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What is the meaning of baptism?
Baptism illustrates Christ's burial and resurrection and through baptism, we identify ourselves with Him. "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 Baptism illustrates my new life as a Christian."For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin-because anyone who has died has been freed from sin." —Romans 6:6-7
Why be baptized by immersion?
Because Jesus was baptized that way.
"As soon as Jesus was baptized, He went up out of the water." —Matthew 3:16
Every baptism in the Bible was by immersion.
"...then both Philip and the man went down in to the water and Phillip baptized him. When they came up out of the water..." —Acts 8:38-39
What if I was baptized as an infant?
In the Bible, we find parents bringing their children to Jesus. He held them, prayed for them and told us to welcome them. But he did not baptize them. Baptism is for those who have made a personal decision to trust Christ alone for their salvation. If you were baptized as a child, it was the intent of your parents that you would one day be a follower of Christ. Your baptism as an adult can be viewed as the fulfillment of your parent's wishes.
Why did Jesus get baptized?
We do not know for sure, but there are four possible explanations:
Jesus was confessing sin on behalf of a nation (Israel) as Nehemiah, Ezra, Moses and Daniel had.
He was showing support for what John was doing.
It was a beginning to Jesus' public ministry.
Jesus was identifying with the repentant people of God, not with the critical Pharisees.
Is baptism a guarantee of getting into heaven if I die?
The clear answer is no. God offers his forgiveness and life as a free gift of grace. We receive it by trust. Baptism is not a ticket into heaven. It is an expression of trust, but you have to make that decision to trust. Please don't misunderstand what baptism is about in this sense, and don't count on it as an automatic ticket to heaven.
Can my child get baptized?
Because of its symbolism, Baptism requires a more adult level of cognitive and developmental readiness. We ask that children have completed 5th grade or have gone through with the Baptism class that Kid Central offers prior to being baptized.
What do I Wear?
Women should wear dark shorts or capris and a loose-fitting, dark-colored shirt. (We encourage you to wear your swimsuit under your clothes). Men may wear a swimsuit or shorts with a dark-colored shirt.
Please bring a change of clothes, a towel and a plastic bag for your wet clothes.
For outdoor baptisms, you should wear old tennis shoes or aqua shoes (No flip flops-you'll likely lose one!). Barefoot is OK indoors-the baptistery is non-slip.
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