Baptism at FBC Fenton — What It Is, What It Means, and How to Take the Next Step

A Public Declaration of Private Faith

Baptism is one of the most visible and personal things a Christian does. It is the moment when an inward reality faith in Jesus Christ is declared outwardly before God, the church, and the watching world.

At FBC Fenton, we practice believer's baptism by immersion. This article explains what that means, why we believe it reflects what the New Testament teaches, and how to take the next step if you are ready.

What Baptism Is

Baptism is an act of obedience and public testimony. When a person is baptized, they are declaring several things simultaneously.

"I have died to my old life." Going under the water symbolizes the death of the old self, the person defined by sin, self, and separation from God.

"I have been buried with Christ." The immersion itself represents burial the old life put away, finished, gone.

"I have been raised to walk in new life." Coming up out of the water represents resurrection the new life that belongs to everyone who is in Christ.

This imagery comes directly from Romans 6:3–4: "Don't you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus 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."

Baptism does not create the new life. It proclaims it.

What Baptism Is Not

Understanding what baptism is requires being equally clear about what it is not.

Baptism does not save you. This is perhaps the most important clarification we can make. Salvation is by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone (Ephesians 2:8–9). Baptism does not add to or complete your salvation. The thief on the cross was promised paradise by Jesus without being baptized (Luke 23:43). Cornelius and his household received the Holy Spirit *before* they were baptized (Acts 10:44–48).

Baptism is the outward sign of an inward reality — not the thing that creates the reality.

Baptism is not a ritual that conveys grace automatically. In some Christian traditions, baptism is understood to impart grace through the act itself. We do not hold this view. Baptism is meaningful and commanded but its meaning depends entirely on the faith of the person being baptized.

Infant baptism is not the same thing. At FBC Fenton, we practice believer's baptism meaning we baptize people who are old enough to personally profess faith in Jesus Christ. We do not practice infant baptism (paedobaptism) because baptism in the New Testament is consistently preceded by repentance and faith. An infant cannot make a personal profession of faith.

This is one of the defining convictions of Baptist churches historically. We believe it reflects the clear pattern of the New Testament, where the order is always: hear the Gospel, believe, be baptized.

Why Immersion?

The word "baptize" comes from the Greek *baptizo*, which means to immerse, dip, or plunge. The New Testament consistently depicts baptism as a full immersion in water.

Jesus was baptized by John in the Jordan River, "coming up out of the water" (Mark 1:10). Philip baptized the Ethiopian eunuch in a body of water, with both of them going down into the water and coming up out of it (Acts 8:38–39). The symbolism of Romans 6 — burial and resurrection — only makes visual sense with full immersion.

We practice immersion because we believe it most faithfully reflects the meaning and the imagery of baptism as described in Scripture.

Who Should Be Baptized?

Anyone who has genuinely placed their faith in Jesus Christ and has not yet been baptized as a believer should be baptized. The New Testament treats baptism as the normal and expected next step after conversion.

Acts 2:38: "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins."

Matthew 28:19: "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit."

Jesus commanded it. The early church practiced it consistently. If you have trusted in Christ and have not yet been baptized as a believer, we would love to talk with you about taking that step.

What If I Was Baptized as an Infant?

This is one of the most common questions we receive, and it deserves a careful answer.

If you were baptized as an infant, something meaningful happened in that moment — your parents and your church community made a commitment to raise you in the faith, and you were marked in a significant way. We do not dismiss that.

But at FBC Fenton, we believe that baptism is a personal declaration of personal faith. Infant baptism, however meaningful to the parents, cannot be a personal declaration because infants cannot personally believe. If you have come to personal faith in Jesus Christ as an adult, we would lovingly encourage you to consider believer's baptism as your own act of obedience and testimony — not as a rejection of what your parents did, but as your own step of faith.

How Does Baptism Work at FBC Fenton?

The process is straightforward and unhurried:

1. Talk to a pastor. Reach out to us and let us know you're interested in baptism. We'll set up a conversation to talk through your faith, make sure you understand what baptism means, and answer any questions you have.

2. Share your story. We'll ask you to share a brief testimony — what God has done in your life, and why you want to be baptized. This is not a test. It's a conversation.

3. Set a date. We celebrate baptisms during our Sunday morning worship services. It is a genuinely joyful moment for the whole congregation.

4. Take the step. You will be baptized by immersion in front of the church family — a public declaration of the private faith you have placed in Jesus Christ.

Ready to Take the Next Step?

If you are ready to be baptized — or if you have questions and want to talk it through — please reach out to us:

- **Online:** firstbaptistfenton.org/next-steps or firstbaptistfenton.org/book-appointment

We would be honored to celebrate this moment with you and your family.