baptism

Baptism is an opportunity for you to tell the world, “I’m a follower of Jesus.” Baptism is an important step of faith for every Christian. It is a public profession of your faith and an outward sign of the inward spiritual transformation you have experienced because of Jesus in your life.

Below are the most common questions and answers people have about being baptized

Baptism is an important symbol of the new life that is created when someone becomes a follower of Jesus.  It illustrates Christ's burial and resurrection. (1 Corinthians 15:3-4) (Colossians 2:12)

It also illustrates my new life as a Christian. (2 Corinthians 5:17) (Romans 6:4)

Baptism does not make you a believer - it shows that you already believe.  Baptism does not "save" you, only your faith in Christ does that.  Baptism is like a wedding ring - it's the outward symbol of the commitment you make in your heart.

Every person who believes in Christ should be baptized. (Acts 2:41) (Acts 8:13) (Acts 8:12)

Some people say - "Once I get my spiritual act together, then I'll do it."  "Let me get on track with God first."  This is a complete misunderstanding of baptism.  Baptism is not about somebody who has already become Christ-like.  It's about beginning the process. You don't have to have your whole life together.  That's the whole point.  This is about starting; this is about the beginning.  That's all.

Jesus didn't say - "Come to me you have gotten all of your act together."  No- He said, "Come unto me all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest."

If everybody waited until they got their act together to get baptized, nobody would ever get baptized.  This isn't about reaching a certain spiritual level.  It's about the decision you have made to begin.  It's a reflection of the life that you are wanting to live.  Not the one you have lived or the one you are living now.

People who get baptized are people who have miles to go in terms of understanding all of the ins and outs of their Christian faith.  They still have questions they can't answer.  They've got miles to go in applying their faith into their marriages, their jobs, their finances, and their habits.  But that doesn't matter.  What matters is that they cross the lined and have begun following Jesus.  They've crossed the line of faith. That's what makes you ready for baptism.

You should be baptized as soon as you believe. (Acts 2:41) (Acts 8:35-38)  There is no reason to delay.  As soon as you have decided to receive Christ in to your life, you can and should be baptized.  If you wait until you are "perfect", you'll never feel good enough!

Some people say - Why hurry - there's no rush.  There's no urgency, no need to do it right away.  It can wait.  The problem is that throughout the Bible, the sequence is always the same.  Hear, believe and then be  baptized.  Hear, believe, be baptized.  In fact, one day, thousands made a decision for Christ and the Bible says that those who believed were baptized that day, which is why throughout the Bible there is never a need for delay at all.  You should be baptized as soon as you believe.  

Another excuse is that I've delayed so long that there's been too much time between my decision for Christ and getting baptized.  Because you have been a Christian for maybe 5,10,15, 20, 30 years.  Don't let pride get in the way of this important next step of obedience that will lead the way to God's blessing in your life.

Don't let any more time go by.  And by the way - you will not be alone.  There are several people who have been Christians for a while and are just now taking this step.  So, you are not out of place at all.  If anything, you are going to be looked at with great admiration you are showing how seriously you are taking your spiritual commitments.  And you are going to be doing this for God.  You are going to be doing this out of obedience no matter what.

We baptize by immersion because Jesus was baptized that way. (Matthew 3:16)  Every baptism in the Bible was by immersion. (Acts 8:38-39)  and the Greek word for baptize means to immerse or dip under water.

At the beginning of the service, Pastor Ron will explain the meaning of baptism.  You will wait for your turn to be baptized.  The Pastor will introduce you, briefly lower you just under the water and raise you up above the water.  You can then leave the water, dry off, and watch the others who are being baptized.  Later you will receive your baptism certificate.  We encourage you to invite all of your friends and relatives to attend your baptism.

Both men and women should wear shorts and a dark t-shirt.  Women may wear a swimsuit under their shorts and t-shirt.  Bring a change of clothes, a towel, and a plastic bag

There are those who would want to wait so they could be baptized with their family members.  They may have seen mom's and dad's being baptized with their children, or husbands and wives being baptized together.  That does happen, and it is great!  So, maybe you are waiting for your younger kids to get older so that you can do it with them when they get old enough.  Maybe you are waiting for your spouse to make a spiritual decision that you've already made, and you want to wait until they are with you so that you can be baptized together.  That's not a good reason to wait.  Baptism is not about your family.  It's not about your children. It's not about your spouse.  It's a step of obedience between you and God. That's what its about.  Who knows, maybe the key to your loved one saying "YES" to Jesus is your courage to take the step and be baptized first.