Velocity Church - Baptisms

Baptism

Take the Plunge

Baptism is an outward declaration of an inward decision. If you have made the decision to accept Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior then baptism is your next step.

Register Now

Why be baptized?

Expand/Collapse

1. To follow Christ’s example
At that time Jesus came from Nazareth and was baptized by John in the river.  -  Mark 1:9

2. Because Christ commanded it.
Jesus said, “Go then, to all people everywhere and make them my disciples, baptize them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and then teach them to obey everything I have commanded you.." - Matthew 28:19-20

3. Because it shows you are a believer and identify with Christ and the community of other Christ Followers.
...many of the Corinthians who heard him believed and were baptized. - Acts 18:8

4. Because obeying Christ’s command shows you know Him.
We know that we have come to know Him, if we obey His commands. - 1 John 2:3

What is baptism?

Expand/Collapse

1.  It is a symbol of Christ’s burial and resurrection.
For when you were baptized, you were buried with Christ, and in baptism you were also raised with Christ. - Colossians 2:12

2.  It is a symbol of your new life as a Christian.
By our baptism then we were buried with Him and shared His death, in order that just as Christ was raised from the dead also we might live a new life! - Romans 6:4

3. Baptism does not make you a believer; it shows that you already are one!
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 made in your heart. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith. it is the gift of God  not by works, so that no one can boast.  - Ephesians 2:8,9

4.  Baptism is not a requirement for salvation.
Since water baptism is a symbolic picture of what Jesus did for us, it is important to understand that baptism is a follow up to being saved by Christ and not a requirement for salvation.

How we baptize.

Expand/Collapse

1. Jesus was baptized by being immersed in water.
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 under water.
...then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and Philip baptized him. When they came up out of the water...  - Acts 8:38,39

3. The word "Baptize" literally means "to dip under water". The Greek word "baptizo" means "to immerse or dip under water."

4.  It is the best way to picture a burial and resurrection.

Who we baptize.

Expand/Collapse

1. Every person who has made the decision to believe in Christ.
Those who believed and accepted His message were baptized.  - Acts 2:41

2. The one requirement for baptism is belief in Christ! We do not baptize children until they are old enough to understand and believe.

When we baptize.

Expand/Collapse

1. As soon as you have placed your faith in Jesus for salvation. You shouldn’t delay.
Then Peter said to them, "Repent! Stop your wrong ways and turn to God. And then everyone of you can be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Your wrong ways will be forgiven you, and you will receive the Holy Spirit. This promise is for everyone who calls on God even though they are far away." Peter went on talking and teaching the people. "Do not follow the wrong ways of people today." Then those who gladly received his words and believed were baptized. That same day about three thousand new believers joined them. Day by day, the Lord added to the church those who were saved.
- Acts 2:38-41,47 (paraphrase)

There is no reason to delay. As soon as a person places their faith in Christ for salvation from sin, they can and should be baptized.

I have already been baptized. Should I get baptized again?
Your baptism should have signified you becoming a follower of Jesus, repentance from sin, beginning a changed life, and uniting with a new family. If your baptism did not reflect this change of life, then you should be baptized again.