Choosing to get baptized is a significant decision! We are ALL invited to receive God’s gift of forgiveness, grace, and love - and when we trust our lives to Jesus, we follow His example through baptism.
baptism
your first step to following
baptism bottles
We are all about numbers! We say that without any shame. We know that every number has a name, every name has a story, and every story matters to God. That's why we have what we call our "Baptism Bottles." Each bottle represents someone who has made Jesus Savior of their life and been baptized through immersion.
We fill up two bottles from the baptistry, seal them with wax, and put the date and name on each. One bottle is taken home to remind them of the commitment they made to Christ and the day they surrendered their life to Jesus. The second bottle is put out on the shelves to encourage and remind people that God is changing hearts and lives. It's a great opportunity for people in the congregation to stop and pray for the different names on those bottles.
When you join us for worship, please stop by and say a prayer of encouragement for those who've taken this step with Jesus!
where do i start?
It's easy...
If you're walking in to a Sunday morning service, find someone with a yellow name tag and tell them!! No classes, no sign up sheets, just baptism! If you're moved in the moment, whoever is speaking will literally invite you to come forward to meet with him or an elder down front. Yes, we do realize this is super old-school, but it is so encouraging and powerful. Face to face not your style? No problem. Feel free to get started by sending us an email!
What we believe about baptism
Why should I be baptized?
1) To follow the example of Jesus. “At that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Gailee and was baptized by John in the Jordan.” (Mark 1:9)
2) Because Christ commanded it. Jesus taught, “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”(Matthew 28:19-20)
3) It moves you from your old life to your new life. “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. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.” (Acts 2:38-39)
“And now what are you waiting for? Get up, be baptized and wash your sins away, calling on his name.” (Acts 22:16) “Jesus replied, ‘Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.’ ‘How can someone be born when they are old?’ Nicodemus asked. ‘Surely they cannot enter a second time into their mother’s womb to be born!’ Jesus answered, ‘Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit.’” (John 3:3-5)
What is the Meaning of Baptism?
It illustrates Christ's death, burial and resurrection. “For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day...” (1 Corinthians 15:3–4)
“Having been buried with him in baptism and raised with him through your faith in the power of God, who raised him from the dead.” (Colossians 2:12)
“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. For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly also be united with him in a resurrection like his. For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin...” (Romans 6:4-6)
Why Be Baptized By Immersion?
1) Because Jesus was baptized that way.
“As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water.” (Matthew 3:16a)
“As Jesus was coming up out of the water...” (Mark 1:10)
2) Every Baptism in the Bible was by immersion. (for example) “Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and Philip baptized him. When they came up out of the water...” (Acts 8:38–39)
3) The word “baptize” means “to dip or immerse”.
4) It best symbolized a burial and resurrection. “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.” (Romans 6:3–4)
Who Should Be Baptized?
Every person who believes in Jesus should be baptized. Baptism is a great next step for anyone who wants to become a follower of Jesus. "Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.” (Acts 2:41)
“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit...” (Matthew 28:19)
When Should I Be Baptized?
As soon as possible. “But when they believed Philip as he preached the good news of the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.” (Acts 8:12)
Can I Start Serving Before I Get Baptized?
If you have not yet been baptized by immersion, baptism is your next step. However, you do not have to wait until you are baptized to begin serving. We want you to schedule your baptism, but we also want you to get plugged in and begin serving.
Can I Get Baptized If I Have Already Been Baptized?
If you have not been baptized by immersion since deciding to follow Jesus, your next step is baptism. If you have been baptized since deciding to follow Jesus, there is no need to be baptized again.
What Do I Wear?
Realistically, we have everything you need here, but if you'd like, dress in clothes you don’t mind getting wet! You should wear a dark shirt and shorts. Remember to bring a change of clothes to wear home. There are changing rooms available for you to change in. Don't worry about a towel or hair dryer, we provide those for you.