We believe that baptism is the first step of obedience for every person who has accepted Christ as his or her Savior. Here are a few questions we answer often about baptism:
1. What is baptism?
Being baptized shows others that you’ve decided to follow Jesus, and allows them to celebrate this decision with you (Acts 16:31-34). You are "crucified" (standing upright in water), you are "buried" (immersed into the water), and you are "resurrected into life" (raised out of the water). Water baptism then, is a picture of spiritual baptism as defined in Rom. 6:3-5 and 1 Corinthians 12:13. It is the outward testimony of the believer's inward faith. A sinner is saved the moment he places his faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Baptism is a visible testimony to that faith
2. Why should I be baptized?
Jesus instructs us to be baptized and set the example by being baptized Himself of John. (Matthew 28:19-20, Mark 1:9). Obedience in baptism shows we believe and follow Him. (1 John 2:3). Because Jesus went public about His love for us, we can go public about our love for Him. Being baptized shows that we turn away from a life of sin and turn toward Jesus, the only one who can truly change us (Acts 2:38-41).
3. When is the best time to be baptized?
For each one who decides to follow Jesus, baptism is their next step. Anyone who commits his or her life to following Jesus is ready to be baptized (Acts 8:12).
4. What’s the difference between immersing, sprinkling and other ways of baptizing?
Baptisms in the Bible were by immersion. The original word for baptism most often referred to being immersed or submerged in water. Jesus was baptized by being immersed in the water and rising out of it (Matthew 3:16, Mark 1:10). Submersion in the water symbolizes the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus (1 Corinthians 15:3-4). Being submersed underwater represents our death to sin and old way of life, and being raised out of the water is a picture of how Jesus raises us to new life and a fresh start in Him (Romans 6:3-5).
5. Do I need to be baptized again?
If you haven’t been baptized by immersion since you decided to follow Jesus, we want to help you take your next step of being baptized. Once you’ve taken that step, there’s no need to be baptized again.
Is baptism your next step?
Are you interested in being baptized? Please fill out the form and someone will contact you.