There’s an order and a process to how we gain spiritual maturity. If we don’t go through the process with baptism, being guided by the Holy Spirit to spiritual maturity would be like trying to put the horse before the cart.

The ROCK upon which Christian believers lay the foundation to ‘go on to maturity’ is Jesus Christ: 1 Peter 2:5. Jesus Christ is the chief cornerstone. The foundation stones, which are laid on the ROCK, Christ Jesus, are unmistakably identified in Hebrews 6:1-3. The foundation stones are:

• Repentance from dead works 
• Faith toward God 
• The doctrine of baptisms (in Water and in the Holy Spirit) 
• Laying on of hands 
• Resurrection of the dead 
• Eternal judgment

Baptism is not optional. The important significance of water baptism as a scriptural command in the New Testament usually occurred ‘when they believed’ (Acts 8:12), ‘the same hour and immediately’ (Acts 16:29-33) or ‘that same day’ (Acts 2:41).

The priority of the commission or authority Jesus gave to His disciples, concerning the Great Commission in the Gospels; commands water baptism as necessary and foundational to be a ‘hearer and a doer’ of the teaching of Christ (Matthew 28:18-20 and Mark 16:15-18).

In Acts, on the Day of Pentecost beginning in Jerusalem, water baptism was undeniably necessary, and a commandment along with laying a foundation of repentance and remission of sins for believers (Acts 2:38-41).

Philip, a young deacon and evangelist from Jerusalem, traveled down to Samaria to preach the gospel of the Kingdom, and water baptism was a foundational commitment (not optional) in preaching the Kingdom of God (Acts 8:12, 26-38).The preaching of Jesus included WATER BAPTISM as a foundational mandate. Clearly water baptism was part of preaching the Gospel of the Kingdom of God, and one of the foundational stone experiences concerning the Kingdom of God. 

Saul’s persecution of Christians ended when he became blind for three days. After his miraculous restoration of sight, he was converted to Christianity. (Acts 8:1-3; 9:1-19). Saul, who became the Apostle Paul, was baptized without delay. Paul later recounted his testimony (Acts 22:3-21), including the urgency of water baptism.

The Apostle Peter was led by the Holy Spirit to leave Joppa and travel to Caesarea to the house of Cornelius, a devout man who was a Roman centurion. Cornelius gathered his relatives and friends to hear Peter preach about Jesus; and during the message Peter was astonished that these Gentiles were baptized in the Holy Spirit, speaking with other tongues (languages) and magnifying God. Then Peter addressing the Jews traveling with him commanded them in water baptism (Acts 10:1-47). 

It’s obvious that Ananias with Saul in Damascus, and Peter at the house of Cornelius, believed water baptism is a foundational truth of utmost importance to be a ‘hearer and a doer’ of the teaching of Christ.

In the early years of the church when the Apostle Paul came into Europe to the City of Philippi, and he preached the gospel foundational principle of water baptism to (Acts 16). 

The scriptural pattern in the New Testament was to: Repent, Believe, Be Baptized in Water, and Receive the Gift of the Holy Spirit. A believer ‘Lays A Christian Foundation’ by being a ‘Hearer and A Doer’ of the teaching (doctrine) of Christ.

Under the Old Covenant (Testament), Abraham and his seed had the ‘Old Covenant Sign’ of outward circumcision performed in the physical flesh of the foreskin upon all male children at eight days old (Genesis 17)

Under the New Covenant, the children (seed) of Abraham which are the children of faith, receive the ‘New Covenant Sign’ of inward circumcision in Water Baptism performed upon their hearts by the Lord Jesus Christ, who is the minister of the circumcision, as they are buried and raised with Christ through faith in the operation of God (Galatians 3:26-29 and Colossians 2:11-12)

In Water Baptism we receive the New Covenant sign or seal of the inward circumcision of heart – a putting on of Christ, baptized INTO CHRIST – set apart unto God by a spiritual circumcision of the heart.

We believe that the age of accountability should be reached before someone is baptized. This means they are mature enough to be held accountable before the Lord. This age is different for every person. 

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