Baptism and Belonging - Brethren in Christ Church

y R. Donald ShaferWhen a person becomes a believer in JesusChrist as Lord, then that person is beginninga whole new life. Becoming a disciple ofChrist is both a personal experience anda corporate commitment. Therefore, thecelebration of such a significant event and itsmeaning for life is important.Historically, water baptism has been theinitiation ritual and practice for nearly allChristians. It was a highlight at the beginningof Christ’s ministry and an emphasis inHis final words to the disciples before Hisascension (Matthew 3:6, 28:19).The observance of baptism has beenexpressed differently among Christian groups.They use different modes of baptism, such assprinkling, pouring, and immersion. But themajor difference among Christians concerningbaptism is whether it is administered atinfancy or when a person becomes a believer.The Brethren in Christ are among those whoadhere to believer’s baptism as an outwardsign of the inner change of heart and redirectionof life. The accepted mode forThe Brethren in Christ Church is a forwardkneeling immersion as a sign of humbleobedience. As Christ bowed his head indeath, so a believer kneels or bows insubmission to God. The three immersionsare done in honor of the Father, Son, andHoly Spirit.The Brethren in Christ are heirs of theAnabaptists, who understood that the NewTestament teaches baptism for believers(Matthew 3:13-17, Acts 2:38-41, Romans 6:4). Along with other groups, the Brethrenin Christ affirm belief in Jesus as Lord as aprerequisite to baptism.Baptism is offered to persons who obeyChrist as responsible believers. Thus, ratherthan baptizing infants, the Brethren in Christprovide a ceremony of dedication for smallchildren, as suggested by biblical examples (1Samuel 1:11, 24-28; Mark 10:13-14).The Brethren in Christ understand thatbaptism in and of itself has no power. Rather,it is a symbol of the repentance the believerhas already made. It is a celebration of theforgiveness of God. We turn to the Bible forour understanding of the rite rather than tochurch authority or tradition. The Book ofActs clearly relates believing and baptism.The conversion of Simon the magician(Acts 8:9-13), Peter’s account of the Gentileconverts (Acts 11:16-17), the Philippianjailor’s salvation (Acts 16:33-34), the beliefof Crispus, the synagogue ruler (Acts 18:8),and Paul’s words to the Ephesians (Acts 19:4-5), all have one thing in common. Theseevents tie believing and baptism together.That people “believed and were baptized”was the order of the early church. It is clearthat baptism was a symbolic rite signifyingentrance into the Christian way of life.Baptism is a sign of belonging to the newKingdom. The Brethren in Christ perceivebelieving followed by baptism as essentialto becoming a member of Christ’s body. Forus, the body of Christ is a visible group of

people. The church is not primarily a place,a list of doctrines or beliefs, or even anorganization. Rather it is a particular group ofpersons who are members together in Christ.It is the local congregation.In writing on the patterns of church life,Norman Bert describes baptism andbelonging in the early days of the Brethren inChrist Church:“Baptism was the door through which thenew convert entered the church and tookthe first step on the road of discipleship andbrotherhood. Baptism occurred like this:a meeting would be called because someconverts had applied for baptism.“In this meeting, the Brethren would listen asthe applicants testified to their experience ofthe new birth and expressed their acceptanceof the Bible doctrines as practiced by theBrethren in Christ. After the testimonies, theassembled Brethren accepted or rejected eachapplicant. Those who were accepted werepresently baptized in a nearby stream or lake.“They regarded baptism as the first act ofChristian obedience on the part of the newbeliever after his conversion.... Baptismwas a brotherhood affair-all the brethrenparticipated in accepting this new convert asone of themselves.”1Both the early church and the founders ofthe Brethren in Christ affirmed baptism asa sign of belief in Christ and belonging tohis body. Baptism was the outward sign thata person not only believed in Jesus, but wasalso entering into a covenant relationshipwith responsibility to the worldwide Christianchurch. It was a symbol of incorporationinto the church. This is consistent with theunderstanding that Christ’s body is a visiblegroup of believers. Baptism is a sign of one’sbecoming a believer in the church universal,and the church universal is composed ofcongregations. The Christian is committedto and participates in a local expression ofChrist’s body.Thus, baptism is the sign of a new life whichis personal but is not in isolation. It needs tobe followed by one’s commitment to a givenlocal church. A believer is baptized in themidst of a specific group. At the same timea believer is baptized into the family of God,and that is expressed visibly by a covenant ormembership in a local church.The Brethren in Christ understandmembership as a covenant. Belonging toChrist’s body is somewhat like marriage.It takes real commitment and work forthe covenant to have lasting meaning.Membership is a covenant that is entered intowith intention and love. While baptism andmembership are not synonymous, they areclosely related.Each believer makes his or her covenant witha given local church. This commitment isusually called membership. Such a covenantshould occur as near to the time of baptismas practical. Our covenant with a givenlocal congregation is dependent upon acontinued relationship. Upon relocating, aperson’s membership is affirmed with the newcongregation. Those who wish to covenantwith the Brethren in Christ and who havebeen previously baptized as believers are notrequired to be rebaptized.If believers understand the commitment theyare making in baptism, this will becomeevident in their love and care of othermembers of Christ’s family. To belong to Christ’schurch is to take an active part in relating to andbuilding up the body of believers.For the Brethren in Christ, baptism is the signthat a believer is publicly beginning the newlife and is becoming a responsible member ofa congregation and denomination. Believer’sbaptism is indeed a significant event, adeliberate act based on personal belief in

Jesus as Lord. It is also the symbol of a newlife and belonging to a new family. It is acommitment to a lifelong journey with fellowbelievers, an act of obedience to follow theLord and love His people.1. Norman Bert, Adventure in Discipleship