What We Believe

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Baptism

“There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of us all, who is above all and through all and in all.” - Ephesians 4: 4-6.

The United Methodist understanding of Baptism is as follows:

‒ a response to God’s grace (God’s undeserved love) (Mark 16:16)
‒ the rite of Christian initiation into a group of believers (Acts 2:38; 16:15 - 33)
‒ the beginning of walking with Christ in newness of life (Romans 6: 1-11)
‒ the cleansing of sin and the purifying action of the Holy Spirit (Titus 3:5)
‒ the death of the sinful self and surrender to Christ (Romans 6; Galatians 5:23; Titus 2:12)
‒ a sign of personal faith and belief in Jesus Christ (Acts 8, 10)

By “faith” we mean:

‒ Jesus’ teaching to His disciples (Matthew 5-7, Luke 9:1-6, all Gospels)
‒ Belief and teachings from the time of Pentecost (Acts Chapters 2, 3, 4)
‒ the teaching of the Bible (1 Corinthians 15: 1-10; Colossians 1:1-23)
‒ the enduring faith that belonged to the generations preceding us (Hebrews 11)
‒ a personal understanding and acceptance of these things (Luke 5:17-20, 7:1-10)

Is Baptism the same thing as being saved?

No. Baptism is not salvation. The Bible teaches that a person needs to be born of water and spirit to enter the Kingdom of God, or eternal life, or Heaven (John 3:3).

A spiritual rebirth must occur. We are adopted into God’s family through faith in Christ’s death and resurrection. We are no longer only servants but sons and daughters, and thus heirs (Galatians 3:26 – 4:7).

There was a time in our Methodist history when we were heavily influenced by the Catholic Church and the Church of England who believed that baptizing infants and children saved them from Hell. This is not current United Methodist practice or belief.

How do United Methodists baptize, and under what conditions? We recognize and practice three forms: immersion, sprinkling, and pouring. We baptize at the river, in the sanctuary and other suitable places, all in the fellowship of the church. We do anoint with oil at baptism at your request. We do not do “secret” (nonpublic) baptisms. After counseling with the Pastor, baptisms may be performed in nursing homes or at your home in the event of an illness or incapacitating condition.