Water baptism is the act of being immersed in water according to the command and instruction of Jesus Christ (Matthew 28:19).
While baptism does not wash away sins, it is the answer of a good conscience toward God (1 Peter 3:21). It is an outward expression of the inward transformation that takes place when a person puts their faith in Christ.
Baptism represents the believer's identity with the death, burial, and resurrection of our Lord, as taught in Romans 6:3–5.
An Act of Obedience
Baptism is an important step of obedience in the life of every believer.
Jesus said:
"He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned." (Mark 16:16)
On the Day of Pentecost, the Apostle Peter instructed those who were convicted in their hearts:
"Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost." (Acts 2:38)
A New Life In Christ
The Apostle Paul teaches that baptism symbolizes the putting away of the old life and the beginning of a new life in Christ.
He compares it to a spiritual circumcision - not performed by human hands, but accomplished by Christ through faith.
"Your whole self-ruled by the flesh was put off when you were circumcised by Christ, having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through your faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead." (Colossians 2:11-12)
The Meaning of Baptism
The Apostle Peter reminds us that Jesus Christ paid the price to free us from sin.
Baptism itself does not save us; rather, we are saved through the resurrection of Jesus Christ. He affirms that the act of water baptism is the pledge of a clear conscience towards God and through it we identify with the power of the cross and resurrection to deliver us completely from the power and authority of sin.
Peter explains:
"For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit. After being made alive, he went and made proclamation to the imprisoned spirits to those who were disobedient long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built. In it only a few people, eight in all, were saved through water, and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also - not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a clear conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who has gone into heaven and is at God’s right hand - with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him." (1 Peter 3:18-22)
Why Be Baptized?
Water baptism is:
Interested in Baptism?
If you have accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior and would like to be baptized, we would be honored to walk alongside you in this important step of faith.
Please contact us for more information.