The Church of the Brethren practices what is called "believers' baptism" by trine immersion in obedience to the teachings of the New Testament. We have practiced this form of baptism since our beginnings in Germany in 1708. In not too distantly past times, baptism was sometimes held outdoors in a creek or a river. The season of the year was not a limiting factor. One can find individuals in the church today who were baptized in a creek in January, after the ice had been broken so they could gain access to the water! When questioned about the frigid nature of such a baptism, the typical response is, "And no one got sick." Today we usually baptize indoors in the church building in a baptistery as part of a worship service. We continue the practice of completely immersing individuals three times as they are baptized. This practice of trine immersion was the reason for our early, somewhat derisive nickname of "Dunkers."

We call our form of baptism "believers' baptism" because we do not baptize infants. This rite is of such great importance for Christians that we believe it must be carefully measured as individuals count well the cost of discipleship to Jesus Christ. Because it is not something to be entered into lightly, we wait until an individual is able to understand the significance of baptism and make a personal response to Jesus Christ before baptizing them. We believe baptism is (1) an act of obedience to the teachings and example of Christ, (2) an outward expression of an inward desire to follow Jesus Christ as it symbolizes cleansing and renewal, (3) entering into a covenant relationship with God as we confess a belief in Jesus Christ and willingly take our place in his church, and (4) an ordination into ministry. In addition to pastors or other ordained ministers in the Church of the Brethren, we believe all individuals, at the time of their baptisms, are called to be ministers in the body of Christ in keeping with the New Testament concept of the priesthood of all believers.

Baptism is a beginning, a starting point in a life of discipleship to Jesus Christ. It is the beginning of a wonderful and exciting journey of relating to God as we assume the costly responsibilities of following Jesus Christ.