What is baptism?
The Bible gives four ways to respond to God’s rescue: faith, confession, repentance, and baptism. Baptism is a Greek word that means “immerse.” When you are baptized, you are immersed in water (Matthew 3:16; John 3:23; Acts 8:38-9; Romans 6:1-49). Baptism is one of the responses to the good news of God’s rescue through the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus. Acts 2:38-39.
Why should I be baptized?
Jesus said that being baptized is part of becoming his disciple. (Matthew 28:19-20). The Bible also teaches that the waters of baptism represent a grave. When you are baptized you are buried in a grave of water and raised from that grave. It is like you are burying your sin and old life and rising to a new and eternal life. In baptism, you are identifying with the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus and seeking to have the full impact of these events on your life. Romans 6:1-4.
When am I ready to be baptized?
Do you understand and trust what Christ did on the cross for you and your sin? Do you want to turn to God with your life and live for Him? Do you see that God loves you and wants to spend eternity with you? Then don’t wait, bring your faith in Jesus Christ and be baptized. You are ready. In the Bible there was no significant gap between putting faith in Jesus and being baptized. Acts 16:30-33; Acts 8:26-40.
If I’m ready, when can I be baptized?
If you have placed your faith in Jesus and are ready to be baptized we will do our best to schedule any day or time that works for you and your friends or family. Just give us a call.
Do I need to be baptized to be part of this church?
We want you to feel at home here whether you are baptized or not. But all of our members have been baptized by immersion. We ask you to make immersion your experience before you become a member. At your baptism, we can also help you with your membership decision.
Do you baptize babies?
We believe children are safe and should not be baptized until they take personal responsibility for their sins by putting their faith in Jesus Christ. But we do dedicate parents.
What does the Bible actually teach about baptism?
We encourage your personal study through these verses. We believe that your decision should be based on what the Bible teaches over what any church teaches. The Bible should be the authority on all issues of faith. Matthew 3:13-16; Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 2:38-41; Acts 8:12-13; Acts 8:34-39; Acts 9:17-19; Acts 10:47-48; Acts 16:13-15; Acts 16:29-33; Acts 22:16; Romans 6:1-5; Galatians 3:26-27; Ephesians 4:4-6; Colossians 2:9-12.
What if I was baptized as a baby or by sprinkling?
We know that believers come to us with infant baptism or sprinkling. We do not want to discount anyone’s spiritual heritage. But we do see in scriptures that people were baptized by immersion when they placed their personal faith in Christ. We ask you to make this same step described in the Bible.