Getting Baptized
Baptism is an outward expression of an inward decision. It is an important step of obedience that shows others we have personally trusted Jesus for our salvation. Jesus was baptized when He was on the earth, and we do this to follow His example. When Christians are baptized, they are submerged under water to identify with the death and burial of Jesus and raised out of the water to identify with His resurrection.
If you have decided to follow Jesus, we believe that baptism is an important next step in your faith journey. Water baptisms take place each and every Sunday at New Life Church. Please click the link below to register for your water baptism.
The first good reason: Jesus got baptized. When we decide to follow Jesus, our old selves are left behind, and we are made new and alive! Also, being baptized is a public declaration that you are different – you are following Jesus now and are on a journey of change. Finally, it is an act of faith and obedience as Jesus told us to baptize new believers. “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.” (Matthew 28:19-20a)
Water baptism is a symbol of taking the old self – our past and old ways – and burying them when submerged under the water and raised in new life in Christ. “We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.” (Romans 6:4)
Just like Jesus was, we are to be immersed in water. “As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water.” (Matthew 3:16) The word “baptize” comes from the Greek word baptizo which means “to immerse or dip under water”.
Everyone who has made the decision to believe and follow Jesus is encouraged to be baptized right away. “But when they believed Philip as he preached the good news of the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.” (Acts 8:12)
Many believers in the New Testament were baptized the same day they committed their lives to Jesus. As soon as a person decides to believe in Christ, they can be and are encouraged to be baptized.
At New Life, we will baptize anyone over age 6 who understands what baptism symbolizes and wants to make that personal public declaration.
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. 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. This custom 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.
At New Life, we provide opportunities for child dedication and believer's baptism. To schedule a Parent/Child Dedication, offered every other month during a Sunday gathering, sign-up and receive more information, Click Here
For more information about baptisms, email info@nlc.life