Water baptism is a commandment of our Lord Jesus Christ. When we are immersed into the water during baptism, we identify ourselves with Jesus in his death and burial. When we are raised up out of the water, we identify ourselves with the resurrection of Jesus and the hope of eternal life. It also demonstrates His Lordship as well as the new birth available in Him.
We believe baptism is an exciting part of a new believer's journey. It's a public declaration that you follow Jesus, and it's an opportunity for the church to celebrate your faith with you! If you have recently made the decision to follow Jesus, getting water baptised is the perfect next step for you!
2 Corinthians 5:17 (NIV) Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!
Frequently Asked Questions
1. WHAT IS WATER BAPTISM?
It is a spiritually meaningful, symbolic ceremony that publicly shows our desire to obey God and to follow Jesus.
2. WHY DO WE BAPTISE?
Jesus commanded us to baptize (Matthew 28:19-20), and we are following His example when we do it (Mark 1:9). It is a symbol of how we were spiritually buried with Him and raised for new life when we accepted His salvation.
3. IS BAPTISM PART OF SALVATION?
No. We are saved by faith and God’s grace, not by any religious works (Ephesians 2:8-9). Baptism is to salvation what a wedding ceremony is to a marriage. The wedding doesn’t legally make anyone married - that happens by the signing of a marriage license as witnessed by a church leader or court official. Baptism, like a wedding ceremony, is a public display of our love for someone - in this case, Jesus!
4. WHY IS BAPTISM DONE PUBLICLY?
Almost all of the biblical examples of baptism show people doing it in public (Acts 2:41), because we are not to be ashamed of Jesus when we have become Christians. We should want to share our joyous decision with family, friends, and our church.
5. WHY DO WE BAPTISE BY IMMERSION?
As we read the New Testament, we see people being taken down into water and brought back up (Matthew 3:16, Acts 8:38-39). The Greek word ‘baptizo’ means to immerse. Immersion is a picture of being buried and raised to new life in salvation (Romans 6:4). This is not a major doctrinal issue with us - we are more concerned with our hearts’ condition with Jesus. But, we want to practice scripture as closely as we understand it.
6. WHO CAN BAPTISE?
In the New Testament, we usually see church leaders baptizing (John 4:1-2, Acts 10:47-48, 16:33). Our pastors baptize, and will often invite lay ministers and family members to participate.
7. HOW SOON SHOULD WE BE BAPTISED?
In the New Testament, we see people being baptized immediately after salvation, as a first and public step of obedience to Jesus (Acts 2:41, 8:38-39, 10:47-48). We would encourage you to be baptized as close as possible to your date of salvation. There is no scriptural reason for waiting.
8. WHAT IF I WAS BAPTISED BEFORE GETTING SAVED? WHAT IF I WAS BAPTISED AS AN INFANT? DOES THIS FULFIL THE NEW TESTAMENT MANDATE OF WATER BAPTISM?
Since baptism is the first step of obedience after salvation, the first time may have been a well-meant, but only religious activity. We would invite you to be baptized again as a new Christian.No. Water baptism should follow after repentance and a decision to place ones faith in Christ Jesus as Saviour and Lord. True water baptism is always a ‘believer’s baptism’ as demonstrated in the New Testament. The baptism of an infant is the decision of the parent. Since infants cannot repent or place their faith in Christ, water baptism would become a meaningless ritual. If you were baptised as an infant, you need to be baptised as an adult.
9. WHAT IF I WAS NOT IMMERSED FOR BAPTISM?
Although the method of baptism is not a major doctrine to us, we do desire to practice the pattern found in the New Testament. So, we would invite you to be baptized by immersion.
10. HOW OFTEN CAN I BE BAPTISED?
In the New Testament, baptism is seen as a first-step, one-time ceremony. Since it is not a magical action that brings salvation or makes us closer to God, we would encourage you to not confuse yourself or others by being baptized more than once.
11. SHOULD INFANTS BE BAPTISED?
Although scripture shows Jesus welcoming and blessing children, it does not show Him baptizing infants, nor are there any passages that show or command this practice. Since baptism is a step of obedience after salvation, and since (due to mental development) infants cannot make that spiritual choice, we do not baptize them. We do, however, dedicate infants to the Lord (1 Samuel 1:27-28). This is a special commitment ceremony where the parents and the church pledge together to spiritually nurture the infant as he or she grows, and we pray for their eventual salvation.
12. CAN STUDENTS BE BAPTISED?
If a student (under 18 years of age) understood and accepted salvation, then there is no reason that they should not be baptized. We ask students under 18 years of age to obtain parental consent and we will meet up with them where we educate them on the meaning of baptism before they get baptized.
12. WHAT HAPPENS WHEN I SIGN UP TO GET BAPTISED?
When you register, you will be contacted to set up an appointment to meet with your Life Group Leader/ mentor to share your salvation experience and explain to you the meaning of baptism before you get baptized. During your meeting, you will be able to ask any questions that you may have about baptism.
13. WHAT HAPPENS DURING BAPTISM?
You will arrive 20 minutes before the baptism ceremony for check-in and a brief orientation. Please wear dark shorts and a dark t-shirt. You will be asked to step into the baptism pool where the pastor/ church leader will briefly state your salvation experience, and then you will be dipped into the water and quickly raised back up, symbolizing Jesus’ death and resurrection. Get baptized as our church celebrates your public commitment to Jesus.