THE SACRAMENT OF WATER BAPTISM

 

Mark 16:16 declares, “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved . . .” Therefore, we believe that water baptism is a vital part of salvation and is necessary for complete regeneration or the new birth. Further, we believe baptism is an essential foundation for going on to spiritual maturity (Heb. 6:1-3). Additionally, we believe that baptism is the means where-by those who have been justified by faith in the blood of Jesus, receive the Covenant sign of circumcision of heart, are made partakers in the burial of Christ, and become identified with Him in His resurrection. Moreover, we believe that water baptism is the taking on of a great responsibility, because in it a person makes an everlasting commitment to God and His will. These commitments require that water baptism be administered only to those who have reached an age of accountability. The sacrament of water baptism at CRL is to be performed by immersion, and in the name of Jesus Christ (Col. 3:17; Acts 2:38). It is a baptism into the Body of Christ rather than into a denomination or a dogma [an of-ficial system of principles or tenets concerning faith, morals, behavior, etc., as of a church] (Mt.hew 28:19; Mark 16:16; John 3:5; Acts 2:38; 1Cor. 12:12-13; Col. 2:9-14; 3:17; 1 Pet. 3:20-21; 1 John 5:5-8; Rom. 6:3-4)