Faith Only?

Many denominations teach that a person is saved when he believes in Jesus, repents of his sins and asks Jesus into his heart. The most commonly used verse to prove this is John 3:16. Of course, faith in Jesus is the cornerstone of a Christian life, but we teach that belief is the beginning of the conversion process. 

Into the Water

Baptizo: Greek word meaning to make whelmed (ie. fully wet) ... especially of the ordinance of Christian baptism. Strong`s Concordance 

The Purpose of Baptism

1. Baptism is the culmination of steps that a person takes when he desires to become a Christian. After hearing the Gospel of Jesus and His kingdom, Acts 8:12, a person either believes or rejects the Good News. Believing God’s Word enables that person to see that they are a sinner and have fallen short of the righteousness of God, Romans 3:23. This knowledge leads to repentance or a change in attitude towards sin and a commitment to live for Christ, Acts 17:30. Then a public declaration of a belief in Jesus as the Son of God in made, Acts 8:36-37, followed by baptism, Acts 8;38-39. Baptism is a commandment, Acts 10:48; Mark 16:16. 

The Difference

As a child I believed that there is a God. His Son Jesus was born in a stable and died on a cross. If a person believed this and went to church and was really "good " he or she could eventually go to Heaven. This was my concept of Christianity well into my adulthood. 

The Search

I thought I was a Christian all my life. I was baptized as a baby into the Catholic religion. I attended a Catholic school. I believed in Jesus and in everything else I was taught.

Then someone read the Bible to me. The Words cut me to the heart because what was read was not what I was taught or practised. I came to trust those Words as I realized they were what would guide me to heaven. I finally left the church of my childhood.