Christian Baptism as understood and practiced by Seventh Day Baptists always means immersion, a complete burial of the body in water. In this they believe they follow the example of Jesus and perpetuate the only form of baptism used by the New Testament Christians. John the Baptist came baptizing. He taught that even the Children of Abraham needed a new birth through repentance and faith as a preparation for entering the new messianic kingdom, and his baptism was a token of this religious and moral change: John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus (Acts 19:4).

Jesus Is Baptized

Jesus went to John for baptism not because he himself needed repentance and a new moral birth, but as an example and a sign of the fellowship he had for those whom he came to save: Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfill all righteousness (Matthew 3:15). According to Matthew 3:16, And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water. And in Mark 1:10, we read: And straightway coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens opened, and the Spirit like a dove descended upon him. So it seems very clear that Jesus, when he was baptized, went down into the water and came up out of the water.

Christian Baptism at the Beginning of a Life of Faith

Baptism is for believers only. on the day of Pentecost, after Peter preached to the multitude, many were convicted of their sins, and they turned to Peter and the rest of the apostles and said: Men and brethren, what shall we do? Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost... Then they gladly received his word and were baptized (Acts 2:37, 38, 41).

When Philip had instructed the Ethiopian, the Ethiopian said: See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? ... And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him. And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip (Acts 8:34-39).

These are illustrations to show that baptism was an immediate step for those who were beginning the Christian life.

Baptism an Outward Sign of an Inward Experienc

St. Paul strongly emphasized the symbolic character of baptism. He held that one who had accepted Christ had died to his old life and had become a new man. In baptism Paul found a perfect symbol of this great transformation. Putting a new Christian under the baptismal waters signified death and burial to the old life, and his rising from the waters symbolized a resurrection into a new life with Christ. 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...Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord (Romans 6:1-14).

When an individual knows in his penitent heart that his sins are forgiven and that he has accepted Christ as his Savior, he is ready to make confession of that experience through the symbol of baptism.

Baptism a Door of Entrance into the Church

From the beginning of the Christian Church, baptism has been practiced as a sacramental act preparing the individual for church membership. In Acts 2:41, we read: then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. And again we read, I Corinthians 12:12, 13: For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.

The invariable order in the New Testament is to accept Christ as Savior, to be baptized, and then to be recognized as a member of the church. Jesus indicated this order as recorded in Mark 16:16: He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved. What can be more fitting than that one who has accepted Christ should come into the church through confession and symbolism which are inherent in baptism?

Baptism Brings a Special Blessing

In the early Church it was expected that baptism would be witnessed by a special gift of Holy Spirit. At the baptism of Jesus a voice from heaven bore witness saying, Thou art my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased (Mark 1:11). Peter exhorted the multitude to repent and be baptized, and assured them that they would receive the gift of the Holy Spirit: Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38). In baptism confession is made of allegiance to Jesus, and in response Jesus bestows a special blessing.

The Disciples Were Sent Out To Baptize

In view of Biblical teachings, which are by no means covered in this brief discussion, Seventh Day Baptists recognize immersion as the mode of Christian Baptism, appropriate and fitting at the beginning of the Christian life and as a door of entrance into the Christian Church. Baptism is included in the Great Commission. When Jesus was leaving the work in the hands of his disciples, he commanded: Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost (Matthew 28:19).