1. What is baptism?

Baptism is a symbolic act that demonstrates outwardly what God has done in you. It’s a public declaration that you’re done with your old way of life and you’ve decided to follow Jesus with full allegiance. Doing it publicly allows God’s people to celebrate this decision with you (Acts 16:31-34).

Baptism does not save you, make God love you, or earn God’s favor in any special way. Rather, we are right with God because of what Jesus has done for us by His life, death on the Cross, and through His Resurrection. It is a symbol and celebration of God’s salvation and is a means of grace (1 Peter 3:21). The same power that brought Jesus back from the dead is the same power Jesus uses to change our lives.

2. Why does baptism matter?

First, Jesus instructs us to be baptized and set the example by His own baptism in the Jordan River (Mark 1:9). Being baptized is our first act of following Jesus’ example, setting the pattern for the rest of our life.

Second, it symbolizes Jesus’ death and resurrection. Going under the water represents dying to our old way of life, and rising to new life by Jesus’ resurrection power (1 Corinthians 15:3-4).

Third, it marks our entrance into God’s family, the Church (Matthew 28:19-20; Ephesians 4:4-6).

3. When is the best time to be baptized?

For every person who decides to follow Jesus, baptism is the next step. Anyone who commits his or her life to following Jesus is ready to be baptized (Acts 8:12).

4. Do you baptize children?

As parents, we are to help point our children to Jesus, but in the end, they choose if they will commit their lives to Him (Romans 10:9). Baptism follows a person’s decision to trust Jesus for his or her salvation and is an act of personal commitment to follow Him (Acts 10:47-48). We encourage parents to wait until children are old enough to express their own decision to follow Jesus and understand the meaning of baptism. Our pastors are happy to talk through any questions you have.

5. What’s the difference between immersing, sprinkling, and other ways of baptizing?

The English word ‘baptism’ is derived from a Greek word which means “to immerse.” (The New Testament portion of the Bible was written in Greek.) The first Christians immersed new believers as a symbolic act, representing the reality that to follow Jesus means immersing ourselves completely in Jesus’ way of life. Jesus was baptized by being immersed in the water (Matthew 3:16; Mark 1:10).

Other methods aren’t invalid, and if you have a health issue preventing immersion, we’d be glad to baptize you by a less physical method. We encourage immersion to evoke the symbolism.

6. I’ve been baptized before; do I need to be baptized again?

Baptism isn’t into a specific Church or Denomination; it is baptism into the Body of Christ. If you’ve professed your faith in Jesus through baptism before, there’s no need to be baptized again (1 Corinthians 12:13).

Contact Us for More Information

If you have any questions or need more information about baptism, please contact us:

Phone: 989-623-0063 (Office) | 219-309-6739 (Pastor Rich)
Email: [email protected]