Churches of Christ believe firmly in baptism by complete immersion in water. Baptism, interpreted from Greek word baptizo, means to immerse or submerge. The Churches of Christ believe in, and practise what the Scripture says about water baptism:
- Baptism is commanded by Christ, the Head of the Church (Mk16:16)
- Baptism signifies the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ (Rom 6:3-4)
- Baptism is for the remission of sins (Act 2:38).
- Baptism saves (I Pet 3:21)
- In baptism one makes contact with the blood of Jesus through His death, burial and resurrection (Rom 6:3-4)
- Baptism is an act essential to salvation (Mk 16:16; Acts 2:38; 22:16)
- Baptism washes away sins (Acts 22:16)
- Baptism gives one entry into the church (Jno 3:5; I Cor 12:13; Gal 3:27)
- Jesus instructed His disciples to preach the gospel and he who believes and is baptised shall be saved (Mk16:16); the apostles did just that:
- In the day of Pentecost when the church started, those who heard the gospel and were convicted by the gospel message were baptised (Acts 2:28)
- All members who were added to the church were baptised (Acts 8: 12,13,16,38; 18:15,33; 18:18; 19:4-5)
- Paul, the last apostle of Christ, was baptised (Acts 9:18)
- Cornelius, the first Gentile to receive salvation, was baptised (Acts 10:48).
- Baptism is for those who can believe the gospel and be convicted of their sins – not for infants, who know nothing and believe nothing (Mk 16:16; Acts 2:38, 41; 8:13; 16:31-33).
