commands His followers to make disciples of all the nations and to baptize them. Because Word of Life (WOL) Church is committed to the authority of the Scriptures, we adhere to that biblical mandate. WOL follows this practice of the historical Christian church, and believe baptism to be an act of obedient identification with Jesus as Lord and Savior.
2. What is the Meaning of Baptism?
It is important to understand that baptism alone neither makes you a believer, nor does it "save" you! Only your faith in Christ does that. Baptism is simply an outward sign of a personal confession of an individual's repentance of sins and faith in Christ as Lord and Savior.
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Of Christ's burial and resurrection | "By our baptism then, we were buried with Him and shared His death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead so also we may live a new life!" - Romans 6:4
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​Of your new life as a Christian | "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith ... it is the gift of God - not by works, so that no one can boast." - Ephesians 2:8, 9
3. How does WOL Baptize People?
WOL uses the public immersion method. The biblical basis for baptism by immersion refers to the word used for baptism in Matthew 3:16; 29:19, Romans 6:4, Colossians 2:12, Acts 2:38. There, the Greek word baptizo means "to immerse or dip underwater. It best symbolizes burial and resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:3-4)
Jesus was baptized this way | "As soon as Jesus was baptized, He went up out of the water"- Matthew 3:16
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​Every baptism in the Bible was by immersion | "...then both Philip and the man went down into the water and Philip baptized him. When they came up out of the water..." - Acts 8:38-39
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Some churches and denominations practice baptism either through "sprinkling" or "pouring." WOL Church also recognizes those methods when immersion becomes impratical due to illness or other physical related matters.
4. Who Should Be Baptized?
Every person who believes in Christ. The Bible teaches that baptism follows conversion and is associated with believing in Jesus Christ. Therefore, it is essential that you be a believer in Christ to be eligible for baptism. This is why the term "believer's baptism" was initiated.
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Every believer is to be baptized | "...Those who believe and accepted His message were baptized..." - Acts 2:41
5. When Should I Be Baptized?
​As soon as you have decided to receive Christ into your life, you can be baptized. Contact WOL Church's Pastor/Assigned Leader or Staff to assist you with this essential life-changing process.
6. What About Baptizing Children?
At WOL Church, we wait to baptize our children until they are old enough to believe and understand the true meaning of the experience for themselves.
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While recognizing the right for other churches to practice infant baptism if it conforms to their theologies, WOL Church understands Scripture to teach that only professing believers qualify for baptism. In the Bible, we find parents bringing their children to Jesus. He held them and prayed for them, and told us to welcome them. But, He did not baptize them and did not tell anyone else to baptize them.
If you were baptized as an infant in a church where this form of baptism was the only one practiced, it is not required that you be baptized again in order to become a member of WOL Church. The primary issue is whether you have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ - not the method of baptism.
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7. What About Parent-Child Dedication?
We practice "baby dedications" at WOL Church. This practice is intended to be a covenant between the parents and God and on behalf of the child. Parents promise to raise their child in the faith until the child is old enough to make his or her own personal confession of Christ. See "Baby & Child Dedication Ceremony" page.
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8. How is Baptism Performed at WOL Church, and By Whom?
WOL strongly believes in the biblical principles of "... the priesthood of all believers..." and therefore does not require that an ordained pastor be the one to baptize believers. However, in our general practice as a church, the pastor and one other leader or a family member will assist with baptism.
9. I'm Ready. What Do I Need to Do?
Anyone wishing to be baptized at WOL Church can connect with a pastor/leader. We will help you fill out an application for Baptism, and sign up for the next Baptism Orientation Meeting.
10. When & Where Can I Be Baptized?
To be determined after the Baptism Orientation Meeting.