BAPTISM
What is baptism?
Baptism is an outward sign of an inward change. “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” (2 Corinthians 5:17) It involves applying water to the Christian which symbolizes their death to the old way of life (Romans 6:3-4), and then the breaking free from water which symbolizes the new life God provides them (Galatians 3:26-27). Baptism, a sacramental “means of grace,” seals one’s intention to follow God but it is not an act of salvation that takes away one’s sins (Acts 2:37-41, 8:35-39, 10:44-48).
I baptize you in the
name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Why get baptized?
The main purpose of baptism is to declare one’s faith in Christ and their commitment to follow him. It is also a way for you to seal what Christ has done in your heart by taking an action step that all will see (Colossians 2:12-14). Being baptized is meant to be a celebration of new life and a recognition of what Christ has done! Lastly, members of the early church, including Jesus, all took this step. So, it only seems appropriate that it would be a believer’s next step today (Acts 8:36).
How does baptism work?
The Bible never defines how much water was applied or how. Therefore, the Church of the Nazarene considers immersion, sprinkling, and pouring all to be acceptable methods of baptism. The HOW does not seem to be as important as the WHAT and the WHY according to scripture. The only thing that is absolutely clear is that it is a step that Jesus himself took and so should we!
Click the button below if you’re ready to take that next step in your walk with Christ!
