Be The Light Sanctuary

The Mode of Water Baptism

According to the Scriptures, the proper mode of baptism is immersion. “And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water” (Matthew 3:16). “And they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him” (Acts 8:38). “Therefore, we are buried with him by baptism into death” (Romans 6:4). A corpse is not buried by placing it on top of the ground and sprinkling a little soil on it, but by covering it completely.

Repentance identifies us with the death of Christ, and baptism identifies us with His burial. Coming forth from the watery grave of baptism and receiving new life in the Holy Spirit identifies us with His resurrection.

Jesus commanded His disciples to “teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost” (Matthew 28:19). 

Luke 24:45-47 records that just before His ascension, Jesus opened the disciples’ understanding. It was necessary that their understanding be opened, and many today need this same operation in order to understand the Scriptures. Then Jesus said to them, “Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day.” The disciples had their understanding opened so that they could grasp the vast importance of the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ. Verse 47 describes the commission that Jesus then gave: “And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations [Jews and Gentiles], beginning at Jerusalem.”

What is Water Baptism

Once a person admits that he or she is a sinner and turns to Christ for salvation, the Bible says that a person should proclaim the life change that has occurred; the watching world needs to know. Baptism has always stood as a kind of public testimony for people who have become believers.

Believers are those who have realized that their sin has separated them from God. They have given up all efforts to reach God through good works or religious activity. They have concluded that Jesus Christ's death on the cross for their sins is the only thing that can bridge the gap between them and God. A believer is someone who has decided to trust Christ alone for his or her salvation.

If you have come to this point in your spiritual journey, then you are ready to be baptized. Just as a bride and groom tell of their love for one another through the symbol of rings, you should also want to show the world, through Baptism, of your union with Christ. Let the miracle that has happened in you show through the sacrament He ordained for you.

The Importance of Water Baptism

Christian water baptism is an ordinance instituted by Jesus Christ. If it is not important in the plan of God, why did Jesus command it in Matthew 28:19? And why did Peter follow up by saying, “Be baptized every one of you,” and by commanding the Gentiles to be baptized (Acts 2:38; 10:48)? We must remember two points about the importance of water baptism. First, whatever Christ definitely established and ordained cannot be unimportant, whether we understand its significance or not. Second, Christ and the apostles showed the importance of this ordinance by observing it. Jesus walked many miles to be baptized, though He was without sin, saying, “For thus it becometh us to fulfill all righteousness” (See Matthew 3:13-16.)

It is true that water itself does not contain any saving virtue, but God has chosen to include it in His plan of salvation. Peter explained, “Baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ” (I Peter 3:21). According to Luke 7:30, “the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the counsel of God against themselves, being not baptized.”

The following are our core beliefs based on the foundational truths taught in the Bible. All of our teaching and ministry is rooted in these doctrines.

The Bible

The Bible is the inspired word of God, a revelation from God to man, the living, never-failing, always-effective word of God, and a guide to how we should live that is far better than even our conscience or reason. It was written by human authors under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit. Because it was inspired by God, the Bible is truth without error and is completely relevant to our daily lives.

The Trinity

The Trinity is comprised of 3 distinct personalities — The Father, The Son, and The Holy Spirit — who are eternally self-existent and self-revealed, and function as one entity. God has existed in relationship with Himself for all eternity, meaning all three personalities of the Trinity — God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit — have existed for all eternity. Although each member of the Trinity serves different functions, they each possess equal power and authority.

God the Father

God is great: He is all-powerful, all-knowing, ever-present, unchanging, completely worthy of our trust, and above all, Holy. It is in Him that we live, move, and exist. God is good. He is our Father. He is loving, compassionate, and faithful to His people and His promises.

God the Son

Jesus Christ is completely human but, at the same time, completely God. He is the only plan for bringing people who are far from God back into a right relationship with God. He lived a perfect life so that He could be a substitution for us in satisfying God’s demands for perfection. He died and gave His life and then defeated death in His resurrection so that we can have life.

God the Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit’s presence assures us of our relationship with Christ. He guides believers into all truth and exalts Christ. He convicts people of their sin, God’s righteousness, and the coming judgment. He comforts us, gives us spiritual gifts, and makes us more like Christ.

The Baptism of the Holy Spirit

The Baptism in the Holy Spirit is evidenced by the initial physical sign of speaking with other tongues as the Spirit gives us what to say and is followed by the power to be Christ’s witness by the way we live our lives and in how we serve others around us. God enabled the born-again believer to pray perfectly by praying in the Spirit, speaking in tongues. Speaking in tongues is to pray perfectly. God knows our need and praying in the Spirit is perfect for any situation. 

Eternity

Man was created to exist forever. He will exist either eternally separated from God by sin or in union with God through forgiveness and salvation through making Jesus Lord and Savior of our lives. To be eternally separated from God is Hell. To be eternally in union with Him is Heaven. Heaven and Hell are places of eternal existence.

Mankind

Man is made in the image of God and is the supreme object of His creation. Man was created to have fellowship with God but became separated in that relationship through sinful disobedience. As a result, man cannot attain a right relationship with God through his own effort.

Salvation

The blood of Jesus Christ, shed on the cross, provides the only way of salvation through the forgiveness of sin. Salvation occurs when people place their faith in the death and resurrection of Christ as sufficient payment for their sin and make Him Lord of their lives. Salvation is a gift from God, and it cannot be earned through our own efforts.

The Church

The Church is God’s chosen vehicle to reach the world. It is a body of believers unified through faith in Christ. It is committed to the teachings of Christ and obeying all of His commands, and it seeks to bring the Gospel to the world. The Church works together in love and unity, intent on the ultimate purpose of glorifying Christ. 

Baptism in Water

Baptism by immersion is commanded by the Scriptures. All who repent and believe on Christ as Savior and Lord should be baptized. Baptism is a public declaration of our faith. It declares to the world that we have died with Christ and that we also have been raised with Him to walk in newness of life.

Communion

It’s not about the bread and wine: it’s about the body and blood of Jesus. Communion is not an obligation, but a celebration. Communion is important because it’s a command to remember. Communion consists of the elements, the bread and the wine/juice. It is a symbol expressing our sharing the divine nature of our Lord Jesus Christ, a memorial of his suffering and death, and a prophecy of His second coming. In communion, we are giving thanks and praise to God for His Son. Communion always points us back to Christ. The Bible encourages us to go to communion in the right spirit.

The Church

The Church is the visible body of Christ, sent into the world to glorify God and proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Vision

To inspire, empower, and equip all to fulfill the Great Commission. 

Mission

To bring others into a relationship with Christ.

Core Beliefs

There is a soul that needs to be saved. It's our duty and privilege to find them. Luke 14:22-23

We are all called to the Great Commission. Matthew 28: 18-20

We must be involved in our community by example. Mark 10:45