Baptism

We’re so excited you are interested in Baptism!

We’ve helped many people take the step of baptism and share their stories. We'd love to walk with you and guide you as you prepare to take this next step in your faith journey. Please read the Water Baptism Scriptures and then fill out the Water Baptism application to let us know you are interested and we will contact you soon to discuss making this happen.

Mark 1:4, Luke 3:3

“For John came and began to baptize men in the desert, proclaiming baptism as the mark of a complete change of heart and of the forgiveness of sins.” “He went into the whole country round about the Jordan proclaiming baptism as a mark of a complete change of heart and of the forgiveness of sins.” Baptism by immersion symbolized repentance. It isn’t that baptism was an act that (created) forgiveness but an act that symbolized what God had done already.

Mark 16:16

“He who believes it and is baptized will be saved, but he who disbelieves it will be condemned”. A mark of Christianity is baptism by immersion. Again, baptism is not part of salvation. Salvation is through faith in the death of Christ. It is an act of obedience and a statement of our decision to submit to Christ’s teachings.

Acts 19:4

“John’s baptism was a baptism to show a change of heart,” Paul explained, “but he always told the people that they must believe in the one who should come after him, that is, in Jesus.” Baptism is a proclamation to a watching world. I have accepted Christ. I am identifying with Him.

Romans 6:3-7

“Have you forgotten that all of us who were baptized into Jesus Christ were, by that very action, sharing in His death? We were dead and buried with Him in baptism, so that just as He was raised from the dead by that splendid revelation of the Father’s power so we too might rise to life on a new plane altogether. If we have, as it were, shared His death, we shall also share in His resurrection. Let us never forget that our old selves died with Him on the cross that the tyranny of sin over us might be broken-for a dead man can safely be said to be free from the power of sin”. A beautiful portrayal of our identification with Christ. When we are lowered into the water, we identify with being lowered into the grave. We identify with Christ’s death. And because of His death, our old nature can die in terms of its power to dictate our thoughts, actions, or eternity. Then we rise identifying with Christ in His resurrection.

Matthew 3:13-17

“Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. But John tried to prevent him. “I need you to baptize me”, he said. “Surely you do not come to me?” But Jesus replied, “It is right for us to meet all the Law’s demands-let it be so now.” Jesus’ baptism is an example for us.

Acts 2:38

“Peter told them, “You must repent and every one of you must be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ, so that you may have your sins forgiven and receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” “Repent and be baptized” is a command. Therefore, our being baptized is obedience.

Acts 18:8

“Crispus, the president of the synagogue, became a believer in the Lord, with all his household, and many of the Corinthians who heard the message believed and were baptized.” Water baptism follows conversion and declares that you wish to be a follower of Jesus Christ. It is not related to your level of spiritual growth. It is a witness to others of your faith, an initial step after accepting Jesus Christ as Saviour. It’s a declaration that you have begun a new life. So, don’t wait until you understand the Bible better or have your struggles all under control. It’s a starting point.

Acts 19:5-6

“When these men heard this they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus, and then, when Paul had laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them and they began to speak with tongues and the inspiration of prophets.”

Mark 1:9-11

“It was in those days that Jesus arrived from the Galilean village of Nazareth and was baptized by John in the Jordan. All at once, as He came up out of the water, He saw the heavens split open, and the Spirit coming down upon Him like a dove. A voice came out of Heaven, saying, “You are my dearly-beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased!” In both of these teachings by Paul regarding Jesus’ baptism there is a somewhat mystical connection to water baptism and the Holy Spirit.

Acts 22:14-16

“The God of our fathers, he went on, has chosen you to know His will, to see the Righteous One, to hear words from His own lips, for you will be His witness before all men of what you have seen and heard. And now what are you waiting for? Get up and be baptized! Be clean from your sins as you call on His name.” Just as God spoke clearly and instructed Paul and the early church, these 3 verses apply to us today. Verse 16 - “And now what are you waiting for? Get up and be baptized and wash your sins away, calling on His name.”