Building Bridges in Faith

Baptism in the Baptist Church

Baptism is the public enactment of a person’s profession of faith in Jesus Christ. In baptism a person identifies with the life, death, resurrection, and continuing ministry of Jesus Christ. It is the first act of obedience of the Christian life, followed by a lifetime of commitment to do all things as Jesus would do.

Baptists baptize by immersion; that is, a person is fully immersed in ordinary water at the hands of an already baptized member of the church, usually but not necessarily the pastor. Baptists stick with the mode of immersion, rather than “sprinkling” or “pouring,” because we believe it most clearly depicts genuine faith in God. One humbles oneself by putting on a simple robe, thereby disdaining any social status as a basis for salvation. Then one enters the waters and confesses that “Jesus is Lord,” this being the earliest known confession of faith. The person is then put under the water trusting completely in the faithfulness of the administrant to raise the person up. This symbolizes the death—drowning—of one’s sin and selfish strivings in the baptismal tomb. When the person is raised up again, it is a sign that God will give the person life again after death, just as Jesus was raised from the dead.

The Ordinance of Baptism

Baptists believe that God is active in baptism, blessing and calling the Christian to faithful living. Baptism is an ordinance (from “order”), which stems from the order or command of Jesus to believe and be baptized. While the idea that God is involved and personally present in baptism is to be affirmed, Baptists guard against any ideas that may imply magic (“holy water” cleansing any sin) or give to the church or clergy power that only belongs to God, as if the right to grant salvation or deny it can be in any hands other than God’s.

Child Dedications

Baptists practice believer’s baptism rather than infant baptism. While infant baptism conveys well the sense that salvation is not dependent upon what we do but on what God has done for us, it fails to convey the full respect of God for human freedom. God does not force faith upon anyone.

Since First Baptist Church Knoxville does not practice infant baptism, infants and children are nurtured and encouraged in the faith until such age as the child can make a personal commitment. Instead, we involve the child, the parents, extended family and congregation in a service of dedication. This meaningful service of blessing and commitment is conducted during regular worship services. 

If you would like more information about baptism or child dedications, please contact Linda Spencer in the Pastor's Office by email or phone (865)- 546-9661.