Jesus commanded it.
It illustrates Christ's burial and resurrection.
It illustrates my new life as a Christian.
Baptism publicly declares your personal commitment to Jesus Christ. It is an outward expression of an inward decision to follow Jesus with your life by confessing your sinful past, receiving God’s forgiveness and living your life God’s way.
Jesus said, “Go then, to all people everywhere and make them my disciples, baptize them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit…” (Matthew 28:19-20).
Jesus said, “Go then, to all people everywhere and make them my disciples, baptize them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit…” (Matthew 28:19-20).
When should I be baptized?
There is no reason to delay. As soon as you have decided to accept Christ as your Lord and Savior, you can and should be baptized. If you wait until you are "perfect," you'll never get there. Baptism may be your next step!
Who should be baptized?
We believe every person who has placed his or her faith in Jesus should be baptized. At Grace Point, we wait until our children are old enough to believe and understand the true meaning of baptism before we baptize them.
Some churches practice a "baptism of confirmation" for children. This ceremony is intended to be a covenant between the parents and God on the behalf of the child. This is different from the baptism talked about in the Bible which was only for those old enough to believe. The purpose is to publicly confess your personal commitment to Christ.
Some churches practice a "baptism of confirmation" for children. This ceremony is intended to be a covenant between the parents and God on the behalf of the child. This is different from the baptism talked about in the Bible which was only for those old enough to believe. The purpose is to publicly confess your personal commitment to Christ.
Can my family be baptized together?
Yes! If each family member understands fully the meaning of baptism, and each one has personally placed his/her trust in Jesus Christ for salvation, we encourage families to be baptized at the same time. It is a wonderful expression of commitment.
However, it is important to remember that baptism is a personal statement of faith, not a family tradition. It is usually not wise to delay your baptism while waiting on other family members to accept Christ, particularly children. This puts an undue pressure on them, and delays your obedience.
However, it is important to remember that baptism is a personal statement of faith, not a family tradition. It is usually not wise to delay your baptism while waiting on other family members to accept Christ, particularly children. This puts an undue pressure on them, and delays your obedience.
Why does Grace Point practice baptism by immersion?
We practice baptism by immersion as it symbolizes burial and resurrection as defined in scripture. We have this conviction for several reasons. As we've studied scripture, we see Jesus baptized that way. We see only immersion baptisms in the book of Acts. And the Greek work for "baptize" means "to immerse or dip under water." We also see leading church figures prescribe it:
Martin Luther: "I would have those who are to be baptized to be entirely immersed, as the work imports and the mystery signifies."
John Calvin: "The word ´baptize´ signifies to immerse. It is certain that immersion was the practice of the ancient church."
John Wesley: "Buried with Him, alludes to baptizing by immersion according to the custom of the first church."
Martin Luther: "I would have those who are to be baptized to be entirely immersed, as the work imports and the mystery signifies."
John Calvin: "The word ´baptize´ signifies to immerse. It is certain that immersion was the practice of the ancient church."
John Wesley: "Buried with Him, alludes to baptizing by immersion according to the custom of the first church."
What does a baptism service look like?
Typically we hold a baptism service every August at Alum Creek State Park Beach. It's a fun event for everyone who attends.
At the service, a pastor will briefly explain the meaning of baptism. You will wait at the edge of the water for your turn to be baptized. You or the person baptizing you will share the story of how you accepted Christ, what being a Christian means to you, and why you are getting baptized. You will then be briefly lowered just under the water, and brought back up to a church family excited to see your commitment. And we encourage you to invite all your relatives and friends to attend your baptism...it is a great celebration of a new life in Christ!
At the service, a pastor will briefly explain the meaning of baptism. You will wait at the edge of the water for your turn to be baptized. You or the person baptizing you will share the story of how you accepted Christ, what being a Christian means to you, and why you are getting baptized. You will then be briefly lowered just under the water, and brought back up to a church family excited to see your commitment. And we encourage you to invite all your relatives and friends to attend your baptism...it is a great celebration of a new life in Christ!
"For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures."
1 Corinthians 15:3-4
"...having been buried with him in baptism and raised with him through your faith in the power of God, who raised him from the dead."
Colossians 2:12
"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!"
2 Corinthians 5:17
"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
"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith — and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God — not by works, so that no one can boast."
Ephesians 2:8-9
"Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day."
Acts 2:41
"But when they believed Philip as he preached the good news of the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. Simon himself believed and was baptized. And he followed Philip everywhere, astonished by the great signs and miracles he saw."
Acts 8:12-13
"Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day."
Acts 2:41
"Then Philip began with that very passage of Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus. As they traveled along the road, they came to some water and the eunuch said, 'Look, here is water. Why shouldn't I be baptized?' And he gave orders to stop the chariot. Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and Philip baptized him."
Acts 8:35-38
"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 lighting on him."
Matthew 3:16
1 Corinthians 15:3-4
"...having been buried with him in baptism and raised with him through your faith in the power of God, who raised him from the dead."
Colossians 2:12
"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!"
2 Corinthians 5:17
"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
"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith — and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God — not by works, so that no one can boast."
Ephesians 2:8-9
"Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day."
Acts 2:41
"But when they believed Philip as he preached the good news of the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. Simon himself believed and was baptized. And he followed Philip everywhere, astonished by the great signs and miracles he saw."
Acts 8:12-13
"Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day."
Acts 2:41
"Then Philip began with that very passage of Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus. As they traveled along the road, they came to some water and the eunuch said, 'Look, here is water. Why shouldn't I be baptized?' And he gave orders to stop the chariot. Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and Philip baptized him."
Acts 8:35-38
"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 lighting on him."
Matthew 3:16