Baptism at River Oaks

According to Jesus' final words before returning to heaven, he commanded his disciples to "go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit." (Matthew 28:19) Thus, as a church committed to making fully devoted followers of Christ, we urge everyone who claims Christ as Lord and Savior to be baptized.

Baptism is not what saves a person, but is the act by which one confesses before others that he or she is a follower of Christ. Salvation is the act were a person, realizing that his or her sins have offended a holy God, accepts Jesus' payment on the cross for their sins and asks him to be their Lord and Savior.

The difference between baptism and salvation is like the difference between a wedding and a wedding ring. It is at the wedding ceremony that a couple makes vows to one another and becomes husband and wife. The rings they wear communicate to others that they are married and committed to one another. Salvation is equivalent to the wedding ceremony where a person begins their relationship with God; baptism is the ring which publicly communicates the relationship.

"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith-and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God-not of works, so that no one can boast." Ephesians 2:8-9