BAPTISM

Those who are baptized are following Jesus’ example and obeying His command. After you have made the decision to commit your life to Jesus, baptism is your next step! When you step into the water, you are letting the world know of your new commitment of faith in Jesus. Here at Impact City Church, every baptism is a celebration!

“As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, ‘This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.’” —Matthew 3:16-17

When we go under the water, it symbolizes Christ’s death and the surrender of our old sinful ways. When we come back out of the water, it symbolizes Christ’s resurrection and our new life in Him! Baptism itself does not wash away sin; it’s only Christ’s sacrifice on the cross and our surrendering to Him that saves us.

Water baptism is a public declaration of three very important things:

A. You are a follower of Jesus Christ.

“Those who accepted his message were baptized.” —Acts 2:41

B. You are beginning a changed life in Christ.

“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.” —Romans 6:4

C. You are part of a new family.

“So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.” —Galatians 3:26–27

Your baptism should have signified you becoming a follower of Jesus, 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.

In Scripture, a believer’s baptism is reserved for those who are old enough to make their own faith decision to become a Christ-follower. Every baptism in the Bible came after a person’s decision to follow Jesus. Here at Impact City Church, a child may participate in baptism if they are at least eight years old.

Throughout the New Testament, the Bible teaches that baptism is a public expression of worship symbolizing the new life we have when we follow Jesus. In the Bible we see that Jesus’ parents dedicated him to the Lord (Luke 2:22–40), and he was later baptized as an adult (Matthew 3:16–17).

We understand that some churches practice “baptism of confirmation” for children. This ceremony is intended to be a commitment 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 or her own personal confession of Christ. This custom began about 300 years after the Bible was completed and is different from the biblical examples of new believers being baptized to publicly profess their faith in Jesus.

So, at Impact City Church, we provide opportunities for child dedication and believer’s baptism. We will announce our next Child Dedication Sunday during our weekly announcements. Be listening out for the date and details.