Baptism
1. It illustrates Christ’s burial and resurrection.
1 Corinthians 15:3-4 “For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures,”
Colossians 2:12 “having been buried with Him in baptism, in which you were also raised up with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead.”
2. It illustrates my new life as a Christian.
2 Corinthians 5:17 “Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.”
Romans 6:4 “Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life.”
3. Baptism doesn’t make you a believer.
It shows that you already believe. Baptism does not save you; only your faith in Christ does that. Baptism is like a wedding ring – it’s the outward symbol of the commitment you make in your heart.
Ephesians 2:8-9 “For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.”
1. Because Jesus was baptized that way.
Matthew 3:16 “After being baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove and lighting on Him,”
2. Every baptism in the Bible was by immersion.
The word Baptize means “to dip under water”. The Greek word baptize means “to immerse or dip under water”. It best symbolized a burial and resurrection! Acts 8:38-39 (NIV) “And he gave orders to stop the chariot. Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and Philip baptized him. When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord suddenly took Philip away, and the eunuch did not see him again, but went on his way rejoicing.”
3. The founders of denominations agree:
“I would have those who are to be baptized to be entirely immersed, as the work imports and the mystery signifies.” Martin Luther
“The word “baptize” signifies to immerse. It is certain that immersion was the practice of the ancient church.” John Calvin
“Buried with Him, alludes to baptizing by immersion according to the custom of the first church.” John Wesley
Every person who has believed in Christ.
Acts 2:41 “”So then, those who had received his word were baptized;”
Acts 8:12 “But when they believed Philip preaching the good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were being baptized, men and women alike.”
When it comes to our children, we want them to fully understand the meaning of their salvation, and why they are being baptized, before we baptize them. We do not baptize infants. We do however, have a “Parent Dedication” service to allow parents to publicly confess, that they will commit to raise their children in a Godly home teaching them the Word of God, and praying for them daily to come to know Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.
As soon as you have believed.
Acts 2:41(NIV) “Those who believe…were baptized…that day!”
Acts 8:35-38 “Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning from this Scripture he preached Jesus to him. As they went along the road they came to some water; and the eunuch *said, “Look! Water! What prevents me from being baptized?” And Philip said, “If you believe with all your heart, you may.” And he answered and said, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.” And he ordered the chariot to stop; and they both went down into the water, Philip as well as the eunuch, and he baptized him.”
There is no reason to delay. As soon as you have decided to receive Jesus Christ into your life you can and should be baptized. It is that first step of obedience that proclaims to the church family that you are a believer and are striving to live for Jesus Christ. We baptize whenever a person is ready to take that next step.
Dark shorts and dark colored t-shirt are preferred over a swimsuit. Bring a change of clothes, a towel and a plastic bag for your wet clothes. We provide a changing area.
We will do whatever possible to ensure that a person can be baptized. If some limitation makes it impossible to be baptized at the church, we will perform the baptism at a place that accommodates the needs of the person being baptized.
You can come forward at the end of any regular church service or contact your Connect Group leader, a deacon, or a member of our staff.
16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.