BAPTISM FAQ

What is Baptism?

In New Testament times, baptism followed repentance and faith. Peter invited his listeners on the day of Pentecost to “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins” (Acts 2:38). Three thousand people responded to the invitation, and “those who accepted his message were baptized” (Acts 2:41).

When the apostles took the gospel across the Roman Empire from Jerusalem, new churches were planted, and believers were baptized soon after they turned away from sin and put their trust in Christ for salvation. Acts 18:8 says, “Many of the Corinthians who heard [Paul] believed and were baptized.”

We follow the same practice of baptism subsequent to conversion to Christ. Those who have repented of sin and put their faith in Jesus for eternal life are encouraged to take this step of obedience.

What Does Baptism Mean?

In early times baptisms were held in public places where family and friends could gather. This public witness marked the believer as a follower of Christ. Today, baptisms often take place in our church buildings for the sake of convenience, but a public statement still is a part of the meaning. The person who is baptized identifies with Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.

The apostle Paul explained that baptism also symbolizes the believer’s union with Christ: “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” (Romans 6:3-4).

Immersion in the baptismal waters symbolizes the end of the old way of life. Coming up out of the baptismal waters pictures the new life found in Christ. The person who was previously dead in sin has been made spiritually alive by the same power that raised up Jesus from the grave. United with Him, the believer is released from the power of sin in order to obey God. Paul portrays this life change as putting on new clothes: “for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ” (Galatians 3:27).

Water baptism identifies a person as a disciple of Christ and celebrates the passage from an old life into a new life in Christ. Simply stated, it is an outward sign of an inward change.

How Should You Be Baptized?

The Bible word for “baptize” means to “immerse, douse, or saturate.” In the two full descriptions of baptism found in the New Testament, individuals were immersed in water. Jesus was baptized by John in the Jordan River to identify Himself as God’s Son: “As soon as He was baptized, [He] went up out of the water” (Matthew 3:16).

The apostle Philip baptized the Ethiopian by going down into a body of water and coming up with him (Acts 8:38–39). In both of these examples, a large enough quantity of water was required to immerse the person.

Because of the meaning of the word baptize and the mode of the first baptisms, we practice baptism by immersion.

Am I spiritually ready to get baptized?

We believe baptism is for every person who has received, through faith in Jesus Christ and his atoning death, forgiveness from sin and the gift of eternal life.

Do you baptize infants?

Though the Bible does not state a minimum age at which a person may be baptized, a believer should be old enough to understand the significance of baptism. Thus, we do not baptize infants but encourage all who have accepted Christ to get baptized. Baptism is not required to receive God’s salvation. However, we encourage all who have trusted in Christ for eternal life to be baptized as a step of obedience.

What’s next after filling out the form?

A pastor will reach out to you and walk through any questions you might have. Then, you’ll prepare 2-3 minute testimony to be recorded and shared via video. We’ll schedule a time for you to have the testimony prepared and recorded at church. The testimony will then be played prior to your baptism. You’ll also be prepared for the day of by the pastor baptizing you.

Can I bring friends and family?

Absolutely! Please bring any and all friends and family that you’d like celebrate with. This is a great opportunity to share what God has done in your life and has often inspired others to pursue God and get baptized themselves.

Some answers adapted from https://www.cmalliance.org/about/beliefs/perspectives/baptism