Baptism is a beautiful and sacred gift that Jesus has given His Church. It is a moment where we publicly declare the inward reality of being united with Christ—dying to sin and being raised to new life in Him. Through baptism, we participate in a holy sacrament that connects us with the body of Christ across generations. It is a celebration of grace, identity, and belonging in the family of God.
At Chisholm Baptist Church, we define baptism as the immersion of a believer in water in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. This act symbolizes being buried with Christ in His death and raised in His resurrection. It is an outward expression of an inward transformation—a public declaration of faith and obedience to Christ.
Our church’s purpose is to Love God, Love Others, and Make Disciples. Baptism aligns closely with this purpose. In Matthew 28:19–20, Jesus commands His disciples to “make disciples of all nations, baptizing them...and teaching them.” Baptism is not optional—it’s a part of the disciple-making process. In Acts 2, after Peter’s sermon at Pentecost, the crowd asked, “What shall we do?” Peter’s response was clear: “Repent and be baptized.”
Sadly, many believers delay baptism. Some are unsure of its importance, while others wrestle with fear or pride. Yet Scripture shows us a different picture—one of eagerness and joy. When Philip shared the gospel with the Ethiopian eunuch in Acts 8, the man’s response was immediate: “Look, here is water! What prevents me from being baptized?”
The reality is, baptism does not save us. We are saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ (Ephesians 2:8–9). Baptism is not a work that earns salvation, but a symbol of what has already taken place in the believer’s heart. This distinguishes us from traditions that treat baptism as the instrumental cause of salvation. Our heritage as Baptists is rooted in the Protestant Reformation and the belief in Sola Scriptura—Scripture alone as the final authority. We baptize because Jesus commands it, not because we believe it conveys salvation in itself.
Historically, the church has practiced baptism in various ways. Early church documents like the Didache show a preference for immersion in flowing water, demonstrating union with Christ and identification with His death and resurrection. In addition, the Greek word for Baptism is Baptizmo, which means to immerse, plunge, or dip. When we look at the overall history of the use of this word, both in scripture and in early Greek writings, its meaning falls in line with immersion.
Some traditions practice infant baptism, but we believe in believer’s baptism—that one should be baptized after a conscious decision to follow Christ. This aligns with the consistent New Testament pattern: believe, then be baptized.
If you are a follower of Jesus and haven’t yet been baptized, the question is simple: what’s holding you back? Baptism is not about perfection; it’s about obedience, identity, and public witness. It is a step of faith that honors Christ and encourages the church. As we say often, “Take your next step.” If you’ve believed—be baptized!
At Chisholm Baptist Church, we define baptism as the immersion of a believer in water in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. This act symbolizes being buried with Christ in His death and raised in His resurrection. It is an outward expression of an inward transformation—a public declaration of faith and obedience to Christ.
Our church’s purpose is to Love God, Love Others, and Make Disciples. Baptism aligns closely with this purpose. In Matthew 28:19–20, Jesus commands His disciples to “make disciples of all nations, baptizing them...and teaching them.” Baptism is not optional—it’s a part of the disciple-making process. In Acts 2, after Peter’s sermon at Pentecost, the crowd asked, “What shall we do?” Peter’s response was clear: “Repent and be baptized.”
Sadly, many believers delay baptism. Some are unsure of its importance, while others wrestle with fear or pride. Yet Scripture shows us a different picture—one of eagerness and joy. When Philip shared the gospel with the Ethiopian eunuch in Acts 8, the man’s response was immediate: “Look, here is water! What prevents me from being baptized?”
The reality is, baptism does not save us. We are saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ (Ephesians 2:8–9). Baptism is not a work that earns salvation, but a symbol of what has already taken place in the believer’s heart. This distinguishes us from traditions that treat baptism as the instrumental cause of salvation. Our heritage as Baptists is rooted in the Protestant Reformation and the belief in Sola Scriptura—Scripture alone as the final authority. We baptize because Jesus commands it, not because we believe it conveys salvation in itself.
Historically, the church has practiced baptism in various ways. Early church documents like the Didache show a preference for immersion in flowing water, demonstrating union with Christ and identification with His death and resurrection. In addition, the Greek word for Baptism is Baptizmo, which means to immerse, plunge, or dip. When we look at the overall history of the use of this word, both in scripture and in early Greek writings, its meaning falls in line with immersion.
Some traditions practice infant baptism, but we believe in believer’s baptism—that one should be baptized after a conscious decision to follow Christ. This aligns with the consistent New Testament pattern: believe, then be baptized.
If you are a follower of Jesus and haven’t yet been baptized, the question is simple: what’s holding you back? Baptism is not about perfection; it’s about obedience, identity, and public witness. It is a step of faith that honors Christ and encourages the church. As we say often, “Take your next step.” If you’ve believed—be baptized!
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