The Greek word "baptizo" means "to dip" or "to wash." Baptism is significant to believers for several reasons. First, water baptism is an external symbol of an internal washing and renewal that occurs when one believes in Christ. "He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit" (Titus 3:5).

Secondly, baptism is symbolic of one's union by faith with Christ in His death, burial and resurrection. It personifies the believer's own death to sin and resurrection to walk in newness of life in Christ. Romans 6:3-5, "Don't you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ were baptized into His death? We were therefore buried with Him through baptism into death in order that just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life."

Finally, baptism by water is a public confession of one's new life in Christ. It is a visible sign of our obedience to God's Word. Baptism declares a believer's identification with Christ-in His death by going down into the water, in His burial by going under the water, in His resurrection life by coming up out of the water.

There are several biblical reasons to support believer's baptism. The Lord Jesus gave His disciples this clear command that needs to be considered, "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit..." (Matthew 28:19). Not only did Jesus command His followers to baptize believers, but He modeled it Himself and set an example for us to follow. In Mark 1:9-11 it says, "Jesus was baptized by John in the Jordan."

Because a Christian is a follower of Christ, he should also follow Christ in baptism. The early New Testament church serves as a model for us. At Pentecost, the 3,000 people who believed and were converted followed the Lord in baptism (Acts 2:41). This continued to be the pattern followed by the early believers, "Many of the Corinthians who heard him believed and were baptized" (Acts 18:8).

Secondly, baptism is of great significance to a. believer, because it personifies a dying to self and being raised to newness of life in Christ Jesus. "Having been buried with Him in baptism and raised with Him through your faith in the power of God who raised Him from the dead. When you were dead in your sins...God made you alive with Christ... " (Colossians 2:12,13). Finally, baptism reveals one's loyalty and obedience to Christ and His Word.

The Scriptures teach that baptism follows conversion and is associated with believing in Jesus Christ. The people who heard Peter's Pentecost sermon asked, "Brothers, what shall we do?" (Acts 2:37). He answered, "Repent and be baptized..." (verse 38). The response: "Those who accepted his message were baptized ... " (verse 41). Similarly, those who heard Philip preach "the good news of the Kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ" believed and then were baptized (Acts 8:12,13). Therefore, it is essential that one be a believer in Christ to be eligible for baptism. This is why the term "believer's baptism" was initiated.

Candidates for membership who have made a personal commitment of their life to Christ and who have been baptized in a former church, either as an infant or adult, do not need to be re-baptized unless they desire to do so.

Although there is no set rule as to timing, the Scriptures do reveal it is related with a salvation experience. In Acts 8, when Philip told the Eunuch about Jesus Christ, he said, "'Look, here is water, why shouldn't I be baptized?' Philip said, 'If you believe with all your heart you may.' He said, 'I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.' Philip baptized him" (verses 36-38).

We at Lake Avenue Church have traditionally practiced baptism either by immersion or sprinkling. The mode for baptism is one of personal choice and preference; however, we as a church family now practice infant dedication and adult believer's baptism.

We believe that baptism is important as a public testimony of the believer's identification with Jesus Christ and it demonstrates the believer's act of obedience and submission to God's will in his life. Therefore, baptism is a normal initiatory ordinance into the visible body and fellowship of believers. "Those who accepted His message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day" (Acts 2:41).

Not only is the believer's transition from the old life to the new life made public in baptism, but the transition from union with the world to that of the community of believers is proclaimed as well. In the ordinance of baptism, the believer takes his stand as a follower of Jesus Christ. This is foundational in our understanding of who we are as believers here at Lake Avenue Church.