WHY BAPTISM?

 

As Christians, we believe that Jesus, the Son of God, lived a sinless life, and with his life here on earth, provided us with an example of how we are to live for God.

 

However, this was not his mission. His mission was to offer us a way to once and for all have forgiveness for ours sins and a new life with everlasting hope. He did this by going to the cross, taking on our sin, and dying in our place. Jesus was buried and placed in a tomb. But death could not defeat him, and three days later he rose from the dead and is now seated at the right hand of God in heaven where he is preparing a home for all those who love him.

(This is what we refer to as The Salvation Message)

 

Salvation is a gift from God (Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:8-9). We cannot do anything to ever earn our salvation or to ever deserve it in any way (Romans 3:28; Galatians 2:15-16). We believe that people can only be saved by the grace of God through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. When we declare that Jesus is Lord (Romans 10:9-10) and we are united with him in baptism … we are expressing our faith in the power of Jesus to save us from our sins and to give us a new life (Romans 6:1-4). 

 

Why be baptized?

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1) We are called to follow Christ’s example.

Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children. Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. (Ephesians 5:1-2)

 

      *** Jesus, himself, was baptized in the Jordan River by John the Baptist.

     Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. But John tried to deter him,         saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?”

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     Jesus replied, “Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.” Then John       consented. As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven           was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. And a               voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”

     (Matthew 3:13-17)

 

2) We are baptized because Jesus commanded it.

Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 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. (Matthew 28:18-20)

 

3) We are baptized to show we are a believer. 

Those who believed and accepted His message were baptized. (Acts 2:41)

But when they believed Philip as he preached the Good News… and in the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. (Acts 8:12)

 

 4) Our Baptism is an act that unites us with Christ in his death, burial, and resurrection.

Don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 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: 3-4)

 

       *** This is also why we believe in baptism by immersion:

       1) Jesus was baptized by immersion, so we follow his example.

       2) As we go under the water, this represents the dying of our sin stained life and as we come                       up out of the water, this represents the birth of our new life in Christ.

       3) If you have not been baptized by immersion, we encourage you to do so. Immersion does not               devalue a prior experience but simply reflects your desire to be baptized in the same way Jesus             was baptized. 

 

5) And finally … Baptism is a symbol of your new life as a Christian.

When someone becomes a Christian he (or she) becomes a brand new person inside.

The old life passed away and a new life has begun! (2 Corinthians 5:17)