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Baptism

One of the next steps you can take to help solidify your new identity is for YOU to choose to get baptized. Notice the emphasis on YOU in the last sentence? Maybe your parents decided to have you baptized as a child or infant? This isn't uncommon and is a great gesture and commitment that comes from a parent for their child. However, as you come of age to be able to make decisions on your own, this becomes a choice that YOU make. Therefore we believe that infants and children may be dedicated to the Body of Christ until they can personally articulate their faith and understand the purpose of baptism.

What does Baptism Symbolize?

Water baptism is an outward expression of an inward decision. Someone getting dunked in the water might seem strange to some, but it has a very significant meaning for anyone who has put their faith in Jesus Christ. Baptism is a way of showing others that you have entered into a relationship with Jesus Christ. You can consider it much like wearing a wedding ring. It's a symbol of the commitment you have made to follow Christ and your opportunity to let everyone know. It is the next step after your decision to follow Jesus.

Baptism does not save you; it shows you've already been saved! Baptism is not a condition for your salvation; it is a response from your salvation. However the one requirement for baptism is belief in Christ.

Romans 6 tells us that when we are baptized, we put to "death" our old sinful life. Baptism is an expression of our desire to be united with Jesus through his death and burial (going down in the water) and the new life we have through faith in Christ and because of his resurrection (coming back up from the water). Baptism tells everyone you have accepted Jesus as Lord and Savior and is one of the most meaningful things you can do to begin your faith journey!