THE BASICS OF BAPTISM

Baptism is one of the "ordinances of the church" — which means that baptism, along with the Lord's Supper, is a rite or activity that the leaders of the churches perform in service to the congregation in obedience to the Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus told us in the gospels to baptize and to take the Lord's Supper, and explained to the disciples that these things had a spiritual significance, a meaning that directly related to the Lord and His mission here on earth.

Some churches and denominations teach that there are other ordinances, other sacraments, as they are sometimes (erroneously) called. Foot-washing is taught by the Church of God and other groups, for example, and is a reflection of the fact that they view the work of salvation as being a three-stage process.. Speaking in tongues is named as an ordinance by the oneness pentecostals, and catholicism adds a whole list of other rites that were supposedly commanded by the Lord.

Those that subscribe to these and other beliefs are sometimes very strident in their professions, but it is important to realize that in defining what we as Christians believe, we are not to go by "what my denomination teaches", but rather "what my Bible says". Sticking to the Word of God will keep the Christian out of the ditch, doctrinally speaking.

(Quote Romans 6) heading goes here