BAPTISM
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What does the word “baptize” mean?
It means “to plunge, to immerse.“
This is why we baptize by immersion; that is, the entire body is immersed in water.
WHEN IS THE NEXT BAPTISM?
Be baptized this year!
To learn more or ask questions about the next baptism service, contact us here
WHO SHOULD GET BAPTIZED?
Anyone who has made the decision to eagerly follow Jesus Christ as their Lord (complete Authority) and Savior (ultimate Redeemer) is encouraged to get baptized.
Romans 10:9 (NKJV)
9 that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.
Acts 2:36-41(NKJV)
36 “Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.”
37 Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?”
38 Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.”
40 And with many other words he testified and exhorted them, saying, “Be saved from this perverse generation.” 41 Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them.
WHY SHOULD I GET BAPTIZED?
Actions speak louder than words. And being baptized is a symbolic action that boldly declares, “I worship and serve Jesus Christ!” Baptism furthers my relationship with the Holy Spirit.
Scripture states that we must be born again in order that we receive the gift of the holy spirit. We must be committed to a new life in christ, this is when the real transformation begins.
Our relationship is deepened through the act of baptism
What’s amazing about the Holy Spirit is how we are drawn to it before we ever choose to become a christian, but the act of baptism takes us one step closer to a relationship with the holy spirit and continues to grow throughout our Christian walk.
It is also a commandment of the Lord Jesus Christ.
“Go ye therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit…” Matthew 28:19 (NASB).
1 Peter 3:20-22 (NIV)
20 to those who were disobedient long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built. In it only a few people, eight in all, were saved through water, 21 and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also—not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a clear conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ, 22 who has gone into heaven and is at God’s right hand—with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him.
CAN I STILL GO TO HEAVEN IF I DON’T GET BAPTIZED?
Absolutely. Confessing your sins to God and proclaiming Jesus as your Lord and Savior are what get you into Heaven.
Baptism is simply the next step in your Christian faith. Getting baptized is like wearing a wedding ring – it’s the outside symbol of the commitment you made in your heart. (Romans 10:9)
Romans 10:9 (NKJV)
9 that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.
WHERE IS WATER BAPTISM FOUND IN THE BIBLE?
As his name implies, John the Baptist went about calling people to repentance and baptizing them in order to prepare the way for the coming of his cousin Jesus.
We see in Mark 1 and Matthew 3 that Jesus was baptized in the Jordan River by John before he ever began His ministry.
Mark 1:9-11
9 One day Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee, and John baptized him in the Jordan River. 10 As Jesus came up out of the water, he saw the heavens splitting apart and the Holy Spirit descending on him like a dove. 11 And a voice from heaven said, “You are my dearly loved Son, and you bring me great joy.”
12 The Spirit then compelled Jesus to go into the wilderness, 13 where he was tempted by Satan for forty days. He was out among the wild animals, and angels took care of him.
14 Later on, after John was arrested, Jesus went into Galilee, where he preached God’s Good News. 15 “The time promised by God has come at last!” he announced. “The Kingdom of God is near! Repent of your sins and believe the Good News!”
Later in Acts 8:26-39, we read an account of Philip baptizing a man that the Spirit had led him to speak to. These are just a few examples, but obviously, there is a Biblical backing for baptism.
DO I HAVE TO BE FULLY IMMERSED UNDERWATER?
Yes. Colossians 2:12 states that baptism symbolizes our being buried with Christ, dying in the flesh (going underwater) and then being raised with Him as we are born again (coming up out of the water). This also means we do not baptize babies.
Colossians 2:12-15 (NIV)
12 having been buried with Him in baptism, in which you were also raised with Him through your faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead.
13 When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins,
14 having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; He has taken it away, nailing it to the cross. 15 And having disarmed the powers and authorities, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.