Should I be baptized in water?

Yes!  Jesus and his disciples taught us to participate in this declaration of our faith.  Baptism is a beautiful picture of what has taken place inside of you.  The old you has been crucified and buried and the new you has been raised to eternal life in Christ.  Jesus was placed in that tomb of death and was raised to new life in victory.  You are proclaiming to the world in baptism that your sins have been cleansed by the blood of Jesus and that you are now living for Him free from the power of sin.  When you have the opportunity to be baptized, invite everyone you know and use the occasion as an opportunity to tell them how God has changed you for eternity. Acts 2:38-39; Acts 8:36-38; Romans 6:4

Here are some answers to common questions about baptism:  

-Just as we can't do enough good works to earn God's forgiveness, we do not earn salvation by being baptized.  We are baptized in obedience to scripture and to let the world know that we have been saved by the grace (unearned favor) of God.  

-Another question usually comes up if you were raised in a church that practices infant baptism.  You may have been baptized by your parents as an infant, but I believe the Bible is clear about baptism being a conscious choice after someone has repented and turned their heart toward God.  If you personally can't remember the day your were baptized go ahead and seek to be baptized.

-If you have been exposed to the tradition of infant baptism you may also ask about being sprinkled or physically submerged in water.  I believe the definition of the original greek word "baptismo" answers that question.  The original word referred to the process of dipping a piece of cloth in a color dye that would lead to the cloth being completely covered and permanently changed by the experience.  As we are submerged completely in the water we come up marked by our public statement as a follower of Jesus Christ. 

-So who can help with your baptism and where you should be baptized?  Any follower of Jesus Christ can baptize a new believer anywhere you can find enough water.  My personal preference would be in a public place like a lake or stream, but many churches have special little pools in their sanctuary designed for that very purpose.  The attitude of your heart is what is important, not the location of the water or the "title" of the believer who baptized you. 

-When should I be baptized?  If you have repented from your old life and confessed your belief in Jesus as the crucified and risen Son of God who died to pay for your sins, you are ready to be baptized.  If you feel you need to learn more or understand more about what God has started inside of you, that is fine, but I would not put it off indefinitely.  One blessing of baptism is that you have a date and time that you can point to when you are tempted to go back to your old way of living.  You can say, "I'm not going back.  The old me was buried and now I am living in the strength that God has given me.  I am a follower of Jesus Christ and I am not turning back!"

If you want more information about baptism, feel free to contact us.