For most, baptism is the first public step of obedience to Christ. Baptism is for the individual who has received the saving benefits of Christ’s atoning work and has become His disciple. Therefore, in obedience to Christ’s command and as a testimony to God, the church, oneself and the world, a believer should be baptized in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Water baptism is a visual and symbolic demonstration of a person’s union with Christ in the likeness of His death and resurrection. It signifies that his former way of life has been put to death and vividly depicts a person’s release from the mastery of sin. theGAHTERING and First Euless practice and teaches “believer’s baptism.”
The following are some Frequently Asked Questions regarding believer’s baptism:
Why is baptism such a big deal?
So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven” Matthew 10.32
Who is baptized?
- Someone who has become a believer by trusting Jesus as Savior
- Someone who understands that baptism is a picture of what Christ has done in their life
- Someone who is not ashamed to publicly follow Jesus’ example
Why should I be baptized?
- Jesus tells you to: “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them…” Matthew 28.19Baptism is your first step towards following the Lord. Jesus did it (Mark 1.9) and His followers do too (Acts 2.41; 8.38).
- Baptism is a picture of dying to your old way of life and being born-again, raised to a 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 newness of life.” Romans 6.4
- Baptism shows others that you have received Christ: “So those who received his word were baptized…” Acts 2.41
How is baptism done?
- Going down into water: Acts 8.38; John 3.23
- Being “buried” in the water and then raised from it: Romans 6.4; Colossians 2.12
- Coming out of the water: Mark 1.10; Acts 8.39
Where would I be baptized?
Fellow Christians should publicly baptize believers in front of other followers of Christ. Baptism can happen at any public place when a group of believers come together. So, a worship service is the perfect place to be baptized.
When would I be baptized?
- As is the case in the New Testament, people should follow-through with baptism as soon as they have trusted Jesus as their savior: Acts 2.41; 8.36; 16.14-15, 33
- Because it’s done after someone becomes a believer, it’s called Believer’s baptism.
What if I just want to wait for a little while?
Philip shared Christ with a man from Ethiopia in Acts 8.36. After the man accepted the Lord he wanted to stop and be baptized right away. If you’ve accepted Jesus then you should ask yourself the same question the Ethiopian asked “What prevents me from being baptized?”
When I’m baptized, does that make me a member of your church?
Once you’ve experienced believer’s baptism you can be a member of our church.
Do I need to be baptized again?
Believers are only baptized once. As long as you’ve been biblically baptized (that is, after you trust in Jesus, by immersion, in front of fellow believers, by fellow believers, and you understood what it meant) you would not need to be baptized again.
For more information regarding baptism please contact share@firsteuless.com or give us a call at 817.267.3313 x330 today.
