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BAPTISM

Take the Next Step in Your Faith

INTERESTED IN GETTING BAPTIZED?

Our next Baptism Sunday is Sunday, March 31 (Easter!) during the 9am or 10:30am service. Follow the steps below if you'd like to be baptized this day.


We are so excited that you've decided to take this next step in your spiritual journey! Here is what you should do:

  1. Take our "Baptism Class" by watching the following 5 short video modules. We hope they give you a better theological understanding of what baptism is and also make sure you are getting baptized for the right reasons.
  2. After you finish all of the modules, fill out a questionnaire found near the bottom of this page. Once you've filled out the questionnaire, one of our pastors will give you a call to connect with you and answer any questions you might have.
  3. Please watch the videos and fill out the questionnaire. If you miss this deadline, you are welcome to still take the class and we can have you join our next Baptism Service.
Introduction and Welcome
Module 1- Why be Baptized?

JESUS COMMANDS BAPTISM.


MATTHEW 28:18-20

"And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”


Jesus' command to His disciples was that they “make disciples”. 


Making disciples involved two primary activities:

  1. Baptizing
  2. Teaching


THE BIBLE RECORDS THAT PEOPLE WERE BAPTIZED AFTER PROFESSING FAITH IN CHRIST.

ACTS 16:31-33

"And he called for lights and rushed in, and trembling with fear he fell down before Paul and Silas, and after he brought them out, he said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” They said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.”And they spoke the word of the Lord to him together with all who were in his house. And he took them that very hour of the night and washed their wounds, and immediately he was baptized, he and all his household."


This is the account of a jailer who was on guard when God supernaturally freed Paul, timothy and Silas from prison. The jailer was about to kill himself, when Paul intervened. Rather than leaving, Paul explained the Gospel to the man. Notice that as soon as this man and his family professed faith in Christ, they were baptized.  


ACTS 8:36-38

"As they went along the road they came to some water; and the eunuch said, “Look! Water! What prevents me from being baptized?” And he (Philip) ordered the chariot to stop; and they both went down into the water, Philip as well as the eunuch, and he baptized him."


An angel of the Lord sent Philip to explain the Gospel to an Ethiopian eunuch. When this man professed faith in Christ, Phillip immediately baptized him. 

Module 2- What is Baptism?

Water baptism is a visual and symbolic demonstration of a person’s union with Christ in the likeness of His death and resurrection. It signifies that a person’s former way of life has been put to death and depicts a release from the mastery of sin.


As a symbol, baptism illustrates a number of significant realities:

  1. Christ’s death and resurrection.
  2. The disciple’s union with Christ in His death and resurrection.
  3. The new life in which a disciple walks.
  4. Cleansing and washing away of sin.


What is Baptism Not?

BAPTISM IS NOT A MEANS OF SALVATION.


Ephesians 2:8-9

"For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. No work that we do, including baptism, earns us our salvation. Our salvation is a gift from God."  


BAPTISM DOES NOT WASH AWAY OUR SIN.  


1 John 1:7

"...and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin."


The Bible teaches that the blood of Jesus, not baptism, washes away our sin.  


_______________________________

FOR FURTHER CONSIDERATION:


  • Jesus taught that faith alone, and not baptism, saves us. Luke 7:50, John 3:16, 6:28-29, 6:40
  • Paul taught that faith alone, and not baptism, saves us. Romans 10:9-10
  • John taught that faith alone, and not baptism, saves us. 1 John 5:11-13
  • God’s Spirit came upon new Gentile believers before being baptized. Acts 10:44-48, 11:15-17
  • People who heard and believed by the inner call of God’s Spirit were then baptized. Acts 16:14-15, 18:8
Closing