Baptism
Baptism is our chance to participate in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ and to begin a brand new life in Him.
Questions About Baptism
Baptism is a big deal around here. We believe it’s an important first step after the best decision you could ever make to follow Jesus. Here are some common questions, and we’d love to talk more with you about this decision!
What is baptism?
Romans 6:3-4 tells us that baptism is our chance to participate in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ and to begin a brand new life in Him. Baptism does not save us. Ephesians 2:8-9 tells us that we are saved by grace and through our faith, but baptism is the point in which God causes us to die to our old life and start a new one.
Why should I be baptized?
1. For forgiveness of sins and the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Acts 2:38 shows us an example of people realizing their sin and asking what they should do because of it. They are told them to repent (meaning to turn away from sin) and be baptized. The result is that they would receive the forgiveness of their sins and the gift of the Holy Spirit.
2. To be united with Christ in new life.
One of the greatest blessings that God gives us is an opportunity to live a new life. In Romans 6:3-4, we see that in the same way that Jesus died and was buried, our old sin-filled self dies and is buried in the waters of baptism and we rise up to live a new life in Jesus.
3. To join God’s family.
When we give in to sin, we walk away from God’s family, but Galatians 3:26-27 tells us that when we are baptized, we are adopted back into the family of God. This means that we are a part of His worldwide church and we have the blessings of being a part of God’s family.
When’s the best time to be baptized?
Right now! Ok, maybe not right this second, but throughout the Bible, whenever a person decides to put their faith in Jesus, they were baptized right away. So, if you’re ready to follow Jesus, then you should take the step of baptism.
Our baptistry is ready everyday of the week. While we encourage people to be baptized on Sunday mornings so that our church family can be a part of this important moment, we can schedule another time for your baptism.
Do you baptize children?
As parents, we can help point our children to Jesus, but they are the ones to decide if they will commit their lives to Him (Romans 10:9).
Any instance of baptism follows a person’s decision to trust Jesus for his or her salvation and commitment to follow Him (Acts 10:47-48). At SCC, we wait until children are old enough to express their own decision to follow Jesus and understand the meaning of baptism.
If you or your child has questions about them being baptized, we would love for you to schedule a time to talk with Joe, our Senior Minister!
What’s the difference between immersing, sprinkling and other ways of baptizing?
Baptisms in the Bible were by immersion. The original word for baptism most often referred 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 underwater 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).
Do I need to be baptized again?
If you haven’t been baptized by immersion since you decided to follow Jesus, we want to help you take your next step of being baptized. Once you’ve taken that step, there’s no need to be baptized again.
If I reach out to be baptized, what happens next?
First, we’ll celebrate!! Then Joe, our Senior Minister, will reach out to you through the provided information to answer any questions you might have and to set up a time to either talk more in-person or to schedule your baptism.
“Once I’ve been baptized, what’s my next step?”
As Christians, we were never called to go through life alone. God has blessed us with relationships
that will sustain us through the highs and lows.
As you grow in your faith, a great next step for you to take is to join a Life Group!