Water Baptism

Water Baptism

Why should I be baptized?

And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.”  Mark 16:15-16

And Jesus came 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 of the Son and of the Holy Spirit teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen. Matthew 28:18-20


These scriptures from the Bible tell us of Jesus’ last instructions to His disciples before He ascended to Heaven.  Last instructions are oftentimes some of the most important words someone wants to communicate.
Water baptism is, first and foremost, obedience to the command of Christ Jesus.  It should be done in obedience to God’s Word.  The act itself is an outward sign, or testimony, of an inward work in your life.  You do something when you go down into the water which shows outwardly to other believers, and also to the world, that you are following Jesus with your life.
Water baptism is a living picture you paint in your life of what Jesus did in His death, burial and resurrection.  After you have been baptized, you will be able to relate, in a sense, to what He has done for you by having symbolically done it for yourself.

There is also an antitype which now saves us— baptism (not the removal of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God), through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.  1 Peter 3:21

How should I be baptized?

When He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him.  Matthew 3:16

So he commanded the chariot to stand still.  And both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water, and he baptized him.  Now when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught Philip away…  Acts 8:38-39a

Webster defines bury as “to hide or to cover.”  Only immersion fulfills this definition.  The definition of the Greek word used here (baptizo) is “to make whelmed. (i.e., fully wet).”  You need to be fully immersed.

When should I be baptized?

Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them.  Acts 2:41

But when they believed Philip as he preached the things concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, both men and women were baptized.  Acts 8:12

Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house.  And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their stripes.  And immediately he and all his family were baptized.  Acts 16:32-33

Water baptism should be the first step of faith you take after being born again.  It is a decision of faith on your part to live for Jesus the rest of your life.
You should be water baptized as soon as you can after you have been saved.  Don’t put it off.  If you have been saved for some time — one year, twenty years, or even more — and you have not yet been baptized, you still need to follow the Lord’s command in this.
Remember that His instructions to you have not changed.  You will be blessed as you follow the Lord’s instruction, no matter how long it has been since you received salvation.

Water Baptism Guidelines

“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”  Matthew 28:19
  • Those desiring to be baptized in water must be at least 12 years of age with a clear understanding of personal salvation.  Those under this age desiring baptism must have the consent of a parent or a pastor.
  • Water baptism is offered the first weekend of every month at all three services.
Baptism Preparation and Procedures
  1. Read the printed material and listen to the audio teaching.
  2. Sign up on the registration page or call the church office (658-8800).
  3. Bring a gym bag or duffel bag with the clothes you are going to change into for water baptism.
  4. You will be getting wet; therefore, you will want to change back into the clothes you wore to church.
  5. Bring a towel with which to dry yourself.
  6. Bring any appropriate personal items for after baptism (hair dryer, make-up, etc.).
  7. Please arrive 15 minutes early to meet with the pastor who will be baptizing you.
  8. INVITE FAMILY AND FRIENDS TO SHARE IN THE CELEBRATION OF YOUR CHRISTIAN FAITH THROUGH BAPTISM.
MEN:  Wear a T-shirt, and jeans or slacks.
WOMEN:  Wear dark colored shirt, and dark colored jeans or slacks.
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