Baptism is an important 1st step as Christians. It’s a ancient tradition demonstrated to us by Jesus as an outward symbol celebrating the inner commitment we've made to follow Him. If you’ve made the decision to follow Christ and If you've not yet been baptized, we invite you to take this important next step.
WHAT SHOULD I EXPECT?
● The day of baptism you'll meet up with a baptism host who will then guide you through the process of when the baptism will take place within the service. Baptism usually takes place at the front end of the service during a song. For the actual baptism, a pastor will help you enter the baptism tub and will briefly lower you just under the water for a quick moment and then raise you back out of the water. We’ll then take a quick picture. You can then exit the tub, get changed and then join in the remainder of the service. That next week we'll send you a baptism certificate & photo in the mail so you can remember your special experience. Also, please feel free to invite your family and friends to attend your baptism. It's a celebration so the more the merrier.
WHAT SHOULD I WEAR WHEN I AM BAPTIZED?
● Wear a black t-shirt and dark bottoms for modesty. Also, bring a change of clothes, a towel, and a plastic bag for your wet items. We'll provide bathrooms that you can change in.
WHAT IS THE MEANING OF BAPTISM?
● It illustrates Christ’s burial and resurrection. "Christ died for our sins... He was buried... and He rose again." - I Corinthians 15:3-4 ● It illustrates my new life as a Christian. "When someone becomes a Christian they become a brand new person inside. The old life has passed away and a new life has begun!" - 2 Corinthians 5:17 ● It connects me to a local group of Christians (a church). “Those who believed…were baptized and added to the church that day.” - Acts 2:41
● To follow the example set by Jesus. “At that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan [river].” - Mark 1:9 ● Because Jesus commanded it. “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.” - Matthew 28:19-20 ● Because it shows that I’m a Christian. “…And many of the Corinthians who heard him believed and were baptized.” - Acts 18:8 ● Because following Jesus commands shows that I know Him. “And we can be sure that we know Him if we obey his commandments.” - 1 John 2:3
HOW SHOULD I BE BAPTIZED?
● Like Jesus was, by being fully immersed under water. "After His baptism, Jesus came up out of the water...." - Matthew 3:16 ● Like the Bible teaches - every baptism in the Bible was by immersion. "And they went down into the water, and Philip baptized him. When they came up out of the water... " - Acts 8:38-39 ○ The word Baptize means "To dip under water" ○ The Greek word Baptizo means "To immerse or dip under water" ○ Immersion best symbolized a burial and resurrection
WHO SHOULD BE BAPTIZED?
● Every person who has believed in Christ! ○ "Those who believed…were baptized..." - Acts 2:41 ○ "But when they believed Philip as he preached the Good News... and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women." - Acts 8:12 ○ "Simon himself believed and was baptized..." - Acts 8:13 ○ Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women." - Acts 8:12 ● We wait until our children can begin a personal relationship with Jesus and are old enough to understand the true meaning of baptism before we baptize them.
WHEN SHOULD I BE BAPTIZED?
● As soon as you have accepted Jesus into your life. "Those who believed...were baptized...that day!" - Acts 2:41 ● As soon as you have decided to receive Jesus into your life, you should take the step of being baptized. There is no reason to delay.
CAN MY FAMILY BE BAPTIZED TOGETHER?
● Yes! If each family member has personally placed his/her trust in Christ for salvation and understands the full the meaning of baptism families are welcome to be baptized at the same time. Children 8 and older who wish to be baptized are asked to meet with our Kid's Director for a pre-baptism conversation. ● It is important to remember that baptism is a personal statement of faith and is best to take this next step as soon as possible.
