Given the fact that CFCC is home to individuals from various backgrounds in the Christian faith who practice baptism differently, the elders offer the following in order to clarify, unify, and edify the Body of Christ at CyFair Christian Church. 
 
Scripture teaches that Jesus’s disciples are to follow his example in baptism. At CFCC our mission is cultivate fully devoted disciples of Jesus. Toward this end, baptism is an essential step in discipleship. Whether a person is going through the New Member’s Class at CFCC or coming to faith in Jesus for the first time, we are always encouraging and teaching that baptism is an important step in their journey of faith. If someone is joining CFCC and comes from a church that practiced baptism differently than CFCC, the leadership will gladly talk with these individuals in order determine the next steps. We respect the fact that we all approach this important decision in different ways and at different times in our life. We look forward to supporting you as you plan to take this step in your journey to becoming a fully devoted disciple of Jesus.

Baptism is part of our growth and maturity¹. Jesus was fully immersed in the river when he was baptized. As he came up out of the river, God the Father identified him as His son with whom He was pleased². Other stories of baptism in the New Testament indicate the full immersion of new believers upon their confession of faith in Jesus. Given these examples in Scripture, we practice baptism by immersion at CFCC. Moreover, the act of coming out of the water identifies us with the church of Jesus Christ. It’s the mark of those who are in Christ and with whom God the Father is pleased! The baptism of believers, then, follows Jesus’ example in baptism and marks Jesus’s followers as those whom belong to God the Father.

The Bible also teaches that we are, by God’s grace, spiritually joined with Christ in his death and resurrection³. With this in mind, baptism is a powerful symbol of this spiritual reality. Going beneath the waters in baptism is a powerful demonstration of our union with Christ in death. Coming up out of the waters of baptism is a symbol of our new life in our resurrection with Jesus. Having been spiritually united with Jesus in his death, Scripture teaches that the stain of sin is washed away. As such, the penalty has been paid by Christ for our sin. The water in baptism symbolizes this spiritual cleansing received by the grace of God in Christ. In fact, the Greek word used in the Bible for baptism is baptizō, which means to wash by dipping or immersion⁴.

In Christ we now have an eternal covenant relationship with God. Like the rings in marriage symbolize the commitment between a husband and wife, so baptism is a covenant symbol of our relationship with God. Just as the married couple understands that the rings aren’t what keeps them married, so we understand that baptism points to our relationship with God. The believer must not confuse their faith in God’s grace with the symbols that point to that faith and gift of grace. When it comes to baptism, CFCC does not believe that baptism offers remission for sins or that it regenerates the person’s heart causing them to be born again in Christ. True spiritual transformation is the work of God by grace through faith in Jesus Christ alone⁵. Again, baptism is an act of obedient faith in response to what God has done in and through Jesus. 

While we practice baptism by full immersion at CFCC, we do not require someone to be baptized again if they have been sprinkled with water upon confession of faith in Jesus. Confession in Jesus as their Lord and Savior at baptism is key. As we stated earlier, we believe that everyone is at a different place in their journey of faith in Jesus. While we hold to the significance of baptism for everyone on this journey, we are committed to discussing this matter, as well as other issues related to faith, in a respectful and relational context. We look forward to answering your questions and getting better acquainted with where you are in your journey with Jesus. 

We celebrate the gift of children by performing baby dedications. In these services, the parents, family members, and church dedicate themselves to raising the child in the gospel of Jesus Christ. Once the child begins showing a simple and clear understanding of their need for God’s grace in Christ Jesus, the child and parent are encouraged to attend a baptism class led by our children’s ministry team. Children will be baptized by immersion upon their confession of faith in Jesus Christ for salvation. Adults wishing to be baptized will visit with a church leader in preparation for their baptism by immersion upon their confession of faith in Jesus Christ for salvation.

1 For more information about membership at CFCC, please review our Covenant for Membership and plan on attending our New Member’s Class.

2 Matthew 3:16-17

3 Matthew 28:19-20; Acts 2:38

4 Romans 6:3-8; Colossians 2:11

5 Matthew 3; Mark 1; 10:38; Luke 3; John 1:25-28; Acts 2:38-41

Listen to a sermon about baptism at CFCC. Download

To speak to a pastor about baptism at CFCC, email baptism@cfccnet.org.