WATER BAPTISM
I HAVE DECIDED
Water baptism is the first biblical step after Salvation. If you are a follower of Jesus Christ, we encourage you to sign up to be water baptized and to invite your friends and family to celebrate with us.
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What is Water Baptism?
1. It illustrates Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection.
“Christ died for our sins…was buried…and rose again.” 1 Corinthians 15:3-4
“For when you were baptized, you were buried with Christ, and in baptism you were also raised with Christ.” Colossians 2:12
2. It illustrates 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 Corinthians 5:16
“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 life a new life!” Romans 6:4
3. Baptism doesn’t make you a believer. It shows that you already believe. Baptism does not “save” you—only your faith in Christ does that. Baptism is like a wedding ring – it’s the outward symbol of the commitment you make in your heart.
“For it is by grace you are saved, through faith. It is a gift of God – not by works so that no one can boast” Ephesians 2:8, 9
Why Get Baptized?
1. Jesus was baptized that way.
“As soon as Jesus was baptized, He went up out of the water” Matthew 3:16
2. Every baptism in the Bible was by immersion.
“...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 is best symbolized as a burial and resurrection.
Who Should Get Baptized?
Every person who believes in Christ.
“Those who believe and accepted His message were baptized… “ Acts 2:4
“Simon... 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
Can My Child Be Baptized?
We will baptize anyone seven and older who understands the meaning of water baptism and wants to make that personal public declaration. We encourage any parents to partner with our Kids and Youth ministries to guide your children through these decisions of faith.
Can My Infant Be Baptized?
Throughout the New Testament, the Bible teaches that baptism is a public expression of worship symbolizing the new life we have when we follow Jesus. 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. At Mountain Life Church we encourage parents to make that commitment by participating in Child Dedication. 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. The custom of baptizing infants 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.
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