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BAPTISM
We believe the Bible clearly teaches us that baptism is the first step of obedience after making a commitment to Christ. Baptism allows a Christ-follower to communicate to the world their heart-felt commitment to Christ. In Scripture, we see that people were:
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Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. Romans 6:4
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What is Baptism?
The word baptize means to dip, sink or to immerse. As a Christian, being immersed is simply an outward sign of what happens inside when you make the decision to accept and follow Christ. It shows symbolically how Jesus Christ was buried and resurrected.
Baptism is going public about your faith in Jesus and communicating to the world your heart-felt commitment to following Him. WHY SHOULD SOMEONE BE BAPTIZED?
It is a new beginning for you! Jesus commanded us to baptize (Matthew 28:18-20) and was Himself baptized (Matthew 3:16) as an example for us to follow. Baptism is a symbol that pictures the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus. When you become a Christian you become a new person (2 Corinthians 5:17). Being immersed in water shows our sinful past is "buried" with Christ in His death. We are raised out of the water to live a new life with Christ living in us as our forgiver and leader (Colossians 2:12).
When Should Someone Get Baptized?
3,000 people were baptized after believing in Jesus Christ (Acts. 2:41). You should be baptized when you accept Christ as your Lord and Savior. Choosing to be baptized is the first step of obedience to Christ that a believer makes (Acts 8:12).
WHAT IF I WAS BAPTIZED AS AN INFANT?
Infant baptism is done in some churches. The Bible shows us stories of people getting baptized shortly "after" they decided to follow Christ (Acts. 8:36-38). An infant cannot make this decision, and the Bible is very clear that baptism follows a personal commitment to Jesus Christ.
WHY BAPTISM BY IMMERSION?
Baptisms in the Bible were by immersion. The original word for baptism refers to being immersed or submerged in water. Jesus was baptized by being immersed in the water and rising out of it (Matthew 3:16, Mark 1:10).
Submersion in the water symbolizes the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus (1 Corinthians 15:3-4). Being submersed under water represents our death to sin and old way of life, and being raised out of the water is a picture of how Jesus raised us and gave us a fresh start in life (Romans 6:3-5). How Do I Get Baptized?
The process of baptism is simple, but extremely meaningful. We would like to help you with your going public for Jesus through baptism.
UpStreet Baptism Explanation from NPkids on Vimeo. |
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