What is the meaning of Baptism?  
~ Water baptism is an external sign of the internal change when a person believes in Jesus Christ.
Titus 3:5 says, 'He (God) saved us, not because of righteous things we have done, but because of His mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Saviour ... ' 
~ Baptism is also a symbol of a person’s union by faith with Christ in His death, burial and resurrection. 
Romans 6:3-5 says, 'have you forgotten that when we became Christians and were baptized to become one with Christ Jesus, we died with Him?  For we died and were buried with Christ by baptism. And just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious power of the Father, now we also may live new lives. Since we have been united with him in his death, we will also be raised as He was.'
~  to dip repeatedly, to immerse, to submerge - these are the meanings for the greek word baptism (bap-tid-zo). 

Who should be baptized?
~ The person who is a believer in Christ is ready for baptism. 
Acts 2:37 talks about the people who heard Peter's sermon: they were cut to the heart. They asked, 'Brothers, what shall we do?'  Peter replied, 'Repent and be baptised…' (v. 38) 'Those who responded and accepted his message were baptised…' (v. 41)  In Acts 8:9 - 13, Philip is preaching in Samaria about Jesus Christ being the 'good news'. In verse 12 it states that 'those who believed in the message were baptised - both men and women.'  A verse later it says a sorcerer believed in the message that Philip was preaching about Jesus Christ and was baptised. In these records, the person first ‘believed’ in Jesus Christ and then was baptized.

When should a Christian be baptized? 
~ There is no reason for delaying baptism. When a person declares trust in Christ, they could be baptized.
Acts 8 is the most detailed example of baptism in the Bible. In verse 26 we see the angel of the Lord sent Philip to an Ethiopian eunuch (the finance man for the Queen of Ethiopia). As Philip travelled to Ethiopia from Jerusalem, he explained to the eunuch 'the good news of Jesus Christ.' Verses 36 - 39 says, 'As they travelled along the road, they came to some water, and the eunuch said, 'Look, here is water. Why shouldn't I be baptised?' And he gave orders to stop the chariot. Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and Philip baptised him. When they came out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord suddenly took Philip away, and the eunuch did not see him again, but went on his way rejoicing.' 

How is a Christian to be baptized?
~ By immersion in water.  
Matthew 3:16 says of Jesus when He was baptised, 'He went up and out of the water.' In Acts 8:38 - 39, Philip and the eunuch both went down into the water, and Philip baptised him. Then they came out of the water ... '

Who to contact if you want more info: 
~ For more information, please download an Application for Baptism and our Booklet on Baptism and You.
~ You may also:
     ~ stop at the Information Center to pick up a Baptism Package
     ~ attend an upcoming Baptism Class
     ~ contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it at the church office