Baptism

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When Christians are baptized, they are submerged under water to identify with the death and burial of Jesus and raised out of the water to identify with His resurrection. 

WHY BE BAPTIZED?

Being baptized shows others that you’ve decided to follow Jesus, and allows them to celebrate this decision with you (Acts 16:31-34).

Baptism doesn’t save a person; it’s a symbol and celebration of salvation (1 Peter 3:21). The power that brought Jesus back to life is the same power Jesus uses to change our lives – and that’s worth getting excited about!

 Those who are baptized are following Jesus’ example and obeying His command.

• “As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, ‘This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.’” —Matthew 3:16–17
• “Then Jesus came to them and said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 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 28:18–20

WHAT IS SIGNIFICANT ABOUT BAPTISM?

Water baptism is a public declaration of three very important things:

• You are a follower of Jesus Christ.
  “Those who accepted his message were baptized.” —Acts 2:41a
• You are beginning a changed life in Christ.
  “We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.” —Romans 6:4
• You are part of a new family.
  “So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.” —Galatians 3:26–27

I HAVE ALREADY BEEN BAPTIZED; SHOULD I BE BAPTIZED AGAIN?

Your baptism should have signified you becoming a follower of Jesus, beginning a changed life, and uniting with a new family. You should also have been baptized in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. If your baptism did not reflect this change of life or you were not baptized in this way, then you should be baptized again.

CAN MY CHILD BE BAPTIZED?

Please speak to someone on the leadership team to help guide you and your child through this important faith decision.

CAN MY INFANT BE BAPTIZED?

We do not practice infant baptism. The Bible teaches that baptism is a public expression of worship symbolizing the new life we have when we follow Jesus. In the Bible we see that Jesus’ parents dedicated him to the Lord (Luke 2:22–40), and he was later baptized as an adult (Matthew 3:16–17).

Some churches do practice “baptism of confirmation” for children. This ceremony is intended to be a commitment between the parents and God on the behalf of the child and is different from the biblical examples of new believers being baptized to publicly profess their faith in Jesus. If you are interested in committing your child to God and making a statement of commitment to raise them for the Lord, we invite you to speak to the pastor about a baby dedication.