Baptism is the public enactment of a person’s profession of faith in Jesus Christ. In baptism, a person identifies with the life, death, resurrection and continuing ministry of Jesus Christ. It is the first act of obedience of the Christian life, followed by a lifetime of commitment to do all things as Jesus would do.

Baptists baptize by immersion; that is, a person is fully immersed in ordinary water at the hands of an already baptized member of the church--usually but not necessarily the pastor. Baptists stick with the baptismal mode of immersion, rather than “sprinkling” or “pouring,” because we believe it most clearly depicts genuine faith in God as taught in the New Testament.

The believer humbles himself by putting on a simple robe, thereby disdaining any social status as a basis for salvation. Then one enters the waters and confesses that “Jesus is Lord,” this being the earliest known confession of faith. The person is then put under the water trusting completely in the faithfulness of the administrant to raise the person up. This symbolizes the death—drowning—of one’s sin and selfish strivings in the baptismal tomb. When the person is raised up again, it is a sign that God will give the person life again after death, just as Jesus was raised from the dead.

Baptists believe God is active in baptism, blessing and calling the Christian to faithful living. Baptism is an ordinance (from “order”), that stems from the order or command of Jesus to believe and be baptized. While the idea that God is involved and personally present in baptism is to be affirmed, Baptists guard against any ideas that may imply magic (“holy water” cleansing any sin) or give to the church or clergy power that belongs only to God, as if the right to grant salvation or deny it can be in any hands other than God’s.

The water of baptism does not save. Baptism is an act of obedience to Jesus Christ and a public testimony of one's faith.

Because we view baptism as a testimony of personal faith, Wilshire does not baptize infants or young children who are not capable of making their own choice to follow Christ.

While infant baptism conveys well the sense that salvation is not dependent upon what we do but on what God has done for us, it fails to convey the full respect of God for human freedom. God does not force faith upon anyone.

Since Wilshire does not practice infant baptism, infants and children are nurtured and encouraged in the faith until such age as the child can make a personal commitment. Instead, we involve the child, the parents, godparents, extended family and congregation in a service of dedication. This meaningful service of blessing and commitment is conducted during regular worship services.