What is Baptism?
A public sign of your faith showing your commitment to following Jesus.
Baptism is symbolic of Jesus’ death and resurrection, and a clear command of Jesus for all of His followers. Baptism declares to the world you trust Jesus, and joined God’s family. Baptism itself does not save you. It is a symbolic moment to mark your commitment to follow Jesus. If you have never been baptized after salvation, baptism is your next step. It’s pretty special!
A New Beginning
“The old life is gone, a new life has begun.”
– 2 Corinthians 5:17
Common Questions
What is Baptism?
We practice water Baptism by immersion. This means the individual being baptized gets into a body of water, and upon confirming their commitment to following Jesus, is submerged into the water briefly, and then raised up out of the water. It is symbolic of being buried and resurrected from the grave. The message being communicated, is the individual is choosing to die to their own desires and is choosing to live a new life trying to please and follow Jesus. Baptism is an outward expression of an inward change. It’s a public declaration of how Jesus changed your life. Being baptized shows others that you’ve decided to follow Jesus, and allows them to celebrate this decision with you (Acts 16:31-34). Baptism doesn’t save a person; it’s a symbol and celebration of salvation (1 Peter 3:21). The power that brought Jesus back to life is the same power Jesus uses to change our lives – and that’s worth getting excited about!
Why should I be baptized?
Jesus instructs us to be baptized and He set the example by being baptized (Matthew 28:19-20, Mark 1:9). Obedience to Jesus shows we believe and follow Him. (1 John 2:3). Because Jesus went public about His love for us, we can go public about our love for Him. Being baptized shows that we turn away from a life of sin toward Jesus, the only one who can change us (Acts 2:38-41).
When’s the best time to be baptized?
For everyone who decides to follow Jesus, baptism is the next step. Anyone who commits his or her life to following Jesus is ready to be baptized (Acts 8:12).
Do you Baptize Children?
As parents, we can help point our children to Jesus, but they are the ones to decide if they will commit their lives to Him (Romans 10:9). Any instance of baptism follows a person’s decision to trust Jesus for his or her salvation and commitment to follow Him (Acts 10:47-48). At Pathways Church, we wait until children are old enough to express their own decision to follow Jesus and understand the meaning of baptism. We do however, practice child dedication, which is a commitment by the parents to raise their children in a Godly home, teaching them about Jesus.
What’s the difference between immersing, sprinkling and other ways of baptizing?
Baptisms in the Bible were by immersion. The original word for baptism (baptizo) most often referred to being immersed or submerged in water. Jesus was baptized by being immersed in the water and rising out of it (Matthew 3:16, Mark 1:10). Submersion in the water symbolizes the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus (1 Corinthians 15:3-4). Being submersed underwater represents our death to sin and old way of life, and being raised out of the water is a picture of how Jesus raised us and gave us a fresh start in life (Romans 6:3-5).
Do I need to be baptized again?
If you haven’t been baptized by immersion since you decided to follow Jesus, we want to help you take your next step of being baptized. Once you’ve taken that step, there’s no need to be baptized again. God never asks us to take a next step that isn’t good for us. He always gives us more than we deserve or can imagine, including the joy we receive from listening to Him and doing what He says.
Share Your Story
Everyone has a story, and your story is powerful! Tell us about how God has changed your life. We’ll celebrate it with you!