Baptism
Baptism is the outward expression of inward grace………
Baptism is the first and most important step of obedience that portrays to others we have personally trusted and accepted Jesus Christ as our savior. When Christians are baptized, they are submerged under water to identify with the death and burial of Jesus and raised out of the water to identify with His resurrection. People often have questions regarding baptism: Why be baptized? Should I be baptized again? Please take a few minutes and read the facts about baptism.
BAPTISM FACTS
REASONS FOR BAPTISM
People who are baptized are following Jesus’ example and also being obedient to His command.
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 fromheaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” —Matthew 3:16–17
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 havecommanded you.” —Matthew 28:18–20
SIGNIFICANCE OF BAPTISM
Water baptism is a public declaration of three very important things
You have become a follower of Jesus Christ. Those who accepted his message were baptized.
~Acts 2:41
You are beginning a changed life in Christ. We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just asChrist was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too maylive a new life.
~Romans 6:4
You are part of God’s family. So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.
~Galations 3:26–27
SHOULD I BE BAPTIZED AGAIN? IF I HAVE ALREADY BEEN BAPTIZED?
The baptism you had before should have been a significance that you are a follower of Jesus, you have began achanged life, and you have united with a new family. If your baptism did not reflect this change in your life, then you should be baptized again.
BAPTISM FOR CHILDREN
We will baptize anyone who understands what baptism symbolizes and wants to make that personal public declaration. We encourage all parents to contact our Higher Heights youth pastor to guide your child through these decisions of faith.
INFANT BAPTISM
Throughout the New Testament, the Bible teaches that baptism is a public expression of worship symbolizing the new life we have when we follow Jesus. In the Bible we see that Jesus’ parents dedicated him to the Lord (Luke 2:22–40), and he was later baptized as an adult (Matthew 3:16–17).
We understand that some churches practice “baptism of confirmation” for children. This ceremony is intended to be a commitment between the parents and God on the behalf of the child. Theparents promise to raise their child in the faith until the child is old enough to make his or her own personal confession of Christ. This custom began about 300 years after the Bible was completed and is different from the biblical examples of new believers being baptized to publicly profess their faith inJesus. Believers baptism is offered every four times a year.