Confession
We believe that when people receive God's gift of salvation,
they are to be baptized in the name of the Father, Son and Holy
Spirit. Baptism is a sign of having been cleansed from sin.
It is a covenant with the church to walk in the way of Christ
through the power of the Spirit.
Meaning
Baptism by water is a public sign that a person has repented
of sins, received forgiveness of sins, died with Christ to sin,
been raised to newness of life and received the Holy Spirit.
Baptism is a sign of the believer's incorporation into the body
of Christ as expressed in the local church. Baptism is also
a pledge to serve Christ according to the gifts given to each
person.
Eligibility
Baptism is for those who confess Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior
and commit themselves to follow Christ in obedience as members
of the local church. Baptism is for those who understand its
meaning, are able to be accountable to Christ and the church,
and voluntarily request it on the basis of their faith response
to Jesus Christ.
Practice
We practice water baptism by immersion administered by the local
church. Local congregations may receive into membership those
who have been baptized by another mode on their confession of
faith. Persons who claim baptism as infants and wish to become
members of a Mennonite Brethren congregation are to receive
baptism on their confession of faith.
Matthew 3:13-17; Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 2:38; Romans 6:2-6;
I Corinthians 12:13; Colossians 2:12-13; Galatians 3:26-27; Ephesians
4:4-6.
