When

Next baptisms - February 25-26, 2012, March 17-18, 2012
Be in Conference Room 30 minutes before service
  • Bring change of clothes, bag for wet clothes, and a towel

Pick up a baptism application at Info Center A or the Receptionist Office at Door 5,
or you can download it here. You will be contacted with further information.

Why baptism?

  • It’s an act of obedience.
  • It’s a public act affirming your private commitment to Christ.
  • It’s a requirement for church membership.
Christian baptism is, according to the Bible, an outward testimony of what has occurred inwardly in a believer’s life. Jesus Christ commands new believers to get baptized as a picture of their new life in Christ.
Some people think they have to be baptized to get to heaven. But the Bible says we cannot get to heaven by doing things, such as being baptized. Jesus did it all! Jesus lived a perfect life, died on the cross for sin, and rose from the dead. We must trust in Jesus alone, not our own good works, to save us.

Importance

Although baptism cannot save you, baptism is important. If you have trusted in the Lord Jesus to become a Christian, Jesus commands you to get baptized (Matthew 28:19). Baptize means “to dip under water.” A pastor dips a believer under the water and then raises him out of the water a moment later.
Going down under the water is a picture of Jesus’ death and burial for sin. Coming back out of the water is a picture of Jesus’ resurrection from the dead.

Baptism shows a believer is united with Jesus in His death and resurrection. Because Jesus died and rose to conquer sin, at salvation a believer dies to his old, sinful self and is raised to new life in Christ. Baptism is a picture of what happens to a believer at salvation.

Obedience

A new Christian should want to obey the Lord Jesus by being baptized. If you have trusted in Jesus, you can ask your parents and your pastor about baptism. Some churches baptize babies, before they are old enough to trust in Jesus. Some parents want their baby baptized to show that they will raise their child to follow Jesus. The important thing to know is that just because a person is baptized as a baby does not mean that person is going to heaven. Baptism does not save from sin. Only Jesus saves!

Baptism shows everyone who watches that a believer has been joined with Jesus. Since Jesus conquered sin, the believer dies to the old way of life, and God gives him new life to follow Jesus. Baptism is a picture of how Jesus saves believers from death to life!

"Or don't you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? 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. If we have been united with Him like this in His death, we will certainly also be united with Him in His resurrection" (Romans 6:3-5).

"Peter replied, 'Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit" (Acts 2:38).

"Those who accepted his message were baptized…" (Acts 2:41).

For more information, check out the Baptism FAQ page!

Questions or concerns? Call the church office 937.898.8811 or email Skip Lloyd