What is Baptism?
Baptism, is the outward expression, of the faith I have in Jesus on the inside! My baptism by immersion (in water) outwardly demonstrates that the old way of life has ended, and a new life of faith in Jesus Christ has started.
II Corinthians 5:17
Therefore if any man [be] in Christ, [he is] a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
Baptism is important because it provides a visual testimony—a public declaration to the world—that symbolically identifies the new believer with the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Many reasons
to be Baptized...
Baptism is an expression of saving faith.
Like a stamp of validation, baptism represents our salvation experience and the magnificent work of Jesus Christ in dying for our sins and rising for our justification:
Colossians 2:12
Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with [him] through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.
Baptism is God-ordained and commanded by Jesus.
Baptism is an integral part of Christian discipleship and is meant to be an ongoing practice of the church. As part of His Great Commission to the church, Jesus gave these instructions:
Matthew 28:19–20
Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, [even] unto the end of the world. Amen.
Baptism is an act of obedience to our Savior, expressing our desire to please God.
The word Christian means “Christ-follower.” Since Christ called us to baptism and set the example by being baptized Himself, neglecting to be baptized is disobedience to the command of Christ.
Matthew 3:16
And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him:
Baptism unites us with Jesus Christ by identifying us with His death, burial & resurrection.
When we repent of our sins and come to faith in Jesus Christ, baptism testifies of our union with Him. Likewise, baptism represents our death to the old life of sin and our new birth into resurrection life and freedom from bondage to sin.
Romans 6:3-4
Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
Romans 6:5-7
For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also [in the likeness] of [his] resurrection: Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with [him], that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. For he that is dead is freed from sin.
Baptism also identifies us with the body of Christ
It is an emblem that says we now belong to Jesus Christ and His people.
I Corinthians 12:12-13
For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also [is] Christ. 13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether [we be] Jews or Gentiles, whether [we be] bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.
Galatians 3:26-27
For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. 27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
How to Take the Next Step?
If you have already placed your faith in Jesus Christ as your savior then Baptism is for you! Call our Pastor if you would like to set up a time to discuss your future Baptism. Pray that God would help you to keep this decision and that your example would encourage others to do the same.
If you would like to hear a clear presentation of the Gospel, call our Pastor as well to set up an opportunity to hear the Gospel Story at a time that works best for you... then get Baptized!