Water Baptism

Pastor Ron Swor

Dear Church Family,
One of the most exciting aspects of this season is the opportunity to assist people in the act of Water Baptism. It is such an important part of our walk of faith in Jesus. Here’s why:
1. Water baptism is a public declaration of our faith in Jesus Christ as the Savior and Lord of our lives.  It is one of the first steps of faith and obedience we should take in our Christian life.  In Matthew 28:19-20 Jesus commanded us to . . .
“Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.  And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” 
 2. Water baptism is also a dramatic demonstration of the Gospel.  When we receive Christ as our personal Savior, the Bible teaches us that we are united with Him in His death, burial, and resurrection.  This means that our old life has ended, and our new life as a child of God and disciple of Jesus Christ has begun. 2 Corinthians 5:17 says:
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!”
3.  This is why we baptize by immersion.  When I lower a Christian into the water, this represents their union with Christ in His death.  When I raise them out of the water, this demonstrates their union with Christ in His resurrection to live a new life with Him.  As Romans 6:3-4 says:
“All of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death. 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.”
I can’t overstate it. If you haven’t yet been baptized in water, I strongly encourage you to take that step right away. We will be baptizing in water at each of our Easter Services Click here to sign up, then one of our pastors will contact you. Thank you for having the courage and commitment to take that next step in obedience to Jesus Christ.
He is risen!