Salvation & Baptism - The Foundations of Faith

Understanding Salvation and Baptism

1. Salvation - New Life in Christ

      "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith - and this is not from yourselves, it is the       gift of God." --Ephesians 2:8-9

At Riverwood, we believe salvation is the starting point of a lifelong journey with Jesus. It's not something we earn or achieve - it's a gift of grace received through faith.

Salvation begins when we recognize our sin and our need for Jesus as Savior (Romans 3:23; 6:23). Through His death and resurrection, Jesus restores us to a right relationship with God (John 3:16). From that moment on, we begin following Him daily - growing, learning, and living out our faith in community (Luke 9:23).

In Short: Salvation is receiving God's grace through faith in Jesus - the beginning of a lifelong relationship with Him.

2. Baptism - An Outward Expression of Inward Faith

     "Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead...we should also walk in the newness of life." --Romans 6:4

Baptism is a public declaration of a personal decision - a way of saying, "I belong to Jesus." It symbolizes that your old life has been buried and your new life has begun in Christ.

Jesus Himself was baptized and commands His followers to do the same (Matthew 28:19-20). At Riverwood, we view baptism as a joyful celebration - a moment to share what God has done in your life with your church family. 

We also recognize and honor the meaningful tradition of infant or child baptism. While we believe baptism does not itself bring salvation, we see it as a beautiful act of dedication - a commitment between parents, the church, and God to raise that child in the way of Jesus. It reflects faith in what God will do in the child's future, trusting that one day, they will make their own personal decision to follow Christ.

In Short: Baptism is how we publicly declare our faith and celebrate the new life we've found in Jesus, whether as a believer choosing to be baptized, or as a family dedicating a child to be raised in faith.