NEXT STEPS: BAPTISM – TELLING YOUR STORY

Baptism is a public celebration declaring that I am a Jesus follower and Every baptism is a story! In a sense baptism is the exclamation point of a person’s life story –it’s the beginning of a greater story – a person’s journey with Jesus.

 

Jesus himself told his story through baptism. Jesus’ story was one of an obedient son who was found sinless and well pleasing by God himself. Jesus’ baptism signaled the beginning of a new journey for Jesus – a journey that would eventually lead him to the cross of Calvary.

 

Have you told your story yet? Have you taken your next step in following Jesus through Baptism? Here’s why you should tell your story: Baptism is a public celebration declaring your story as a Jesus follower. Your baptism tells the story of an obedient believer who is unafraid to proclaim their faith in the crucified, buried, and risen savior!

 

Your baptism opens the door for family and friends to learn more about your story. It gives you the opportunity to share with them briefly what your life and story used to be. It gives you the opportunity to share how your story has changed since placing your faith in Jesus. Your family and friends will be curious about and willing to hear your story because you were willing to take the next step – Baptism!

There was an unusual spectacle taking place in a backyard pool on the morning of August 8, 1995. To some it was a baptism using a borrowed pool. Soon a man named “Flip” baptized a woman named Norma.

Norma had ran away from home when she was ten, dropped out of high school at age 14, and married by age 16 and had given birth to 3 children she gave up to adoption by age 21.

 

Her decision to become a follower of Jesus was brought about mostly by a little 7 year old girl that literally loved Norma to Jesus. There she was being baptized – Norma McCorvey – telling her story!

 

Now that name may not mean much to you at first glance. But Norma is famous by a different name – Jane Roe. The same Jane Roe of the Roe V. Wade Supreme Court decision that legalized abortion. Since her decision to receive Christ – her story has changed and she has been involved in rescuing babies from being aborted.

Jesus himself told his story through baptism. Jesus’ story was one of an obedient son who was found sinless and well pleasing by God himself. Jesus’ baptism signaled the beginning of a new journey for Jesus – a journey that would eventually lead him to the cross of Calvary.

 

Have you told your story yet? Have you taken your next step in following Jesus through Baptism? Here’s why you should tell your story:

 

Baptism is a public celebration declaring your story as a Jesus follower. Your baptism tells the story of an obedient believer who is unafraid to proclaim their faith in the crucified, buried, and risen savior!

 

Your baptism opens the door for family and friends to learn more about your story. It gives you the opportunity to share with them briefly what your life and story used to be. It gives you the opportunity to share how your story has changed since placing your faith in Jesus. Your family and friends will be curious about and willing to hear your story because you were willing to take the next step – Baptism!

FAQ’S ABOUT BAPTISM

WHAT IS THE MEANING OF BAPTISM?

It is a symbol of your new life as a Christian.
“When someone becomes a Christian, he becomes a brand new person inside. The old life has passed away and a new life has begun!”               (2 Corinthians 5:12)
Baptism does not 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 made in your heart.
 

HOW ARE WE TO BE BAPTIZED?

Like Jesus was baptized —by being immersed under water. “As soon as Jesus was baptized, He went up out of the water.” (Matthew 3:16)
Every Baptism in the Bible was by immersion under water.
”…Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and Philip baptized him. When they came up out of the water…” (Acts 8:38,39)
The word “Baptize”literally means “to dip under water or immerse”.
WHO SHOULD BE BAPTIZED?
Every person who has made the decision to believe in Christ. “Those who believe and accepted His message were baptized.” (Acts 2:41)

WHO SHOULD BE BAPTIZED?

Every person who has made the decision to believe in Christ. “Those who believe and accepted His message were baptized.” (Acts 2:41)

“But when they believed Philip as he preached the Good News…and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.” (Acts 8:12)

The one requirement for baptism is belief in Christ!

 We do not baptize children until they are old enough to

understand and believe.

WHEN ARE WE TO BE BAPTIZED?
As soon as you have believed! “Those who believed…were baptized that day!” (Acts. 2:41)

There is no reason to delay. As soon as a person decides to believe in Christ, he can and should be baptized.

WHAT ABOUT BEING BAPTIZED TWICE?
Our church recommends that you be baptized again if you have not been baptized by immersion since you became a believer.
It does not devalue a prior experience but simply reflects your desire to be baptized in the same way Jesus was baptized.
CAN MY FAMILY BE BAPTIZED TOGETHER?

 

Yes! If each family member understands fully the meaning of baptism, and each one has personally placed their trust in Christ for salvation, we encourage families to be baptized at the same time.
It is a wonderful expression of commitment.

 

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