Baptism is when a person who has repented and put their faith in Jesus is immersed in water. In baptism, they are united with Christ in His death and resurrection and begin a new life with Him. We are saved by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8), and those who trust in Jesus are called to repent and be baptized.

The Greek word translated “baptize” means to immerse or dip. Immersion also fits the picture in Romans 6 of being buried with Christ and raised to new life. The New Testament examples also fit this pattern (Acts 8:38-39). For these reasons, HCC baptizes by full immersion.

Baptism is for all who are ready to repent and confess Jesus Christ as Lord (Matt. 28:19; Acts 2:38–39). For those who were sprinkled as infants, we’re thankful for parents who cared about their child’s faith and wanted to honor God. However, we believe infant baptism does not match the New Testament pattern, which shows people hearing the gospel, personally trusting in Jesus, repenting of their sins, and being baptized. For that reason, we encourage those who were sprinkled as infants to personally trust in Jesus, repent of their sins, and be baptized by immersion.

Throughout the New Testament, people who believe in Jesus are told to repent and be baptized. The New Testament connects baptism with the forgiveness of sins and the gift of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38), being united with Christ (Galatians 3:27), and asking God for a clean conscience (1 Peter 3:21). There is nothing special or magical about the water itself. God is the One who saves. The New Testament shows baptism as the time when God gives forgiveness and new life to those who believe and repent (Acts 22:16, Romans 6:3-4).

Professor Jon Weatherly of Johnson University summarizes the need for baptism this way: “Baptism signifies the sinner asking the Lord for the blessings of salvation, and the Lord responds by granting those blessings. Baptism is more than ‘an outward sign of an inward grace,’ or ‘an act of obedience,’ though it is at least those things. Baptism is the divinely authorized act by which the repentant sinner approaches God and in which God fulfills his promises to the repentant sinner.”

Any person who has trusted in Jesus as the only Son of God and who has willingly been immersed into Christ may become a member of Huron Christian Church, whether the baptism occurred at HCC or elsewhere. If someone was baptized without personally trusting in Jesus, or just because someone else pressured them to do it, we would encourage them to be baptized as a believer. If someone has questions about their earlier baptism or whether it reflected the biblical purpose of baptism, we encourage them to talk with a ministry leader.

We believe that parents have the primary responsibility for their children’s spiritual development (Deut. 6:4–9). At HCC, we seek to partner with families to help children take meaningful steps of faith. We believe that baptism should come from a child’s personal decision, not merely a parent’s desire. We want children to understand the gospel, know who Jesus is, and personally choose to trust and follow Him before being baptized (Acts 8:12).

Scripture sets no minimum age, so we do not either. Instead, we seek biblical readiness. We want children to be able to clearly explain what the gospel is, who Jesus is, and why they personally want to be baptized. Parents and ministry leaders should pray and talk with the child to help determine whether they understand what baptism means and are choosing to follow Jesus for themselves.