Baptism
Why is it significant for me to get baptized?
Following Christ:
In order to understand the significance for being water baptized, it is important to carefully consider what the Bible says about it: Jesus himself was baptized. He was not a sinner, yet he humbled himself in obedience to identify with us and give us an example to follow.
Mark 1:9 MSG
An act of obedience:
Water baptism is an act of faith and obedience to the commands of Christ.
Matthew 28:19-20
A public declaration:
Baptism declares that you are a follower of Jesus Christ. It is a public confession of your faith in, and commitment to, Jesus Christ. It is the next step after salvation through repentance and faith and is an important foundation for Christian life.
Mark 16:16
What is the meaning of baptism?
A move from death to life:
Baptism is a symbol of Christ’s burial and resurrection. Our entrance into the water during baptism identifies us with Christ’s death on the cross, His burial in the tomb and His resurrection from the dead.
Colossians 2:12-14
A brand-new life:
It is a symbol of your new life as a Christian. We bury the “old life” and we rise to walk in a “new life”. Baptism is like a wedding ring, it is the outward symbol of the commitment you made in your heart, a commitment that has to be followed through and lived out on a daily basis.
2 Corinthians 5:17
Romans 6:4
Baptism does not make you a believer; it shows that you already are one! Baptism does not “save” you; only your faith in Christ does that.
Ephesians 2:8,9
How are we to be baptized?
As per the example of Jesus – by being immersed in water. The word “baptize” comes from the Greek word “baptize” which means “to immerse or dip under water”.
Matthew 3:16
*If a person has a physical or mental restriction for not being baptized by immersion, please contact the Lead Pastor for additional options.
Who should be baptized?
Every person who has made the decision to believe in Christ. When Paul writes to the believers in Rome, he assumes that all of them have been baptized (Romans 6). The one requirement for baptism is belief in Christ!
Acts 2:41; Acts 8:12
We believe in baptizing children when they are old enough to understand what it means and make a personal declaration of belief.