Become a Christian, live for GOD!

On the first day of the church's existence those who repented and were baptized were saved (Acts 2:38).  And from that day forward all those who were saved were added to the church (Acts 2:47).  According to this verse (Acts 2:47) it was God who did the adding.  Therefore, in seeking to follow this pattern, we neither vote people into the church nor force them through a required series of studies.  We have no right to demand anything beyond their obedient submission to the Savior.

The conditions of pardon which are taught in the New Testament are:

1) One must hear the gospel, for "faith comes by hearing the word of God" (Romans 10:17).

2) One must believe, for "without faith it is impossible to please God" (Hebrews 11:6).

3) One must repent of past sins, for God "commands all men, everywhere to repent" Acts 17:30).

4) One must confess Jesus as Lord, for he said, "He that confesses me before men, him will I also confess before my father who is in heaven" (Matthew 10:32).

5) And one must be baptized for the remission of sins, for Peter said, "Repent, and be baptized everyone of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of your sins..."(Acts 2:38).

Emphasis on Baptism

Churches of Christ have a reputation for placing much stress on the need for baptism.   However, we do not emphasize baptism as a "church ordinance," but as a command of Christ.  The New Testament teaches baptism as an act which is essential to salvation (Mark 16:16, Acts 2:38, Acts 22:16).

We do not practice infant baptism because New Testament baptism is only for sinners who turn to the Lord in belief and penitence.  An infant has no sin to repent of, and cannot qualify as a believer.

The only form of baptism we practice in churches of Christ is immersion.  The Greek word from which the word baptize comes means "to dip, to immerse, to submerge, to plunge." And the Scriptures always point to baptism as a burial (Acts 8:35-39, Romans 6:3,4; Colossians 2:12).

Baptism is extremely important because the New Testament sets forth the following purposes for it:

1) It is to enter the kingdom (John 3:5)

2) It is to contact Christ's blood (Romans 6:3,4).

3) It is to get into Christ (Galatians 3:27).

4) It is for salvation (Mark 16:16; 1 Peter 3:21).

3) It is for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38).

6) It is to wash away sins (Acts 22:16).

7) It is to get into the church (1 Corinthians 12:13; Ephesians 1:23).

Since Christ died for the sins of the whole world and the invitation to share in his saving grace is open to everyone (Acts 10:34,35; Revelation 22:17), we do not believe that anyone is predestined for salvation or condemnation.  Some will choose to come to Christ in faith and obedience and will be saved.  Others will reject his plea and be condemned (Mark 16:16).  These will not be lost because they were marked for condemnation, bur because that's the path they chose.

Wherever you are at this moment, we hope you will decide to accept the salvation offered by Christ -- that you will offer yourself in obedient faith and become a member of his church.