Baptism: The action of baptism is expressed in the New Testament with the Greek verb baptizo and its derivatives, which mean to immerse in water, submerge, or wash with water.

 • Baptism: Represents the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ (Romans 6:1-4). We enter the water, and the old self is dying; we are submerged, as if being buried, but when we come out of the water, we emerge renewed and transformed into a new creature. 

• It is the public declaration that we belong to the Lord Jesus Christ (just as Paul declared, "I no longer live, but Christ lives in me").
• It is the moment when one publicly declares the decision made to follow Christ.
• It is an outward declaration of what has occurred inwardly.
• We publicly declare the decision we have privately made to serve God.
• We publicly declare to Satan that we belong to Christ. You no longer have ownership, Satan; we now belong to Christ.
• This is similar to when someone becomes a citizen of the USA.

Why Baptize in Water?
1). We want to obey the command given to the disciples by the Lord Jesus Christ before ascending to heaven (Matthew 28:19-20).

2). It is an ordinance that the Early Church obeyed and promoted (Acts 2:38-41).
3). It is one of the two ordinances practiced by the church (the Lord's Supper and Baptism).
4). It brings great benefits to our spiritual life. We see that people who were baptized in water received the Holy Spirit. We baptize in the way Jesus ordered in Matthew 28:19-20, in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

Who Should we Baptize?
Adults; or Children Who can TRULY understand the decision they are making.

Peter tells them to repent and be baptized.
These are the steps and requirements to reach Baptism.
1). We hear the gospel.
2). We believe in Jesus Christ.

3). We repent and accept Christ.
4). We get baptized.

Question:
"I had a non-biblical baptism. Should I get baptized again?"
Response: The Bible is very clear about baptism. There are two points that we all need to understand.
(1) Baptism should take place after a person has received Jesus Christ as Savior, trusting only in Him for salvation.
(2) Baptism should be by immersion. The word "baptize" literally means "to plunge/dip into water". Baptism by immersion is the only method of baptism that adequately illustrates what baptism symbolizes—believers dying, being buried with Christ, and being raised to a new life (Romans 6:3-4).

Keeping those two key points in mind, what about those who had a non-biblical baptism? For greater clarity, let's also divide them into two categories.

First, those who were baptized before becoming Christians. Common examples of this include those who were baptized as infants, and those who were baptized later but did not truly know Jesus as their Savior at the time of baptism. In these cases, yes, such a person definitely needs to be baptized again. Again, the Bible reveals that baptism is done after salvation. The symbolism of baptism is lost if a person has not truly experienced salvation by faith in Jesus Christ.

Second, those who were baptized after having faith in Christ, but with a method other than immersion. This issue is a bit more difficult. It could be argued that such a person was not truly baptized. If the method was sprinkling or pouring, it does not fit with the basic definition of baptism, "immersion". However, the Bible does not mention anywhere a case of someone being 'baptized' but not immersed. The matter, then, must be decided on an individual level. A believer who has been baptized in a non-biblical manner should seek wisdom from the Lord (James 1:5). If the believer's conscience is not sure, it would be better to be baptized again biblically to reassure the conscience (Romans 14:23).


Do you want to get baptized? Click here.
Baptisms will take place on the 4th Sunday of the month.