Baptism

Overview

We rejoice with those who desire to follow Christ's example in Scripture of baptism by immersion. We recognize baptism as an outward expression of an inward commitment and surrender to Christ as Lord and Savior (Romans 6:1-5). It is a symbol of our death to sin and our new birth through the Holy Spirit. It is not a means of salvation, but rather a way to publicly identify as one redeemed and an expression of obedience and the desire to be held accountable to biblical standards.

When sure and clear of his or her salvation and desiring to be baptized as a step of obedience and as a profession of faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, then a baptism may be scheduled.

Please take a few minutes to read through the Frequently Asked Questions and complete the “Sharing Your Testimony” questions below. Once completed, there are just a few more steps to follow.

1. We will contact you to schedule a meeting with one of our elders or pastors to discuss your desire to be baptized.
2. At that meeting, we will take your photo (to be used later for introducing you to our church body).
3. A date will be set for your baptism.
4. After the service the day you are baptized, The Chapel body will have a chance to meet you in the lobby.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is baptism required for membership at The Chapel?
- Yes. Jesus commands that all believers are to be baptized and to disobey this command displays a lack of
submission to Christ and His church. Also, baptism is always closely connected with membership in the New
Testament. Both go together, so only baptized believers are eligible to become members at The Chapel. (Ex.
Matthew 28:19-20; Acts 2:41)

Does The Chapel affirm as members brothers and sisters who have not been baptized as a believer (including brothers or sisters who have only been baptized as infants)?
- The Chapel does not affirm as members brothers or sisters in Christ who have not been baptized as believers. We are aware that many brothers or sisters view their infant baptism as biblical baptism. However, we are convinced by the testimony of Scripture that baptism is to occur after one has made a confession of faith that Jesus Christ is Lord, thus excluding infant baptism.

Does The Chapel affirm as members brothers or sisters who have not been baptized as believers by immersion (i.e., those who have been baptized as believers by pouring or sprinkling)?
- Biblically, baptism is immersion. Because Scripture includes no examples of baptism by any other mode, we do not accept as members brothers or sisters who have not been baptized (i.e., immersed in water). The only exceptions to this is in cases where a believer is (or was) physically unable to be immersed in water. Beyond this exception, we are sympathetic with brothers and sisters who were "baptized" with water in another form by another local church that did not practice baptism by immersion and can, after the deliberation of the elders, choose to allow said brother or sister to join our church if they are convinced in their conscience that to be baptized by immersion would be a sin. However, we still urge such brothers and sisters who desire to become members to be baptized by immersion for various reasons: (1) as a church, we firmly believe baptism by immersion is biblical and exclusively practice baptism by immersion; (2) we believe it is good for every member of the church to be united together in a clear identification with Christ in his death and his life—and identification which is most clearly illustrated in baptism by immersion; and (3) as we participate together in the Great Commission, making disciples who will be baptized by immersion, we believe it is beneficial for members of the church to have modeled such baptism in their own lives. In light of these reasons, we desire all potential members of The Chapel who have not been baptized by immersion to be baptized by immersion in obedience to the command of Christ as a portrait of the gospel of Christ for the fulfillment of the mission of Christ.

Does The Chapel affirm as members brothers or sisters who have not been baptized in the context of a local church (i.e., those who were baptized either on their own with another person, in a small group, or through a para-church organization)?
- We believe baptism is one of two ordinances given by Jesus to be administered in the local church by biblically qualified pastors and elders. Because of this, we are hesitant to recognize an individual for membership if their baptism does not fall within the above parameters.

Does The Chapel baptize brothers or sisters who are not becoming members of The Chapel (i.e., those who desire to be baptized but for differing reasons are not able to commit to membership at The Chapel)?
- As stated above, we believe the New Testament always links baptism and membership. Because of this, we are hesitant to baptize an individual who openly does not desire to commit himself or herself to membership. In unique circumstances, we would baptize an individual if they are unable to join The Chapel in membership, yet are soon to commit themselves to membership at another biblical church.

Does The Chapel recommend and/or establish a particular age for children to be baptized?
- The Chapel does not recommend or establish a particular age for children to be baptized. We do not want to discourage a regenerate child from being baptized, yet also want to exercise careful discernment to avoid deception and false assurance in a child's life by baptizing him or her before he or she is biblically regenerate and able to understand, articulate, and embrace the Gospel, believer's baptism, and the responsibilities and expectations of church membership. Therefore, our elders work deliberately with parents to ensure a child (before being baptized) is able to understand, articulate, and embrace the Gospel, believer's baptism, and church membership, and bears the fruit of regeneration. A child will not be baptized until his or her parents (if they are believers), the child's pastor(s), and elders together agree that the child is ready to be baptized. Then, upon a child's baptism, the members of The Chapel, under the loving care and oversight of the elders, will work together to disciple such children to grow in Christ and mature in the faith.

Who is permitted to baptize believers at The Chapel?
- As we believe baptism is one of two ordinances given by Jesus to the church, to be administered in the church, we believe that pastors and elders who oversee the local church are to administer this ordinance and baptize believers. Consequently, the pastors and elders will facilitate baptisms at The Chapel.

Explain when you realized that without repentance and faith you would have gone to Hell. Use the Scripture to explain the Gospel, so you will want to bring your bible and baptism booklet with you to the baptism video interview.

Make sure to communicate that baptism does not save anyone.

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