WHY WE BAPTIZE
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 (Romans 10:9) the watching world needs to know. Baptism has always stood as a kind of public testimony for people who have moved from being unsaved to being a believer in Jesus Christ.
Believers are those who have realized that 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. Let the miracle that has happened in you show through the ordinance we call baptism. Not only does Baptism publicly show that you are a Christian, but it also welcomes you into God’s family, the Church, or the body of Christ!
BIBLICAL PASSAGES:
In Matthew 28:19–20, Jesus commands his followers to "go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit…" Baptism is the means by which followers of Christ are identified.
In passages such as Acts 2:41, 8:12 and 10:47–48, it is evident that Baptism follows an individual's decision to trust Christ alone for salvation. The New Testament records the Baptisms of believers in Jesus Christ only. Baptism was never intended to provide salvation for an individual, but rather to publicly identify a person with Christ. In Romans 6:1–11, the apostle Paul explains how the immersion mode of Baptism identifies the believer with the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Going under the water represents Christ's death and coming out of the water illustrates His resurrection.
WHAT YOU WILL NEED:
You are advised to wear a dark shirt, swim trunks, pants, or shorts and slip off shoes. Clothing made of material that retains minimum amounts of water is recommended. Ladies, we encourage you to wear a one-piece bathing suit under your dark t-shirt. Please wear these clothes to the service and bring a change of clothing for afterward. Please bring a towel to dry off with. Why We Baptize pdf
To register, please complete and submit the Baptism/Baby Dedication Request Form by the Sunday prior to event.