A BELIEVER
Salvation comes first.
The person being baptized has already believed on Jesus Christ for everlasting life. Baptism follows that salvation; it does not produce it.
Believer's Baptism
Baptism follows salvation.
Water baptism is a public act of obedience for someone who has already believed on Jesus Christ for everlasting life. Baptism does not save; it follows salvation.
What Baptism Is
A saved believer obeying Christ in water baptism.
TWBC practices believer's baptism by immersion after salvation. Baptism is an ordinance of the local church and a step of Christian obedience. It is not part of receiving eternal life.
IN WATER
Baptism is by immersion.
The believer is immersed in water rather than sprinkled or having water poured upon him or her.
IN OBEDIENCE
Baptism is a step of obedience.
A saved person follows the Lord in baptism because Christ commanded believers to be baptized.
IN THE CHURCH
Baptism belongs to church life.
It is a public church ordinance that identifies the believer publicly with Christ and the Gospel he or she has already believed.
“Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.”
Matthew 28:19–20
What Baptism Pictures
Burial and resurrection — a picture of the Gospel.
Immersion beautifully pictures death, burial, and resurrection. The believer goes down into the water and comes up again, identifying publicly with Jesus Christ and the new life that should follow salvation.
The picture is powerful because the Gospel has already saved the believer. Baptism points to Christ; it does not add to Christ's finished work.
THE BIBLE'S PICTURE
“Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.”
Romans 6:3–4
What Baptism Does Not Do
Baptism is important, but it is not salvation.
Because salvation is God's free gift through faith in Christ, water baptism must never be turned into a condition for receiving, keeping, or proving everlasting life.
It does not save.
Eternal life is received by believing on Jesus Christ, not by being baptized.
It does not wash away sin.
Water cannot pay for sin. Jesus Christ paid for our sins through His death, burial, and resurrection.
It does not keep you saved.
The believer is eternally secure in Christ. Baptism is obedience after salvation, not maintenance of salvation.
It does not make you a member automatically.
TWBC membership is a separate church process. Baptism after salvation is one of the membership requirements.
“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.”
Ephesians 2:8–9
How Baptism Works at TWBC
Tell us you are ready to take this step.
If you have believed on Jesus Christ for everlasting life and have not yet been baptized by immersion after salvation, TWBC would be glad to help you take that step.
BELIEVE
Be saved first.
Trust Jesus Christ alone for everlasting life. Baptism comes after salvation.
TELL US
Let TWBC know.
Tell a pastor, deacon, or contact the church and let us know that you want to be baptized.
PREPARE
We will answer your questions.
We will confirm the biblical order, explain what to expect, and arrange the practical details with you.
BAPTISM
Be baptized by immersion.
Follow the Lord publicly in believer's baptism and then continue growing in the Christian life.
Baptism & Membership
Connected, but not the same thing.
TWBC requires believer's baptism by immersion after salvation for church membership. But being baptized does not automatically make someone a member. Membership is a separate decision to make TWBC your church home and follow the church's membership process.
Take the Next Step
Ready to be baptized?
If you have already believed on Jesus Christ for everlasting life, we would be glad to help you follow the Lord in believer's baptism.