Baptism

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 WHAT IS THE MEANING OF BAPTISM?

  1. It symbolizes Christ's burial and resurrection.
 
"Christ died for our sins... He was buried... and He rose again." -- I Cor. 15:3-4

  2. It symbolizes my new life as a Christian.  

"When someone becomes a Christian, he becomes a brand new person inside. The old life has passed away and a new life has begun!" --2 Cor. 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!" --Rom. 6:4


  3. It is a public testimony that one is joining "the team" of Christ followers.     

 

WHY BE BAPTIZED BY IMMERSION?

1. Because Jesus was baptized that way.

"As soon as Jesus was baptized, He went up out of the water." --Matt. 3:16
2. Every baptism in the Bible was by immersion.

(Example) "...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

The word Baptize means "To dip under water". The Greek work Baptizo means "To immerse or dip under water". It best symbolized a burial and resurrection!

WHO SHOULD BE BAPTIZED?

Every person who has believed Christ.

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

 This may include children who are old enough to accept Christ as their Savior and Lord, and understand the true meaning of baptism.


Differences between Baby/Child Dedication and Baptism:

Orchard Grove differentiates between Baby/Child Dedication and Baptism.  In Baby/Child Dedictation ceremonies, parents covenant with God to raise their child or children in the faith until the child is old enough to make his or her own personal confession of Christ and only then can the child legitimately qualify for Baptism.     

 

WHEN SHOULD I BE BAPTIZED?

As soon as you have believed.
"Those who believe...were baptized...that day!" --Acts 2:41
"Then Philip began with the scripture and told him the Good News about Jesus. As they traveled along the road, they came to some water, and the man said, ´Look, here is water! Why shouldn't I be baptized right now?´ Philip said, ´If you believe with all your heart, you may.´ The man answered, ´I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.´ So they went down into the water and Philip baptized him."--Acts 8:35-38

There is no reason to delay. As soon as you have decided to receive Christ into your life, you can and should be baptized. If you wait until you are "perfect", you'll never feel "good enough".

If you would like to be baptized please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  by email or by calling 248.926.6584 X201