MISSION Community Church

Baptism is an outward expression of an inward commitment made to Christ. Baptism does not make you a believer - it shows that you already believe. Baptism does not "save" you, only your faith in Christ does that.

"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

Baptism does not wash away your sins - it symbolizes that Christ washed them away. Baptism is like a wedding ring - it's the outward expression of the commitment you made in your heart.

Matthew 28:19-20 says:

"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.'"

People who have become disciples or followers of Jesus Christ should be baptized.

"Those who believed and accepted His message were baptized..." Acts 2:41

"But when they believed Philip as he preached the Good News...and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. Simon himself believed and was baptized." Acts 8:12-13

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. To obey Christ's command:

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

3. To show I am a Christ follower:

"...many of the people who heard Him believed and were baptized." Acts 18:8

"We know that we have come to know Him, if we obey His commands." 1 John 2:3

"Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heaven." Matthew 10:32

4. To identify with Christ's death, burial and resurrection:

"Or don't you know that 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. If we have been united with him like this in his death, we will certainly also be united with him in his resurrection." Romans 6:3-5

5. To illustrate my new life to Christ:

"When someone becomes a Christian he becomes a brand new person inside. The old life has passed away and a new has begun!" 2 Corinthians 5:17

"By our baptism then, we were buried with Him and shared His death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead...so also we may live a new life!" Romans 6:4

In summary, our baptism is a public testimony of our faith in Christ and our commitment to Him.

The Biblical examples of baptism were done by immersion or being submerged briefly under water.

1. Jesus was baptized by immersion:

"As soon as Jesus was baptized, He went up out of the water." Matthew 3:16

2. The book of Acts is full of examples of baptism by immersion:

"...then both Philip and the man went down into the water and Philip baptized him. When they came up out of the water..." Acts 8:38-39

Words such as "went down into the water" and "out of the water" give evidence that Biblical baptism was by immersion.

3. Immersion best symbolizes death and new life, which is the imagery of baptism. In Romans 6:3-5 we find that baptism is symbolic of death, burial and resurrection:

"Or don't you know that 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. If we have been united with him like this in his death, we will certainly also be united with him in his resurrection.6 For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin–" 

1. After you give your life to Christ:

"Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins." Acts 2:38

2. Soon after we have given our life to Christ:

"Then Philip began with that very passage of Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus. As they traveled along the road, they came to some water and the eunuch said, 'Look, here is water. Why shouldn't I be baptized?' And he gave orders to stop the chariot. Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and Philip baptized him." Acts 35-38

As soon as you have given your life to Christ and received him as your savior, you can and should be baptized. Excluding health problems, there is no reason to delay. If you wait until you're "perfect", you'll never feel "good enough". Jesus asks you to follow Him in baptism now.

Some churches practice a "baptism of confirmation" for children. This ceremony is intended to be a covenant 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/her own personal confession of Christ. This custom began about 300 years after the Bible was completed.

This is different from the practice of baptism we see in the Bible which was done by those who had made a personal decision for Christ. For this reason, we reserve baptism for those who are old enough to understand and choose to make a personal commitment to Christ.

To not confuse the purpose and intent of baptism, at MISSION a "child dedication" service is available to parents as a ceremony of covenant between parents and God on the behalf of the child. In many ways a "child dedication" service is truly a "parent dedication" service, as parents publicly declare to raise their child in the faith until the child is old enough to make his/her own personal confession of Christ.

If you desire to dedicate yourself and your child to God please click here to get started. A child dedication service is held about once a quarter during weekend services.

We are called to only once give a profession of our faith in Christ through baptism. If you have already been baptized by immersion in response to your faith and commitment to Christ we do not ask you to be baptized again.

If you were baptized prior to faith in Christ we ask you to consider the Bible's teachings and follow Christ in baptism. If you have questions we invite you to contact us or approach/contact your small group leader or a pastor.

The Bible gives no age for when a child is ready to be baptized. For baptism to be a meaningful experience and expression of faith, its significance should be understood. Our desire is for a child to understand this important step of baptism in their life.

In a child's development it is often the age of 8 or 9 that a child gains the ability to understand abstract concepts. It is at this stage in a child's development that they gain the ability to understand imagery such as concepts involved in baptism representing our spiritual death, burial and resurrection. That being said, each baptism should be determined on a child-by-child basis. Children who wish to be baptized are asked to complete a one-hour baptism class with the attendance of his/her parent(s).

At the beginning of a baptism service the pastor will pray and then briefly explain the meaning of baptism. The pastor will introduce you and the other participants and each person being baptized will either answer a couple questions about their relationship with Jesus or share their story of faith in Jesus. This is often done live on site but sometimes is previously recorded and shown on video.

When it is your turn to be baptized, you will get into the water with the person(s) who will baptize you. The person(s) baptizing you will say, "I baptize you in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit". The person(s) baptizing you will briefly lower you back under the water and then raise you back up. You can then leave the pool, towel off and watch others being baptized.

Note: For baptism, women should wear shorts and a dark t-shirt top over a swimming suit. Men may wear a swimsuit of shorts with a dark t-shirt. Don't forget to bring a change of clothes, a towel, and bag for your wet clothes.

Baptism is a public profession of our faith in Jesus Christ. However, private baptism can be performed in special circumstances. Please contact us for more information or details.