• It’s an outward expression of our inward faith.

  • 2 Corinthians 5:17 “This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!” (NLT)

• It’s symbolic of Christ death, burial, and resurrection

  • 1 Corinthians 15:3-4 - “I passed on to you what was most important and what had also been passed on to me. Christ died for our sins, just as the Scriptures said. He was buried, and he was raised from the dead on the third day, just as the Scriptures said.”

Baptism doesn’t make you a believer, it shows that you already are!

• Jesus commanded it!

  • Matthew 28:19 - “Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and the Son and the Holy Spirit. (NLT)

• Jesus was baptized and we should follow His example!

  • Mark 1:9 - “One day Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee, and John baptized him in the Jordan River.”

• We should also follow this example set by the early church!

  • Acts 18:8 - “Crispus, the leader of the synagogue, and everyone in his household believed in the Lord. Many others in Corinth also heard Paul, became believers, and were baptized.”

  • Acts 2:37-38 - “Peter’s Words pierced their herats, and they said to him and to the other apostles, “Brothers, what should we do?” 38Peter replied, “Each of you must repent of your sins and turn to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins.”

  • Acts 2:41 Those who believed what Peter said were baptized and added to the church that day - about 3,000 in all.

• That’s how Jesus was baptized!

  • Matthew 3:16 “After his baptism, as Jesus cape up out of the water, the heavens were opened and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and settling on him.”

• Every baptism we see in Scripture was by full immersion!

• Being fully immersed and coming up is the best symbolic picture we have to the burial of a person’s old life and the resurrection of a new life that lives in Christ!

  • Romans 6:4 - “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.”

• What if I was baptized as an infant?

  • Infant baptism is actually the decision of someone else for you, and not your decision. We believe that all believers should choose to be baptized after they have put their faith in Jesus Christ.

• Can my family be baptized together?

  • Sure! If each family member has placed their faith in Jesus Christ, we encourage families to be baptized together. What an incredible way to express your commitment to God as a family unit!

• Will I have to say anything?

  • You don’t have to, but you may if you would like. Some like to offer God praise, others like to thank specific individuals who have played a crucial role in their spiritual lives. Still others do all of the above, or none of the above!

• What do I need to know for Beach Baptism?

  • If you are being baptized, look for the registration table when you arrive for check-in and instructions.

  • Please wear a one-piece bathing suit under shorts or a dark-colored shirt and shorts that you don't mind getting wet.

  • Please bring a towel and a change of dry clothes, if you wish.