Simply put, Christian baptism is the immersion of a person into water. It is an outward expression of an inward decision to follow Jesus.
In the final chapter of Matthew's Gospel, Jesus commisions his disciples to "go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit," (Matt 28:19).
The Apostle Paul also speaks on the significance of baptism by comparing it to the death of Jesus: "We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life," (Rom 6:4).
Just as Jesus was buried and rose from the grave, we symbolically lay down our old life and rise as a new creation through the waters of baptism!
To learn more about our stance on baptism, check out our beliefs page!
After the Apostle Peter gave the first sermon to the church, the audience—impacted by the message of Jesus Christ—asked Peter how they should respond. “Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins,” (Acts 2:38a).
Why should someone be baptized? Because it is a response to the Good News that Jesus Christ has saved you from your sins. And the Apostle Peter specifically connects it to the forgiveness of sins.
Jesus makes a similar comment at the end of Mark’s Gospel: “Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned,” (Mark 16:16).
Therefore we believe that anyone who has faith in Jesus should be baptized, as it is a public proclamation of faith and marks the moment when someone begins their new life as a Christian—dedicated to living for and like Jesus every day.