What we believe about baptism...

I. WHY BE BAPTIZED?

1. Because you want to follow Christ's example.
"At that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan." Mark 1:9

2. Because Christ 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. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." Matthew 28:19-20

3. Because it shows you are a believer.
"...and many of the Corinthians who heard him believed and were baptized." Acts 18:8

4. Because obeying Christ's command shows you know Him.
"We know that we have come to know him if we obey his commands." 1 John 2:3

II. WHAT IS THE MEANING OF BAPTISM?

1. It is a symbol of Christ's burial and resurrection.
"...that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures." 1 Corinthians 15:3,4

"..having been buried with him in baptism and raised with him through your faith in the power of God, who raised him from the dead." Colossians 2:12

2. It is a symbol of your new life as a Christ Follower.
"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!" 2 Corinthians 5:17

"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

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. Baptism is like a wedding ring – it's the outward symbol of the commitment you made in your heart.

"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God--not by works, so that no one can boast." Ephesians 2:8,9

III. HOW ARE WE TO BE BAPTIZED?

1. Like Jesus was baptized – by being immersed in water.
"As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water..." Matthew 3:16

2. Every baptism in the Bible was by immersion under water.
(Example) "...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." Acts 8:38,39

3. The word "Baptize" literally means "to dip under water.
The Greek word "baptizo" means to immerse or dip under water.

4. It is the best way to picture a burial and resurrection.
The founders of denominations agree:

Martin Luther... "I would have those who are to be baptized to be entirely immersed, as the word imports and the mystery signifies."

John Calvin... "The word 'baptize' signifies to immerse. It is certain that immersion was the practice of the ancient church."

John Wesley... "Buried with Him, alluding to baptizing by immersion according to the custom of the first church."

IV. WHO SHOULD BE BAPTIZED?

1. Every person who has made the decision to believe in Christ.

"Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day." Acts 2:41

"But when they believed Philip as he preached the good news of the kingdom of God 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

2. The one requirement for baptism is belief in Christ!

We do not baptize children until they are old enough to understand and believe.

V. WHEN ARE WE TO BE BAPTIZED?

1. As soon as you have believed! You shouldn't delay.

"Those who accepted his message were baptized,...that day!" Acts 2:41

"As they traveled along the road, they came to some water and the eunuch said, "Look, here is water. Why shouldn't I be baptized?" And he gave orders to stop the chariot. Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and Philip baptized him." Acts 8:36-38

2. There is no reason to delay. As soon as a person decides to believe in Christ, he can and should be baptized.

VI. CAN MY FAMILY BE BAPTIZED TOGETHER?

Yes! If each family member understands fully the meaning of baptism, and each one has personally placed his/her trust in Christ for salvation, we encourage families to be baptized at the same time. It is a wonderful expression of commitment.

VII. WILL I HAVE TO SAY ANYTHING?
No. At the beginning of the baptism service, the pastor will briefly explain the meaning of baptism. You will wait at the edge of the water for your turn to be baptized. The pastor will introduce you, briefly lower you just under the water, and then you will leave the water, dry off, and watch with the others.

GOD WILL BLESS YOU AS YOU DEMONSTRATE YOUR FAITH IN CHRIST!