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Baptism is a first step of obedience after receiving Christ as Savior and Lord. The word means “to dip, immerse, place into.” Water baptism is a way of saying publicly that Jesus Christ is now your Lord. You are stating that your life is under “new management”! Baptism is the first step of commitment to Jesus Christ after receiving Him as your personal Savior. In olden times, slaves were baptized into the name of the temple god to be a temple slave. When a person gets baptized in the name of Jesus Christ (Acts 10:48), he is saying that he is considering himself a lifetime servant of Jesus Christ.  For more information about what it means to be a Christian, click here.

Who should get baptized?

All who receive Jesus Christ as their personal Savior. “Those who accepted His message were baptized.” (Acts 2:41a)

Why get baptized?

Because Christ commands it. “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.” (Matthew 28:19)

When should a person get baptized?

As soon as possible after accepting Christ as Savior. In Acts 16:33, the Philippian jailer was baptized quickly, sometime after midnight. Even Paul was baptized before he ate, having gone without food or water for three days (Acts 9:9,18,19). These and other examples show us that we should not put off getting baptized if we want to be obedient children of God.

Why should a person get baptized?

The definition (“to place into”) and examples from Scripture show us that the method used was total submersion. About Christ’s baptism, Mark says, “As Jesus was coming up out of the water” (Mark 1:10a). In Acts 8:38, 39, both Philip and the Ethiopian got out of the chariot and went into the water and come out. It is recorded that John the Baptist baptized “at Aenon near Salim, because there was plenty of water” (Acts 3:23).

What about infant baptism?

In the New Testament, baptism always involved individuals who had already made an independent decision to accept Christ (e.g. Acts 8:12, “both men and women”). However, at Grace Community, parents have the opportunity to participate in a ceremony to dedicate their children to bring them up in the ways of the Lord.

Is baptism a requirement for salvation?

No. Baptism cannot save anyone (Ephes. 2:8,9). However, it is a requirement for being an obedient follower of Jesus Christ.

What if I have not been baptized?

Take some time to re-read the Bible passages listed above and then ask God what He wants you to do. Baptism by immersion (after becoming a Christian) is a requirement for membership at Grace Community Church. [Exemptions to this requirement are made for health reasons.] Please call the church office for the date of the next baptism. God bless you!

Want to sign up for an upcoming baptism?  Click here