What We Believe About Baptism
What
Baptism is an outward symbol that a person has entered into a relationship with Jesus Christ. It symbolizes what has taken place inwardly at the time of our salvation.
Why
Once a person admits that he or she is a sinner and turns to Christ for salvation, the Bible says that a person should proclaim the life change that has occurred: the watching world needs to know. Baptism has always stood as a kind of public testimony for people who have moved from being a seeker to being a believer.
Who
Believers are those who have realized their sin has separated them from God. They have given up all efforts to reach God through good works or religious activity. They have concluded that Jesus Christ’s death on the cross for their sins is the only thing that can bridge the gap between them and God. A believer is someone who has decided to trust Christ alone for his or her salvation.
If you have come to this point in your spiritual journey, then you are ready to be baptized. Just as a bride and groom tell of their love for one another through the symbol of rings, you should also want to show the world, through baptism, of your union with Christ.
How
We baptize by immersion at Grace because we believe Scripture shows that Jesus modeled that for us as the means for professing our faith in Him. However, the method of water is not the focus, but rather the state of the heart at the time of baptism. Other methods, such as sprinkling, in another church do "count" if the person had accepted Christ before that point, and he/she knew that he was making a public profession of his acceptance of Christ as his personal Savior. A person has not been baptized (as Scripture explains it) if he has only been christened as an infant or as a child before entering a personal relationship with Jesus.
How to Be Baptized At Grace
We are excited that you have chosen to be baptized and want to help make this a wonderful celebration of your profession of faith in Jesus Christ.
At Grace, there are several venue options available at different times for your baptism:
Sunday a.m. in Worship Center—Share your story with the Body of Grace during one of our morning services via a videotaped testimony prior to your baptism. This is a wonderful opportunity to invite friends and family to the service and to celebrate your public profession of Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior!
Celebrate Baptism!—Invite friends and family to celebrate with you and others being baptized at Grace. Typically held on a Sunday afternoon or evening, you will share your testimony live and enjoy music, worship, fellowship, and food together.
Small Group Baptisms—Share the joy of your journey with Christ in a smaller setting. Held at a swimming pool, this is a wonderful way to celebrate the work of Christ in you with a gathering of your friends, family, and perhaps small group.
Ready to Be Baptized?
Please complete the online registration form. You will then be contacted to schedule a meeting with a baptism coach. This is a great time to answer any questions you may have, and to share your testimony prior to your baptism.
Still Unsure?
- Spend some time in prayer asking God to help you grasp His heart on baptism.
- Listen to baptism messages by Mark Norman.
- Feel free to contact us as 240-553-1090 with any questions or concerns. We want to help you in any way possible as you walk through this process toward your baptism celebration!
Biblical Passages about Baptism
Our Acceptance of Jesus Christ As Lord and Savior
John 3:16—For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
John 14:6—Jesus answered, "I am the way the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."
Our Being Symbolically Washed Clean, Our Sins Being Forgiven By His Death on The Cross
Acts 8:34-38—The eunuch asked Philip, "Tell me please, who is the prophet talking about, himself or someone else?" Then Philip began with that very passage of Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus. 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?" … Philip said, “If you believe with all your heart, you may." The eunuch answered, "I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God." Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and Philip baptized him.
Sharing In His Death & Resurrection Illustrated By Going Under The Water, Dead To Our Old Life, Then Rising Again In New Life
Romans 6:3-5—Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. If we have been united with him like this in his death, we will certainly also be united with him in his resurrection.
Our Public Identification as Followers Of Christ
Matthew 28:19-20—"…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."
Acts 2:38-41—Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins…” Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.
Acts 8:12—But when they believed Philip as he preached the good news of the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.