At Rio Vista Church, providing the sacrament of baptism is one of the most important and sacred privileges we have as a church. As described in the Westminster Confession of Faith, we believe that baptism in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, is a sign of the covenant of grace (as a ring is a sign of the marriage covenant) and is to be given to Christians and their children.
Baptism is the mark of membership in the body of Christ. It is the foundation and the front door to the faith. We are commanded by Jesus to be baptized to continue to learn and grow as his disciples.
The Bible clearly teaches that baptism is the first step of obedience after making a commitment to Christ. Baptism allows a believer to communicate to the world their heart-felt commitment to Christ. It is an outward expression of an inward change. Jesus said,
“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 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, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matt. 28:18-20).
We baptize children whose parents know Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord and are members of this church, as well as adult believers who were never baptized as children.
Perhaps one of the most common questions asked of us is, ‘Why do you baptize infants and children who have not yet made a public profession of faith in Christ?’ The simple answer to this question is that we are convinced that both the Bible and early church history support the practice of household baptism, which includes infants and young children (Acts 2:39; 1 Corinthians 7:14).
Baptism signifies the covenant of grace that God has made with believers and their young children. When children receive the water of baptism, they are marked as part of God’s covenant family in which they will have the privilege of being raised within the community of faith (the Church) by parents who endeavor to set before them a godly example, pray with and for them, and teach them the doctrines of the Christian faith.
In the Presbyterian tradition we baptize adults who demonstrate both a genuine faith in Jesus Christ, a desire to join the Rio Vista Church family, and have not yet been baptized in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
All adults must go through the membership process at Rio Vista Church, consisting of the Membership Class. Once you are approved for membership, you will be eligible for baptism. The baptism will be the last step in the membership process.
