BAPTISM
Baptism is an important spiritual milestone. In the New Testament, new believers were baptized immediately after their salvation experience. They received Jesus as Savior, and then followed Jesus in baptism to show they were not ashamed of Him.
Baptism was not a work that earned salvation, for the Bible says that for by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of ourselves, it is a gift of God . . . (Ephesians 2:8). God gives salvation when we by faith invite Jesus to be our Savior. Baptism is a beautiful symbol that identifies us with Jesus.
Baptism, first, symbolizes our death, burial, and resurrection. The Bible says, “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new” (2 Cor. 5:17).
Baptism, second, identifies us with the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus. Again, it demonstrates we are not ashamed of Christ.
In the New Testament, baptism was by immersion. People were placed under the water, and then raised from the water. Baptism usually takes place in a worship service in which all worshippers celebrate this special moment with the one being baptized.
Do you have questions about being baptized? Please call one of our pastors and he’ll be glad to talk with you.