Baptisms at Grace are a celebration…..a BIG celebration! The most exciting thing we can celebrate together as a church family is witnessing people enter new life. To watch someone both declare to follow Jesus and to symbolically enter the new life He offers is something we all want to celebrate together.
People often have questions regarding baptism:
- Why should I be baptized?
- What if I’ve already been baptized—do I have to do it again?
- Does it matter if someone is sprinkled or dunked?
Take a few minutes to read the answers to these common questions about baptism:
What is baptism?
Baptism is an outward expression of an inward change. It’s a public declaration of how Jesus changed your life. Being baptized shows others that you’ve decided to follow Jesus, and allows them to celebrate this decision with you (Acts 16:31-34).
Baptism doesn’t save a person; it’s a symbol and celebration of salvation (1 Peter 3:21). The power that brought Jesus back to life is the same power Jesus uses to change our lives – and that’s worth getting excited about!
Why should I be baptized?
Jesus instructs us to be baptized and set the example by being baptized (Matthew 28:19-20, Mark 1:9).
Obedience to Jesus shows we believe and follow Him. (1 John 2:3). Because Jesus went public about His love for us, we can go public about our love for Him. Being baptized shows that we turn away from a life of sin toward Jesus, the only one who can change us (Acts 2:38-41).
What’s the difference between immersing, sprinkling and other ways of baptizing?
Baptisms in the Bible were by immersion. The original word for baptism most often referred to being immersed or submerged in water. Jesus was baptized by being immersed in the water and rising out of it (Matthew 3:16, Mark 1:10).
Immersion in the water symbolizes the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus (1 Corinthians 15:3-4). Being immersed under water represents our death to sin and old way of life, and being raised out of the water is a picture of how Jesus raised us and gave us a fresh start in life (Romans 6:3-5)
What about children?
All instances of baptism follow an individual’s decision to trust Jesus alone for their salvation. When a child makes a decision to follow Christ, we will gladly baptize them, with their parent or guardian’s permission, as a symbol of their faith in Christ, after they have met with one of our pastors or trained counselors to answer any questions they may have about their decision.
Do I need to be baptized again?
If you haven’t been baptized by immersion since you decided to follow Jesus, we want to help you take your next step of being baptized. Once you’ve taken that step, there’s no need to be baptized again.
God never asks us to take a next step that isn’t good for us. He always gives us more than we deserve or can imagine, including the joy we receive from listening to Him and doing what He says.
Are you ready to take your next step in baptism? We are here to help. Let us know by filling out the form below: