What we Believe
Baptism by Immersion in Water
In obedience to the command of Christ the Christian
Church has practised water baptism from its inception. The original simple
rite, however, suffered much through the Christian era from distortion and
addition.
Assemblies of God seek to conduct this sacred ceremony
according to the scriptures, and so make their appeal to the practice and
teaching of the Apostles. The mode of baptism is by total immersion in water.
Etymological proof; the word “baptism” means
to dip or plunge in water.
Comparitive proof; the word is used of an overwhelming
experience of God in “the baptism in the Holy Ghost”, it is also used
of being submerged under an avalanche of suffering.
Factual proof; John needed “much water” for
baptism. Again, Jesus was baptised “in” Jordan, and “came up out
of the water.” Figurative proof; baptism is spoken of as “buried with
Christ”, “planted together in the likeness of His death”.
Add to all this the indubitable fact from Church
history that no other mode was known in New Testament times and for long after,
and we have testimony enough to convince any person capable of weighing
evidence.
Water baptism is an act of discipleship, therefore
limited to believers only. Infant sprinkling is invalid. Water baptism is an
initiation into Christian fellowship; it is a public acknowledgment of Christ;
it is a symbolic act of complete separation from the past, a burial of
“the old man” and the beginning of a new life - “risen with
Christ"; it is a consecration of the body to the service of God; it is a
preparation for the greater baptism in the Holy Spirit.
Scripture references: Matthew 28:29; Mark 16:16;
Matthew 3:11; John 3:23; Mark 1:9,10; Romans 6:4,5; Matthew 28:19,20; John 4:1;
Acts 8:12,37. 18:8; Acts 2:41. 11:48; Galatians 3:27; Hebrews 10:22; Acts 2:38.
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