1.  It illustrates Christ’s death and resurrection.

1 Corinthians 15:3-4, For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures.

Colossians 2:12, Having been buried with Him in baptism, in which you were also raised up with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead.

2.  It illustrates my new life as a Christian.

2 Corinthians 5:17, Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come.

Romans 6:4, Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, in order that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life. 

Baptism doesn’t make you a believer – it shows that you already are one!   Baptism does not “save” you, only your faith in Christ does that.  Baptism is like a wedding ring – it’s the outward symbol of the commitment you make in your heart.

Ephesians 2:8-9, For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God, 9 not as a result of works, that no one should boast.

1. Because Jesus was baptized that way.

Matthew 3:16, And after being baptized, Jesus went up immediately from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove, and coming upon Him.

2. Every baptism in the Bible was by immersion.

Acts 8:38-39, And he ordered the chariot to stop; and they both went down into the water, Philip as well as the eunuch; and he baptized him. 39 And when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord snatched Philip away; and the eunuch saw him no more, but went on his way rejoicing. 

The word BAPTIZE means “To immerse water”. 

The Greek word BAPTIZO means “To immerse or dip under water”.

3. It symbolizes a burial a resurrection.

The founders of denominations agree:

Martin Luther… “I would have those who are to be baptized to be entirely immersed, as the word imports and the mystery signifies.”

John Calvin… “The word ‘baptize’ signifies to immerse.  It is certain that immersion was the practice of the ancient church.” 

John Wesley… “Buried with Him, alluding to baptizing by immersion according to the custom of the first church.”

Every person who has trusted in Christ. 

Acts 2:41, But when they believed Philip preaching the good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were being baptized, men and women alike.

Acts 8:12, But when they believed Philip preaching the good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were being baptized, men and women alike.

Some churches practice a “baptism of confirmation” for children.  This ceremony is seen as a covenant between the parents and God on the behalf of the child.  By having their child “baptized” the parents are promising to raise their child in the faith until that child is old enough to understand and make his own personal confession of Christ.  This custom began about 300 years after the Bible was completed.  At Life Community Church we only baptize those old enough to understand the meaning of baptism and believe in Christ.

The baptism of the New Testament is a “baptism of confession”.  The purpose was to publicly confess your personal commitment to Christ.  We feel it is important for every believer to be baptized in the New Testament way as Jesus commanded, even though you may have been “confirmed” as a child.

As soon as you have believed.

Acts 2:41, So then, those who had received his word were baptized; and there were added that day about three thousand souls.

Acts 8:35-38, And Phillips opened his mouth, and beginning from this Scripture he preached Jesus to him. 36 And as they went along the road they came to some water; and the eunuch said, “Look! Water! What prevents me from being baptized?”  37 [And Philip said, “If you believe with all your heart, you may.” And he answered and said, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.”}  38 And he ordered the chariot to stop; and they both went down into the water, Philip as well as the eunuch; and he baptized him.

There is no reason to delay.  As soon as a person decides to believe in Christ, he can and should be baptized.  If you wait until you are “perfect”, you’ll never feel “good enough”!

Yes.  You will be asked if you have confessed Christ as the Lord of your life.

Yes, your child may be baptized, however we do not baptize infants.