Baptism is an exciting time in the life of a follower of Jesus! We’re glad you’re interested in taking this important step. Below is some information that will be helpful to you as you prepare for baptism:
What is baptism?
Baptism is an outward expression of an inward change. It’s sharing publicly what’s happened to you personally as you’ve put your hope in Jesus. It’s about going public about your faith in Jesus. It’s about communicating to the world your heart-felt commitment to following Him. It’s also a celebration as we focus on what Jesus has done in and through your life as you’ve put your hope in Him! Because of this, and because the New Testament has so much to say about it, we believe that baptism is an important step of obedience for EVERY follower of Jesus. (Acts 16:31-34).
Specifically, the act of baptism (being immersed in water) illustrates to important truths:
• Baptism illustrates Jesus Christ’s burial and resurrection.
"Christ died for our sins... He was buried... and He rose again." -1 Corinthians 15:3-4
"For when you were baptized, you were buried with Christ, and in baptism you were also raised with Christ." - Colossians 2:12
• Baptism illustrates our new life as a follower of Christ.
“By our baptism then, we were buried with Him and shared His death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead... so also we may live a new life!" - Romans 6:4
“If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation the old has gone, the new has come.” – 2 Corinthians 5:17
Baptism does not save a person. It’s a symbol of how Jesus saved us when we put our hope in Him (1 Peter 3:21). It’s like wedding bands that married couples wear: It doesn’t make the couple married, but it’s a symbol that they are, in fact, married. Simply put, baptism is an act of obedience that shows to others that we are going “all in” in following Jesus.
Who should be baptized?
The Bible is clear: anyone who has put their hope in Jesus! Anyone who commits their life to following Jesus is ready to be baptized (Acts 8:12).
What is baptism?
Baptism is an outward expression of an inward change. It’s sharing publicly what’s happened to you personally as you’ve put your hope in Jesus. It’s about going public about your faith in Jesus. It’s about communicating to the world your heart-felt commitment to following Him. It’s also a celebration as we focus on what Jesus has done in and through your life as you’ve put your hope in Him! Because of this, and because the New Testament has so much to say about it, we believe that baptism is an important step of obedience for EVERY follower of Jesus. (Acts 16:31-34).
Specifically, the act of baptism (being immersed in water) illustrates to important truths:
• Baptism illustrates Jesus Christ’s burial and resurrection.
"Christ died for our sins... He was buried... and He rose again." -1 Corinthians 15:3-4
"For when you were baptized, you were buried with Christ, and in baptism you were also raised with Christ." - Colossians 2:12
• Baptism illustrates our new life as a follower of Christ.
“By our baptism then, we were buried with Him and shared His death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead... so also we may live a new life!" - Romans 6:4
“If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation the old has gone, the new has come.” – 2 Corinthians 5:17
Baptism does not save a person. It’s a symbol of how Jesus saved us when we put our hope in Him (1 Peter 3:21). It’s like wedding bands that married couples wear: It doesn’t make the couple married, but it’s a symbol that they are, in fact, married. Simply put, baptism is an act of obedience that shows to others that we are going “all in” in following Jesus.
Who should be baptized?
The Bible is clear: anyone who has put their hope in Jesus! Anyone who commits their life to following Jesus is ready to be baptized (Acts 8:12).
What do I need to do to get ready to be baptized?
Every person being baptized should be prepared to briefly share your “story” of how you came to follow Jesus and the difference He’s made in your life AND why you’re getting baptized (2-5 minutes).
A simple way to do this is to write a few sentences about each of the following areas: What your life was like BEFORE you followed Jesus, HOW you came to follow Jesus, how He’s CHANGED your life, and why you want to be baptized.
Write your story out and be prepared to read it or have it read by someone else.
• Ladies should wear a bathing suit under shorts and a shirt (dark colors).
• Men should wear shorts (or bathing suit) and a shirt (dark colors).
• Bring a towel and a change of clothes, if desired.
Every person being baptized should be prepared to briefly share your “story” of how you came to follow Jesus and the difference He’s made in your life AND why you’re getting baptized (2-5 minutes).
A simple way to do this is to write a few sentences about each of the following areas: What your life was like BEFORE you followed Jesus, HOW you came to follow Jesus, how He’s CHANGED your life, and why you want to be baptized.
Write your story out and be prepared to read it or have it read by someone else.
• Ladies should wear a bathing suit under shorts and a shirt (dark colors).
• Men should wear shorts (or bathing suit) and a shirt (dark colors).
• Bring a towel and a change of clothes, if desired.