BE Baptized

Believer's Baptism: 

• Baptism is a celebration!  We practice something that is termed "believer's baptism", which means that individuals are baptized upon their profession of faith in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. It is a public declaration of their faith in Jesus Christ. 

Immersion: 

• Baptism is a tangible, interactive event.  We practice baptism by immersion, where the new believer is fully submerged in water with the church present. This mode of baptism symbolizes the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, as well as the new believers identification with Jesus in His death (down in the water) and new life (back up, raised to new life).

Symbol of Faith: 

• Baptism is when your faith goes public.  It symbolizes the believer's turning from their sin, their new birth in Christ, and their warm welcome into the greater body of Christ, the church.   Baptism does not save you; it is a public expression of your faith in Christ, shared with the community to demonstrate your belief.  Faith in Jesus is what saves us, and baptism alongside a local church is our first step of obedience in that faith.

Although many more examples exist, here a few scripture references to consider: 

• "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." (Matthew 28:18)

• "Peter replied, 'Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.'" (Acts 2:38)

• "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)