WHAT IS BAPTISM
Baptism is an outward sign of an inward change. It's a public declaration that you have placed your faith and trust in Jesus and, as a result, your life has been changed. Baptism communicates your desire to follow Jesus and allows others to celebrate that decision with you (Acts 16:31-34)!
Baptism is a symbol and celebration of the salvation you have in Jesus (1 Peter 3:21); however, baptism doesn't save you. The same power that raised Jesus from the dead is the same power at work inside us - and that's something to be excited about!
WHY SHOULD I BE BAPTIZED?
Jesus set the example of baptism and instructs us to be baptized in obedience to him (Matthew 28:19-20, Mark 1:9).
Obedience to Jesus shows the world that we believe and follow him (1 John 2:3). Because Jesus went public about his love for us, we will go public about our love for him. Baptism shows our desire to turn away from sin and toward Jesus in full surrender to him.
WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO BE BAPTIZED?
Here at Mission Community Church, we believe baptism is the next step following salvation. Anyone who places his or her faith and trust in Jesus is ready to be baptized (Acts 8:12).
If you've been a Christian for years and haven't yet been baptized, don't let this stop you from taking that next step. Whether a Christian for 1 day or 10 years, it's never too late to be baptized.
DO YOU BAPTIZE CHILDREN?
As parents, we can help point our children to Jesus, but they are the ones to decide if they will commit their lives to Him (Romans 10:9).
Any instance of baptism follows a person’s decision to trust Jesus for his or her salvation and commitment to follow Him (Acts 10:47-48). At Mission Community Church, we wait until children are old enough to express their own decision to follow Jesus and understand the meaning of baptism.
WHAT METHOD OF BAPTISM DO YOU OBSERVE (SUBMERSION, SPRINKLING, OR OTHER)?
Baptisms in the Bible were by immersion, meaning one was completely submerged under water. The original word for baptism most often refers to being immersed or submerged in water. Jesus was baptized by being immersed in the water and rising out of it (Matthew 3:16, Mark 1:10).
Submersion in the water symbolizes the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus (1 Corinthians 15:3-4). Being submersed underwater represents our death to sin and old way of life, and being raised out of the water is a picture of how Jesus raised us and gives us a fresh start in life (Romans 6:3-5).
