Baptismal Classes

The pastor spends 30-60 minutes with each baptismal candidate. If you would like to be baptized call the church office for more information and to set up an appointment.
 

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Matthew 28:18-20

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 have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
 

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Christ and Baptism

The last words of Jesus in the Gospel of Matthew are often referred to as the Great Commission. This commission includes instruction about baptism.

It is important to note that this instruction is based on the authority that Christ has received from His Heavenly Father. As Christians share their faith, they need to do so with the intent of making disciples of those who trust in Christ as their Savior. Jesus taught that disciple-making included both baptizing and teaching. The order is important. Often much teaching and waiting transpires before baptism takes place. The Bible indicates however, that baptism should be one of the first acts of obedience in the new believer's life.

For those who might waver in their full obedience, the Great Commission passage ends with a promise I am with you always, to the very end of the age.

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Our Identification

Baptism is a public identification of the Christian with their Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. It is God's chosen means by which every believer should share their faith in Christ. Only those who have come to a personal salvation experience with Jesus Christ should be baptized.

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Believer's Baptism

Just as wearing a wedding ring doesn't make you married, so baptism doesn't make you a Christian. Baptism by immersion is a divine picture of a Christian's new life in Christ. Going fully under the water reminds us that we are dead to sin, whereas coming up out of the water causes us to remember our new life in Christ. Baptism is an external symbol of an internal reality just as is the wedding ring.

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Baptism By Immersion

Baptism by immersion, going fully under the water, is the form that best fits the New Testament model. The word itself means primarily to immerse or to dip. Further, when John the Baptist was baptizing in Aenon near Salim, he did so because there was much water there, John 3:23. The Ethiopian said, See, here is water. What hinders me from being baptized? Acts 8:36. Finally, the believer's death to sin, and their resurrection to new life in Christ, is best illustrated by immersion, Romans 6:4-6.

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Infants and Baptism

Since baptism is a picture of what Christ has done in the life of the new convert it is inappropriate to baptize infants. Many however do dedicate their infants to the Lord in a Parent-Child Dedication. If you would like to publicly dedicate your child than call the church office for more details.

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Children and Baptism

The issue is simple. Has the child entered into a personal relationship with Jesus Christ? Do they comprehend that they were sinners? Do they understand that Christ had to die for their sins? Are they trusting in Christ alone for eternal life?

Often preschool child are not able to understand the symbolism involved in baptism. Therefore it is suggested that they not be encouraged to be baptized. Older children will need to be able to give a clear salvation testimony to one of the pastors. It is the responsibility of the parents to instruct their child in the nature and significance of baptism. Because the Bible puts no age restrictions, neither do we, only that they comprehend the significance of believer's baptism by immersion.

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Some Baptized in the New Testament

Jesus Christ, Matthew 3:13-15, Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. But John tried to deter him, saying, "I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?" Jesus replied, "Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness." Then John consented.

A Political Leader, Acts 8:35-38, ... 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.

A Clothing Dealer, Acts 16:14-15, One of those listening was a woman named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth from the city of Thyatira, who was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to respond to Paul's message. When she and the members of her household were baptized, she invited us to her home.

A Jailor, Acts 16:30-33, ..."Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" They replied, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved-- you and your household." Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all the others in his house. At that hour of the night the jailer took them and washed their wounds; then immediately he and all his family were baptized.

A Synagogue Ruler, Acts 18:8, Crispus, the synagogue ruler, and his entire household believed in the Lord; and many of the Corinthians who heard him believed and were baptized.

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