Please read ALL of the information on water baptism below before filling out the registration form on the bottom. For more information, please feel free to contact us!
I am absolutely thrilled that you have decided to follow the Lord in this very important step in your life. Water Baptism isn’t just another religious ritual; it is an important part of your life and testimony for Christ. We are proud of you!
-Pastor Tom Turner
About Water Baptism
Why?
…”GO INTO ALL THE WORLD AND PREACH THE GOSPEL TO EVERY CREATURE. HE WHO BELIEVES AND IS BAPTIZED WILL BE SAVED; BUT HE WHO DOES NOT BELIEVE WILL BE CONDEMNED.
MARK 16:15-16
JESUS CAME AND SPOKE TO THEM, SAYING, “ALL AUTHORITY HAS BEEN GIVEN TO ME IN HEAVEN AND ON EARTH. GO THEREFORE AND MAKE DISCIPLES OF ALL THE NATIONS, BAPTIZING THEM IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER AND OF THE SON AND OF THE HOLY SPIRIT, TEACHING THEM TO OBSERVE ALL THINGS THAT I HAVE COMMANDED YOU; AND LO, I AM WITH YOU ALWAYS, EVEN TO END OF THE AGE.
MATTHEW 28:18-20
These Scriptures from the Bible tell us of Jesus’ last instructions to His disciples before He ascended to Heaven. Last instructions are often some of the most important words someone wants to communicate. Water Baptism is first and foremost obedience to the command of Christ Jesus. He Himself was baptized, setting an example for us to follow.
THEN JESUS CAME FROM GALILEE TO JOHN AT THE JORDAN TO BE BAPTIZED BY HIM. AND JOHN TRIED TO PREVENT HIM, SAYING, “I NEED TO BE BAPTIZED BY YOU, AND ARE YOU COMING TO ME?” BUT JESUS SAID TO HIM, “PERMIT IT TO BE SO NOW, FOR THUS IT IS FITTING FOR US TO FULFILL ALL RIGHTEOUSNESS.” THEN HE ALLOWED HIM.
MATTHEW 3:13-15
Water Baptism should be done in obedience to God’s Word. The act itself is an outward sign, or testimony, of an inward work in your life. You do something when you go down into the water which shows to other believers and also the world, that you are following Jesus with your life.
OR DO YOU NOT KNOW THAT AS MANY OF US AS WERE BAPTIZED INTO CHRIST JESUS WERE BAPTIZED INTO HIS DEATH? THEREFORE WE WERE BURIED WITH HIM THROUGH BAPTISM INTO DEATH, THAT JUST AS CHRIST WAS RAISED FROM THE DEAD BY THE GLORY OF THE FATHER, EVEN SO WE ALSO SHOULD IN THE NEWNESS OF LIFE.
ROMANS 6:3-4
Water Baptism is a living picture you paint in your life of what Jesus did in His death, burial, and resurrection. After you have been baptized, you will be able to relate, in a sense, to what He has done for you by symbolically doing it yourself.
How?
WHEN HE HAD BEEN BAPTIZED, JESUS CAME IMMEDIATELY FROM THE WATER; AND BEHOLD, THE HEAVENS WERE OPENED TO HIM, AND HE SAW THE SPIRIT OF GOD DESCENDING LIKE A DOVE AND ALIGHTING UPON HIM.
MATTHEW 3:16
SO HE COMMANDED THE CHARIOT TO STAND STILL. AND BOTH PHILIP AND THE EUNUCH WENT DOWN INTO THE WATER, AND HE BAPTIZED HIM. NOW WHEN THEY CAME UP OUT OF THE WATER, THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD CAUGHT PHILIP AWAY…
ACTS 8:38-39A
THEREFORE WE WERE BURIED WITH HIM THROUGH BAPTISM INTO DEATH…
ROMANS 6:4A
Webster defines bury as “to hide or to cover.” Only immersion fulfills this definition. The definition of the Greek word used here (baptizo) is “to make fully wet.” In other words, you need to be fully immersed.
When?
THEN THOSE WHO GLADLY RECEIVED HIS WORD WERE BAPTIZED; AND THAT DAY ABOUT THREE THOUSAND SOULS WERE ADDED TO THEM.
ACTS 2:41
BUT WHEN THEY BELIEVED PHILIP AS HE PREACHED THE THINGS CONCERNING THE KINGDOM OF GOD AND THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST, BOTH MEN AND WOMEN WERE BAPTIZED.
ACTS 8:12
THEN THEY SPOKE THE WORD OF THE LORD TO HIM AND TO ALL WHO WERE IN HIS HOUSE. AND HE TOOK THEM THE SAME HOUR OF THE NIGHT AND WASHED THEIR STRIPES. AND IMMEDIATELY HE AND ALL HIS FAMILY WERE BAPTIZED.
ACTS 16:32-33
Water Baptism should be the first step of faith you take after being born again. It is a decision of faith on your part to live for Jesus the rest of your life.
Don’t put it off. If you have been saved for some time-one year, twenty years or even more-and you have not yet been baptized, you still need to follow the Lord’s command in this.
Remember that His instructions for you have not changed. You will be blessed as you follow the Lord’s instructions, no matter how long it has been since you received salvation!
Water Baptism Guidelines
• Meet in the Host’s Room 10 minutes prior to service time.
• Come dressed in the clothes in which you wish to baptized.
• Wear dark-colored clothes that cover your whole body.
• Wear a full set of undergarments.
• Be sure to bring a change of clothes, including underwear.
• Bring something in which to put your wet clothes.
• Bring a towel and other personal items for use after baptism (hairdryer, makeup, etc.)
Any baptismal candidate who does not follow these instructions will be asked to wait until the next baptism service.