Thank You for Your Interest in Water Baptism!
If you are a new believer, or have been a believer for awhile and have not yet been water baptized, or maybe you're just curious and have questions, you are in the right place.
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Below we will describe who is a candidate for water baptism and what is involved in the process.
Who is a Candidate for Water Baptism?
There is only one criterion to be a candidate for water baptism, and that is that you have heard the Gospel of Jesus Christ and believed, repenting of the sinful ways of your past and following Him.
"...if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe with your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved." Romans 10:9
"Then he brought them out and asked, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" 31 They replied, "Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved, along with everyone in your household."" - Acts 16:30-31
In the book of Acts 8:26-40 is the account of the Ethiopian eunuch to whom Philip was sent by Holy Spirit. He was reading the scroll of the prophet Isaiah which points to the coming Messiah. Philip asked the eunuch if he understood what he was reading. The eunuch replied, "How can I unless someone guides me." Philip explained the meaning of the scripture and the eunuch believed. He then said to Philip "See, here is water, what prevents me from being baptized?" Because the truth of Jesus, the Messiah had been explained to him, he believed and was saved, and there was no reason that he should not be baptized. The willful choice to believe in Christ and to leave our former life in darkness behind is necessary for salvation and then baptism.
Do I Have to be Baptized to be Saved?
No. If baptism were necessary for salvation, it would have been emphasized everywhere the doctrine of salvation is mentioned. For by "grace you are saved through faith, not of works...", including water baptism.
"Anyone who believes and is baptized will be saved. But anyone who refuses to believe will be condemned." - Mark 16:16 NLT
Some like to use Mark 16:16 to conflate baptism with salvation, yet even the verse itself makes it clear about the primacy of belief over baptism. In the first part it says "Anyone who believes & is Baptized will be saved", but on the weightier matter of eternal condemnation it says that only those who refuse to "believe" will be condemned.
"16 "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life." - John 3:16 ESV
"8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast." - Ephesians 2:8-9 ESV
The great apostle Paul in his letter to the Ephesian church says we are saved by grace "through faith." The word "faith" here is from the Greek "pistis", which means firm persuasion, moral conviction, assurance, belief. From God's kindness and love for us we saved when we believe in His only begotten Son and His salvific work of death and resurrection to life again.
"41 And we indeed justly, for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong." 42 And he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom." 43 And he said to him, "Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise."" - Luke 23:41-43 ESV
At the point of His crucifixion, while hanging on the cross, one of the thieves on a cross next to Jesus displayed a repentant heart, acknowledging his sin and accepting the legal consequence for it. He asked Jesus to "remember" him when He came into His kingdom. This thief seemed to clearly recognize the divine authority of Jesus as God in making this request. More importantly Jesus responded by promising this thief that "today you will be with Me in paradise." The thief was obviously not water baptized, and yet Christ, because of the belief, and repentant heart of this man, declared that He would meet Christ in paradise being saved from Hell and eternal separation from his God, his Father.
Do We Perform Infant Baptism?
No. Because salvation is the sole criterion for baptism and also that salvation is based upon belief, and as infants generally incapable of understanding the Gospel of Jesus Christ and choosing to believe, we do not perform Infant Baptism. We do perform baby dedications, which are primarily about the parents & family of the baby committing to raise the child up in the fear and admonition of the Lord in the hope that they will one day believe in Jesus for salvation.
I Want to Be Baptized, Now What?
First, CONGRATULATIONS! Your life will never be the same because of your faith in Jesus. Getting baptized is as easy as "1, 2, 3"
1.
Complete the Application for Baptism form either on paper available in the Church foyer, or online by clicking this link.
2.
Meet with pastor beforehand to discuss your baptism.
3.
Come prepared to be baptized on the scheduled date. Invite your family & friends, especially those who don't yet know Jesus as their Savior & Lord.
On The Day of Your Baptism, Here Are Some Things You Will Need to Bring
CLOTHING: A Change of clothes to be baptized, fully immersed, in water. Short or long pants, T-shirt, underwear etc. DARK COLORS TO AVOID TRANSPARENCY WHEN WET.
TOWEL: A towel will NOT be provided, so please remember to bring one with you.
OTHER ITEMS: Water Shoes are recommended; Brush, comb, camera.
We Will Provide
A Certificate of Baptism, and a place to change clothes.