WHY SHOULD I BE BAPTIZED?
To follow the example set by Jesus Christ.
“Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan to be baptized by him. And John tried to prevent Him, saying, “I need to be baptized by You, and are You coming to me?” But Jesus answered and said to him, “Permit it to be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he allowed Him.” (Matthew 3:13-15)
WHY SHOULD I BE BAPTIZED?
Because the Lord commanded it.
And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved, but he who does not believe will be condemned. (Mark 16:15-16)
WHY SHOULD I BE BAPTIZED?
Because the Apostles preached it and the New Testament church practiced it.
WHEN SHOULD I BE BAPTIZED?
As soon as you have believed and repented.
WHO SHOULD BE BAPTIZED?
Every person who has believed the Gospel of Jesus Christ and repented of their sins.
WHO SHOULD BE BAPTIZED?
Those who are old enough to understand the meaning of repentance.
At Extraordinary Church, we wait until our children are old enough to understand the meaning of baptism before we baptize them. Some churches practise the baptism of infants, but this custom did not begin until about 300 years after the Bible was completed. This is different from the baptism that is taught in the Bible, which was only for those old enough to believe and repent.
Instead of baptizing infants, we dedicate them to God in a ceremony intended to be a covenant between the parents and God. The parents promise to raise their child in the faith until he is old enough to make his own personal decision to obey the Word of God.
WHO SHOULD BE BAPTIZED?
Those who have been baptized previously in a different way than the baptism specified by the Apostles for the New Testament church.
And he said to them, “Into what then were you baptized?” So they said,” Into John’s baptism.” Then Paul said,” John indeed baptized with a baptism of repentance, saying to the people that they should believe on Him who would come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.” When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. “On hearing this they were baptized [again, this time] in the name of the Lord Jesus.” (Acts 19:3-5, AMP)
WHEN SHOULD I BE BAPTIZED?
Before you “get your life straightened out.”
We don’t get good to get God, we get God to get good! If you wait around until you perfect yourself, get everything “fixed up” in your life, or feel worthy enough to be baptized, you will never do it. If you have truly repented, and are ready to leave your sin behind (with God’s help), you are ready to be baptized – NOW! There is no reason to delay your obedience.
WHEN SHOULD I BE BAPTIZED?
Promptly, without delaying for other people.
While it is a wonderful thing for family members to witness your baptism, or be baptized together at the same time, it is not wise to delay your obedience to the Word of God on their account. Baptism is a Bible command, not a family tradition.
WHAT HAPPENS AT BAPTISM?
My sins are washed away or remitted, accomplishing God’s full work of forgiveness.
WHAT HAPPENS AT WATER BAPTISM?
My conscience is washed and cleansed, so I can be free from my past way of thinking.
“and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a good conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ.” (1 Peter 3:21 NIV)
WHAT HAPPENS AT WATER BAPTISM?
My body is buried in a “grave of water,” portraying the death of my old life.
WHAT HAPPENS AT WATER BAPTISM?
I am born again “of the water,” portraying the birth of my new life.
“Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.” (John 3:5)
WHAT HAPPENS AT WATER BAPTISM?
I take upon myself the name of Jesus Christ, which is the only saving name.
WHAT HAPPENS AT WATER BAPTISM?
I demonstrate publicly that I am beginning a new life, committing myself to Christ and His church.
“Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them. And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.” (Acts 2:41-42)
HOW SHOULD I BE BAPTIZED?
In a PUBLIC worship experience if at all possible…
Because it is a testimony to others. Your baptism is a public declaration that you have committed your life to Christ and His church. If you choose in advance when you are going to be baptized, we encourage you to invite all your relatives and friends to attend the worship experience. You will also be given a certificate to commemorate your baptism.
Because it is an encouragement to you. At Extraordinary Church, baptisms usually take place at the end of a worship experience. One of the ministers and the congregation will pray for you, then he will lower you briefly under the water and speak the name of Jesus over you. When you are raised from the water, you will sense God’s presence in a special way as everyone rejoices with you.
Because it is practical to do so. Extraordinary Church provides baptismal robes and towels. You may wish to bring a swimsuit to wear under your robe and a plastic bag for your wet clothes. Although it is preferred and it is most convenient for you to be baptized during a worship experience, any of our ministers can perform a private baptism in special circumstances.
HOW SHOULD I BE BAPTIZED?
By being IMMERSED in water …
Because Jesus was baptized by immersion. “
When He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water…” (Matthew 3:16)
Because every baptism in the Bible was by immersion.
“So he commanded the chariot to stand still. And both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water, and he baptized him. Now when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught Philip away, so that the eunuch saw him no more; and he went on his way rejoicing.” (Acts 8:38-39)
Because that’s precisely what the word baptism means.
The Greek word “baptizo” literally means “to immerse or submerge under water.” It also has the significance of washing or cleansing oneself.
Because it is the best portrayal of a burial and resurrection.
“Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.” (Romans 6:4)
To follow the example set by Jesus Christ.
“Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan to be baptized by him. And John tried to prevent Him, saying, “I need to be baptized by You, and are You coming to me?” But Jesus answered and said to him, “Permit it to be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he allowed Him.” (Matthew 3:13-15)
WHY SHOULD I BE BAPTIZED?
Because the Lord commanded it.
And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved, but he who does not believe will be condemned. (Mark 16:15-16)
WHY SHOULD I BE BAPTIZED?
Because the Apostles preached it and the New Testament church practiced it.
- “And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord…” (Acts 10:48)
- “Then Crispus, the ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord with all his household. And many of the Corinthians, hearing, believed and were baptized.” (Acts 18:8)
WHEN SHOULD I BE BAPTIZED?
As soon as you have believed and repented.
- “Then those who gladly received his word were baptized, and that day about three thousand souls were added to them.” (Acts 2:41)
- “And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their stripes. And immediately he and all his family were baptized.” Acts 16:33
- “And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord.’” (Acts 22:16)
WHO SHOULD BE BAPTIZED?
Every person who has believed the Gospel of Jesus Christ and repented of their sins.
- “Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit…Then those who gladly received his word were baptized…” (Acts 2:38, 41)
- “But when they believed Philip as he preached the things concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, both men and women were baptized.” (Acts 8:12)
WHO SHOULD BE BAPTIZED?
Those who are old enough to understand the meaning of repentance.
At Extraordinary Church, we wait until our children are old enough to understand the meaning of baptism before we baptize them. Some churches practise the baptism of infants, but this custom did not begin until about 300 years after the Bible was completed. This is different from the baptism that is taught in the Bible, which was only for those old enough to believe and repent.
Instead of baptizing infants, we dedicate them to God in a ceremony intended to be a covenant between the parents and God. The parents promise to raise their child in the faith until he is old enough to make his own personal decision to obey the Word of God.
WHO SHOULD BE BAPTIZED?
Those who have been baptized previously in a different way than the baptism specified by the Apostles for the New Testament church.
And he said to them, “Into what then were you baptized?” So they said,” Into John’s baptism.” Then Paul said,” John indeed baptized with a baptism of repentance, saying to the people that they should believe on Him who would come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.” When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. “On hearing this they were baptized [again, this time] in the name of the Lord Jesus.” (Acts 19:3-5, AMP)
WHEN SHOULD I BE BAPTIZED?
Before you “get your life straightened out.”
We don’t get good to get God, we get God to get good! If you wait around until you perfect yourself, get everything “fixed up” in your life, or feel worthy enough to be baptized, you will never do it. If you have truly repented, and are ready to leave your sin behind (with God’s help), you are ready to be baptized – NOW! There is no reason to delay your obedience.
WHEN SHOULD I BE BAPTIZED?
Promptly, without delaying for other people.
While it is a wonderful thing for family members to witness your baptism, or be baptized together at the same time, it is not wise to delay your obedience to the Word of God on their account. Baptism is a Bible command, not a family tradition.
WHAT HAPPENS AT BAPTISM?
My sins are washed away or remitted, accomplishing God’s full work of forgiveness.
- “and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.” (Luke 24:47)
- “Then Peter said to them,” Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 2:38)
- “And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord.’” (Acts 22:16)
WHAT HAPPENS AT WATER BAPTISM?
My conscience is washed and cleansed, so I can be free from my past way of thinking.
“and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a good conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ.” (1 Peter 3:21 NIV)
WHAT HAPPENS AT WATER BAPTISM?
My body is buried in a “grave of water,” portraying the death of my old life.
- “Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death?” (Romans 6:3)
- “buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead.” (Colossians 2:12)
WHAT HAPPENS AT WATER BAPTISM?
I am born again “of the water,” portraying the birth of my new life.
“Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.” (John 3:5)
WHAT HAPPENS AT WATER BAPTISM?
I take upon myself the name of Jesus Christ, which is the only saving name.
- “For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.” (Galatians 3:27)
- “Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12)
WHAT HAPPENS AT WATER BAPTISM?
I demonstrate publicly that I am beginning a new life, committing myself to Christ and His church.
“Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them. And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.” (Acts 2:41-42)
HOW SHOULD I BE BAPTIZED?
In a PUBLIC worship experience if at all possible…
Because it is a testimony to others. Your baptism is a public declaration that you have committed your life to Christ and His church. If you choose in advance when you are going to be baptized, we encourage you to invite all your relatives and friends to attend the worship experience. You will also be given a certificate to commemorate your baptism.
Because it is an encouragement to you. At Extraordinary Church, baptisms usually take place at the end of a worship experience. One of the ministers and the congregation will pray for you, then he will lower you briefly under the water and speak the name of Jesus over you. When you are raised from the water, you will sense God’s presence in a special way as everyone rejoices with you.
Because it is practical to do so. Extraordinary Church provides baptismal robes and towels. You may wish to bring a swimsuit to wear under your robe and a plastic bag for your wet clothes. Although it is preferred and it is most convenient for you to be baptized during a worship experience, any of our ministers can perform a private baptism in special circumstances.
HOW SHOULD I BE BAPTIZED?
By being IMMERSED in water …
Because Jesus was baptized by immersion. “
When He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water…” (Matthew 3:16)
Because every baptism in the Bible was by immersion.
“So he commanded the chariot to stand still. And both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water, and he baptized him. Now when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught Philip away, so that the eunuch saw him no more; and he went on his way rejoicing.” (Acts 8:38-39)
Because that’s precisely what the word baptism means.
The Greek word “baptizo” literally means “to immerse or submerge under water.” It also has the significance of washing or cleansing oneself.
Because it is the best portrayal of a burial and resurrection.
“Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.” (Romans 6:4)