WHAT IS WATER BAPTISM?
Water baptism is an important step of obedience that shows others we have personally trusted Jesus for our salvation. Jesus was baptized when He was on the earth, and we follow His example. When Christians are baptized, they are submerged under water to identify with the death and burial of Jesus and raised out of the water to identify with His resurrection.
A PUBLIC DECLARATION
Water baptism is a public declaration of three important things: you are a follower of Jesus Christ, you are beginning a changed life in Christ, and you are part of a new family.
TAKE YOUR NEXT STEP
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FAQ'S
It illustrates Christ´s burial and resurrection.
“Christ died for our sins… He was buried… and He rose again.” — 1 Cor. 15:3-4
“For when you were baptized, you were buried with Christ, and in baptism you were also raised with Christ.” —Col. 2:12
It illustrates my 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 Cor. 5:17
“By our baptism then, we were buried with Him and shared His death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead…so also we may live a new life!” — Rom. 6:4
Baptism doesn’t bring us into a relationship with Christ, only faith does that. Baptism is like a wedding ring — it is the outward symbol of the commitment you make in your heart.
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith… it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.” — Ephesians 2:8-9
Because Jesus was baptized that way.
“As soon as Jesus was baptized, He went up out of the water.” — Matt. 3:16
Every baptism in the Bible was by immersion. For example:
“…then both Philip and the man went down into the water and Philip baptized him. When they came up out of the water…” — Acts 8:38-39.
The word Baptize means “To dip under water.”
The Greek work, Baptizo, means “To immerse or dip under water.”
It best symbolizes a burial and resurrection!
Every person who has believed in Christ.
“Those who believe and accepted His message were baptized…” —Acts 2:41
“Simon himself believed and was baptized…” —Acts 8:13
“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
At Aylmer Full Gospel we wait until our children are old enough to believe and understand the true meaning of baptism before we baptize them.
In the Bible, we see that Jesus’ parents dedicated him to the Lord (Luke 2:22–40), and he was later baptized as an adult (Matthew 3:16–17).
We understand that some churches practice “baptism of confirmation” for children. This ceremony is intended to be a commitment between the parents and God on the behalf of the child. The parents promise to raise their child in the faith until the child is old enough to make his or her own personal confession of Christ. This custom began about 300 years after the Bible was completed and is different from the biblical examples of new believers being baptized to publicly profess their faith in Jesus.
So at Aylmer Full Gospel, we provide opportunities for child dedication and believer’s baptism.
If your child has further questions about baptism we suggest that you partner with our Children’s Pastor to guide them through these decisions of faith.
To follow the example set by Christ.
“At that time Jesus came from Nazareth and was baptized by John in the river.” — Mark 1:9
Because Christ commands it.
“Jesus said, ‘Go then, to all people everywhere and make them my disciples, baptize them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and then teach them to obey everything I have commanded you.’” — Matt. 28: 19-20
It demonstrates that I really am a believer.
“… many of the people who heard Him believed and were baptized.” — Acts 18:8,
“We know that we have come to know Him, if we obey His commands.” — 1 John 2:3