Request For Adult

Water Baptism

WATER BAPTISM, as understood and practiced in the Bible is not a means of getting to heaven, nor is it a guarantee eternal life in Heaven. The Bible tells us that only the blood of Christ can cleanse from sin. Nothing that we do, including baptism, is sufficient to remove or wash our sins away. (1 John 1:9, Ephesians 2:8, 9)

Water baptism, however, is a definite command of Christ. Let us emphatically state that water baptism is the will of God for every Christian.

In the New Testament there are numerous references to water baptismal services. The indication is clear that water baptism stood on the very threshold of the Christian life. When one became a Christian, one was expected to be baptized in water. The EXAMPLE of Jesus (Matthew 3:13-16), the COMMAND of Jesus (Matt. 28:19, Mark 16:16), and the PRACTICE of the early church (Acts 8:36-39, Acts 10:47, 48, Acts 22:16, Acts 16:31-33), all combine to teach that water baptism is imperative for every Christian believer today!

The question could be asked, "What is required of me before I am baptized?" Some would say, "I don’t feel ready yet. I’m not good enough yet. I think I need to grow more spiritually before I’m baptized." To this we would reply that God has commanded us to be baptized. He knows us better than we know ourselves. To wait until we "feel" ready is no logical reason to disobey God. To wait until one is good enough...that could never be. Or, to wait for spiritual growth is to avoid simple obedience to God, which bring spiritual growth! The only requirement is "REPENTANCE" (Acts 2:38). Repentance includes the confessing and forsaking of sin. Repentance is what brings salvation. When you become a Christian the Bible says "old things are passed away....all things are become new." (2 Cor. 5:17) If you have repented of your sin and have become a Christian, your next step is to be baptized in water.

Another question is this: "What good is baptism?" There are several answers to this, besides the fact that it is an act of simple obedience to God as has already been mentioned. Water baptism is a public confession, an outward sign or expression of your decision to be a Christian. This is why Philip baptized the Ethiopian as seen in the Scriptures (Acts 8:37). Notice here that Philip said, "If thou believest, thou mayest (be baptized). It was an outward sign that the Ethiopian did actually believe. It was an indication of his faith in Christ. (Remember Matthew 10:32,33)

Further, in water baptism, we identify ourselves with Christ (Galatians 3:27). How is this? In baptism, we portray the death of Christ (Romans 6:3), the burial of Christ (Colossians 2:12, Romans 6:4), and the resurrection of Christ (Colossians 2:12). This is pictured as we go into the water, under the water, and then come up out of the water. Because we are identifying ourselves with Christ, "we ought also to walk in newness of life." (Romans 6:4)

Finally, the question, "How should I be baptized?" Some suggest the sprinkling of water, some say by pouring water over the person, others say total, individual total immersion. Since we have no Scriptural record of anyone being baptized by the sprinkling of water or the pouring of water, we elect to baptise by total immersion. Each case of baptism in the Bible clearly indicates that total immersion was the Scriptural pattern for water baptism. The description of Scriptural accounts includes such phrases as "came into certain water", "much water", "went down into", "in Jordan", "came up out of the water". (Acts 8:36, John 3:23, Acts 8:38, Matthew 3:6, Acts 8:39, Mark 1:10).

So you haven’t yet been baptized? The only thing left to do is to obey Him. Determine to do so at your next earliest opportunity!

*** Please take this important step prayerfully as a matter of your own personal convictions. We are not interested in empty form or tradition but in obeying Christ. This open witness of your commitment to Christ can be a turning point for you and one of great blessing.

1) Meet early prior to the service with the pastor for instruction

2) Be sure to bring a towel, along with suitable clothing or bathing suit to wear under the Baptismal gown.

-----------------Please complete and return to the pastor or church office for our records ---------------------------

Name: (please print      ______________________________________________________________________________________

Address:  ________________________________________________________________________________________________

        City/Town: ___________________________________________________   Postal Code: ____________________________

            Phone Number: _____________________________________________

Your Birthdate:      Day:   _______       Month:  ________    Year:  ________

Father’s Full Name: ___________________________________________________________________________________

Mother’s Full Maiden Name: ___________________________________________________________________________________

Where were you born?   ___________________________________________________________________________________

Where were you when you initially made your commitment to become a Christian?  __________________________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________

When did you committed your life to Christ? (Date:)     _______________________________________________________________

I have read and understood the information on this application that explains water baptism.

Signature : ______________________________ Preferred Date of Baptism: ____________________________________