BAPTISM

READY TO TAKE YOUR NEXT STEP?

Good Hope & Hartselle

Sunday

During the 9:45 and 11:15 Services

Madison

Sunday

During the 10:30 AM Service

LEARN MORE ABOUT BAPTISM

WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF WATER BAPTISM?
Through water baptism, we identify with the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus. It’s like saying to the Lord Jesus, “Your death is my deathI no longer have to die for my sins. Your life is my lifeI now have your eternal life, and I will not die for my sins.”
As you are immersed underwater, you bury your old sinful nature. When you come up out of the water, you experience the new life and resurrection that belong to you through Jesus.
WHAT IS THE SIGNIFICANCE OF WATER BAPTISM?

Baptism is a symbol of a covenant and commitment, much like a wedding ring. When a couple marries, they give each other a wedding ring. This ring does not make them married; the promise and covenant they made to each other make them married. The ring is a symbol to others of that promise and covenant they made in their hearts to each other. Like the wedding ring, baptism is a symbol that testifies before God and man of the commitment and covenant a person has made in his hear with Jesus. At the same time, baptism is more than just a symbol. There is a genuine spiritual work that is accomplished in the waters of baptism. According to Colossians 2:11-12, God cuts away our old sin-loving nature from our hearts.

WHO SHOULD BE WATER BAPTIZED?

All those who have committed themselves to Jesus Christ as their Lord, by turning away from sin and trusting in Him, should be baptized. For this reason, we do not baptize babies or children who are too young to make a conscientious decision to follow Christ. While babies may be dedicated to the Lord from birth (1 Samuel 1:21-24), baptism is reserved for believers. Once you have committed yourself to Jesus Christ and acknowledge Him as Lord by turning away from sin and trusting in Him, you are ready for water baptism.

WHY SHOULD I BE WATER BAPTIZED?

Jesus, the creator of the universe, was water baptized (Mark 1:9-11), and He commands all believers to follow His example (Matthew 28:19-20; 1 Peter 2:21). Baptism is an act of confession and identification with Christ. It is a demonstration of your covenant with God and your commitment to Christ.

HOW SHOULD I BE WATER BAPTIZED?

Baptism is to be done by immersion in water because the Greek word “baptize” literally means to immerse or dunk. Jesus was immersed (Matthew 3:13-17), the early church immersed (Acts 2:41), and the New Testament teaches nothing but immersion.

WHEN SHOULD I GET WATER BAPTIZED?

You should get water baptized at your first opportunity after you have received Christ as Lord and Savior (Acts 8:35-39, 16:30-34. 18:8)Baptism occurs at Daystar on the first Sunday of each month after the 11:15 am service at the Good Hope & Hartselle Campuses, and after the 10:30 am service at the Madison Campus.