Christian water baptism was established by Jesus when He called His apostles to make disciples of all nations and to baptize them in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:18–20). Christian and Missionary Alliance churches encourage all followers of Jesus to be baptized.

"We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life (Romans 6:4, ESV)."

"For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ (Galatians 3:27, ESV)."

In the Early Church, baptisms were conducted in public places and identified the person as a follower of Christ. Today, baptisms are often performed inside church buildings, yet a public demonstration of faith in Jesus remains part of the practice. The person who is baptized publicly declares Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.

"Therefore go and make disciples of all nations,  baptizing them in the name of the Father and of  the Son and of the Holy Spirit."
Matthew 28:19

Baptism followed repentance and faith for the Early Church. The apostle Peter invited his listeners on the Day of Pentecost to: “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” —Acts 2:38

Three thousand people responded to the invitation, and those who accepted his message were baptized (Acts 2:41). Alliance churches follow the same practice of baptism for those who have repented of sin and put their faith in Jesus Christ.

The apostle Paul explained that baptism also represents the believer’s union with Christ (Romans 6:3–4). Immersion in water symbolizes the end of the old way of life. Coming up out of the water represents the new life found in Christ.

The person who was previously dead in sin has been made spiritually alive by the same power that raised Jesus from the grave. United with Him, the believer is released from the power of sin. Paul portrays this life change as putting on new clothes (Galatians 3:27).

In the two full accounts of baptism found in the New Testament, believers were immersed in water. Jesus was baptized by John in the Jordan River to identify Himself as God’s Son, and after He was baptized, he went up out of the water (Matthew 3:16). The apostle Philip baptized the Ethiopian by going down into the water and coming up with him (Acts 8:38–39).  In both of these examples, a large enough body of water was required to immerse the person. Because of the meaning of the word “baptize” and the mode of the first baptisms, Alliance churches practice baptism by immersion.

"And when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him" (Matthew 3:16, ESV).

^"38And he commanded the chariot to stop, and they both went down into the water, Philip and the eunuch, and he baptized him. ³⁹And when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord carried Philip away, and the eunuch saw him no more, and went on his way rejoicing (Acts 8:38-39)."

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We can’t wait to celebrate this decision with you!