As we enter into the waters or watch another do so, we are reminded that Christ was crucified and raised from the dead and that we, too, have died to the old self in order to live for Christ.
As a symbol, baptism illustrates a number of significant realities.
Christ's Death and Resurrection
"For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve."
1 Corinthians 15:3-5
1 Corinthians 15:3-5
Our Union with Christ in His Death and Resurrection
"In Him also you were circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead."
Colossians 2:11-12
Colossians 2:11-12
Our New Life
"We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in the newness of life."
Romans 6:4
Romans 6:4
Cleansing and Washing Away of Sin
"But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin."
1 John 1:7
1 John 1:7
Baptism is not merely a responsibility but also a privilege. We have the opportunity to evidence our trust in and love for our King through obedience in this sacrament. If we think of baptism as a mere burden, we have not properly understood the joy of following Christ in the call to be baptized. We should have a similar response as the Ethiopian eunuch who, when he believed the gospel, proclaimed in Acts 8:37, "What prevents me from being baptized?" It should be our joy, and we should eagerly anticipate our participation in the ordinance.
And Jesus came and said to them, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age."
Matthew 28:18-30
WHO SHOULD BE BAPTIZED?
At Life Community, we practice what is called believer's baptism. This means we only baptize those who believe the gospel and profess Jesus as their Lord and Savior. As we read through the Bible, baptism is always related to repentance and believing and receiving God's word and His Spirit. In other words, getting baptized is the outward sign of an inward desire to repent of all you are apart from Christ and believe in everything God is for you in Jesus Christ.
"And Peter said to them, "Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit...So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls."
Acts 2:38, 41
"But when they believed Philip as he preached good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women."
Acts 8:12
"Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life."
Romans 6:3-4
Acts 2:38, 41
"But when they believed Philip as he preached good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women."
Acts 8:12
"Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life."
Romans 6:3-4
“He breathed life into me I didn’t have before. I had always felt inadequate and not enough for people, but I’m enough for Him. And today my focus is on him solely. Because if I focus on other things/people my life starts to seem chaotic and messy. He’s given me a sense of peace I have never had before. During times of struggle I go to him.”
- Mia
“With God’s grace and forgiveness I was changed. I now had hope and freedom I never had before. I started to not only live my life, but I was living the life God planned for me. With one step at a time, I now have faith and a new freedom that no matter what has happened, no matter what will happen, God is with me. With God’s grace and love, I have freedom I can't explain.”
- Justin
“My God time each morning prepares me to get through the day. I’m learning to change my disordered thought patterns and reinforce the truths that God has revealed to us in His word. I am very much aware of my sin now and that’s hard too, but I know God still loves me. And I know I’m not alone anymore and I am so grateful.”
- Michelle
Follow Jesus INto The Waters Of Baptism
If you would like to get baptized, register for our next Basic course. If you have already completed Basic, complete the baptism form below, and we will follow up with you.