Common Questions about Baptism

• What is Christian baptism?
• Who should be baptized?
• What happens during baptism?
• How should one be baptized?

What is Christian baptism?
Here at Gurnee Community Church (GCC), we believe that baptism is an important act in the life of a Christian believer that was commanded by our Lord (Mat 28:19, Mark 16:16). It is symbolic of our being cleansed from sin through the death and resurrection of Jesus, and it is a sign of the New Covenant that we have with the Father that was established through the work of Christ Jesus, the Son (Acts 2:38, Rom 6:3-4, Gal 3:27, 1 Peter 3:18-22).

Who should be baptized?
At GCC, we affirm both the tradition of baptizing infants and young children of believing parents as well as the baptism of adults and older children after a personal and credible profession of faith. We believe that both traditions are upheld by Scripture, but each has a slightly different significance (see below).

What happens during baptism?
Baptism is a movement of the Holy Spirit in an act of obedience by a Christian believer. As stated above, “infant baptism” and “believer’s baptism” each has a slightly different significance, although in each case baptism remains symbolic of our being cleansed from sin through the death and resurrection of Jesus, and it is a sign of the New Covenant that we have with the Father that was established through the work of Christ Jesus, the Son

The baptism of infants and children who are too young to make a credible profession of faith in Jesus Christ is done as an act of consecration and dedication by believing parents or guardians. In this situation, baptism is a sign of the child’s reception into the covenant community. It is the parents or guardians that will reaffirm their faith in Jesus Christ, as well as make a commitment to raise the child within the community of faith so that the child, in due time, may place their faith in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. Baptism, by itself, does not convey God’s grace upon the child or “seal” the child for eternal salvation. Support for this tradition of baptism can be found in the Scripture references to whole families being baptized (Acts 16:14-15, 16:33-34) and in the natural connection between the New Covenant and the Old Covenant and their respective signs (Rom 2:26-29, 4:9-12).

Baptism for infants essentially is a reaffirmation of faith by the parents who promise to raise their child in the ways and teachings of Christ who has redeemed them. In the development of a child’s spiritual life the parents will be the most important person in helping the child come to make their own personal affirmation of faith in Christ. Later as the child matures, Gurnee Community Church provides a Confirmation Ministry for children in grades 7 and 8 where they can affirm their faith for themselves.

The baptism of adults and older children who have made a personal and credible profession of faith in Jesus Christ is an act of obedience by the new believer. The majority of examples of baptism in the New Testament occur in the life of the believer immediately following their conversion (cf. Acts 2:41, 8:12, 8:36, 18:8, 22:16).

How should one be baptized?
The critical elements in the rite of Christian baptism are water and that it is done in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Another Critical element is the Body of Christ represented by the congregation of family, friends, God parents and members of the church. The most common mode of baptism at GCC is by sprinkling, conducted during a Sunday morning worship service. Gurnee Community Church has at times conducted full immersion baptisms; however this form of baptism is conducted off site at a lake, pool or at another church with appropriate facilities. Although full immersion can be a meaningful experience for the believer, we do not believe that it is essential to baptism.

What if I have other questions?
Baptism is a subject over which Bible-believing devoted followers of Jesus Christ disagree. If you have further questions regarding baptism that are not covered by the above discussion, please contact one of our Pastors or Elders to discuss this important aspect of Christianity.