Jesus Christ is God’s Son. He was born of a virgin as both God and man, lived a sinless life, died to atone for the sins of human beings, was buried, arose from the grave, ascended into heaven and will literally return to earth.

The Holy Spirit is the divine helper, assistant, counselor and instructor and His work is to reveal Christ, convict of sin, lead to repentance, guide believers, comfort, strengthen, and sanctify the soul.

The Bible is God’s Holy Word, without error, and is the sole authority for life.

Human beings are the special creations of God, made in His image. They fell through the sin of the first man, Adam, and all human beings are sinners in need of salvation.

Salvation is a gift through repentance toward God and faith in Jesus Christ. Every person who truly is saved is eternally secure in the Lord Jesus Christ and will spend eternity in heaven, while those who die in their sins will spend eternity in hell. Each believer has direct access to God through the Lord Jesus Christ.

A. Meaning: We perform believer’s baptism. Baptism follows salvation, which is why it is called believer’s baptism. Baptism is commanded for new believers (Matt. 28:18-20). Baptism does not save you or make you a Christian; your faith and trust in Jesus Christ alone and His sacrifice for your sin makes you a Christian. Believer’s baptism should be one of the first acts of obedience as a Christian. It identifies you as a member of the body of Christ. Additionally, the English word “baptism” actually comes from the Greek word, baptizo, which means “to immerse or submerge.” Therefore, biblical baptism is complete immersion by a Christian to identify himself/herself with Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Jesus provides the example of biblical baptism in Matt. 3:16, which records: “After being baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water…”

B. Significance: Baptism publicly identifies you with Jesus Christ, who is now your Lord. It is your public testimony to everyone of your inner commitment of renouncing your old life of self-centeredness and, in response to the invitation of the Lord Jesus Christ, joining yourself to Him. You are saying you belong to Jesus Christ and are committing your life to serving Him. It is not a requirement for salvation, but it is commanded for all those who have accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.

C. Symbolism: Baptism is a symbol of your commitment to Jesus Christ. Immersion provides a re-enactment of the death, burial, and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. It shows that you have died with Christ, have been buried with him, and are raised again to walk in newness of life. Paul described baptism in Rom. 6:4: “Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life.”