1. It Illustrates Christ’s burial & resurrection.

“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 (NIV)

2. It Illustrates my new life in Christ.

“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 6:4 (NIV)

*Baptism does not make you a Christ-follower. It shows that you already are one. Baptism is like a wedding ring – it is the outward symbol of a commitment you make in your heart.

Scripture lists at least three reasons why every believer should be baptized:

1. To Follow the example set by Jesus.

“At that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John

in the Jordan.” Mark 1:9 (NIV)

If Jesus, who was the sinless, perfect Son of God, submitted himself to baptism and obeyed his Father, just to set the example for us, then we should willingly do the same and follow his example.

2. Because Jesus commands it.

“Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:19-20 (NLT)

3. It demonstrates that you really are a believer.

“And we can be sure that we know him if we obey his commandments.” 1 John 2:3 (NLT)

1. BECAUSE THE WORD BAPTIZE (BAPTIZO IN THE GREEK) MEANT “TO IMMERSE” OR “TO DIP UNDERWATER.” If the Bible had wanted us to be sprinkled it would have used the word rhantizo. When Jesus was baptized, he went to John the Baptizer (John the Immerser). The word “baptism” is simply a transliteration of the word baptize. That word refers to immersion.

2. BECAUSE JESUS WAS BAPTIZED THAT WAY. “As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and lighting on him.” Matthew 3:16 (NIV)

3. BECAUSE EVERY BAPTISM IN THE BIBLE WAS BY IMMERSION. “... 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 (NIV)

4. BECAUSE IMMERSION BEST SYMBOLIZES A DEATH AND RESURRECTION. Listen to what some of the great leaders of the Christian faith have said about baptism:

Martin Luther (Lutherans) - “I would have those who are baptized to be entirely immersed, as the Word imparts and the mystery signifies.”

John Calvin (Presbyterians) - “The word ‘baptize’ signifies to immerse. It is certain that immersion was the practice of the ancient church.”

John Wesley (Methodists) - “Buried with Him, alluding to baptism by immersion according to the custom of the first church.”

Baptism is not a matter of location, denomination or institution. Rather, it is a matter of identification - our identification with Jesus in his death, burial and resurrection in obedience to God’s Word. Some churches believe that you must be baptized in their church for it to truly “count”. The Bible, however, teaches that baptism is about your relationship with Christ, not with a local church. If you were baptized in one church and then later moved, your baptism is not changed in the eyes of God. The only requirements that must be met for baptism to be acceptable, appropriate and biblical are:

• You trusted Christ prior to baptism.

• Your baptism was by immersion.

• Your baptism was performed by a biblical Christian Church.

Our church recommends that you be baptized again if you have not been baptized by immersion since you came to the conclusion to believe in Christ. It doesn’t devalue a prior experience but simply reflects your desire to be baptized in the same way Jesus was baptized.

YES! If each family member understands fully the meaning of baptism, and each one has personally placed his/her trust in Christ for salvation, we encourage families to be baptized at the same time. It is a wonderful expression of commitment.

“And that water is a picture of baptism, which now saves you, not by removing dirt from your body, but as a response to God from a clean conscience. It is effective because of the resurrection of Jesus Christ.” 1 Peter 3:21 (NLT) Throughout the New Testament there is a specific order that is followed— “they believed and were baptized.” Therefore, only those who were old enough to choose to trust Christ for themselves were baptized. The reason is that the act of baptism reflections the decision of a person to follow Christ, and infant baptism points only to the parent’s faith and choice, not that of the child. The command of Jesus to be baptized is about a personal relationship with Christ. Therefore, a person needs to be of an age that allows them to make a decision personally to obey Jesus in baptism.

Baptism is not a prerequisite for heaven. Neither are we saved through or by baptism. The act of being submerged underwater doesn’t save us. Jesus saves us through his death on the cross and resurrection from the dead. When we place our faith in his work for us, we are saved at that moment. “If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by confessing with your mouth that you are saved.” Romans 10:9-10 (NLT) We are saved through faith in God’s work that made our salvation possible. “God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it.” Ephesians 2:8-9 (NLT) Baptism does not save you, but the saved are baptized. If Jesus is truly the Lord of our life, then we will obey his commands. If one of his commands is that we be baptized, then we will be baptized. “Here’s how we can be sure that we know God in the right way: Keep his commandments.” 1 John 2:3 (MSG)