Baptism is a powerful next step in your faith journey, a public declaration of an inward transformation and a celebration of new life in Christ.
At Grace River Church, we believe baptism is an act of obedience that reflects your decision to follow Jesus and identifies you with His death, burial, and resurrection. Whether your faith is new or you’re taking a step you’ve been praying about, we are honored to celebrate this meaningful moment with you.
Considering Baptism, but still have questions? Register for the next Baptism Class to get all of your questions answered.
Ready to take your next step and go public with your faith? Register for the next Baptism Sunday, which will be available all 3 services.
We encourage you to invite your family and friends to come celebrate your special day.
Use this social media image to send an invitation through Facebook, Instagram or a Text message.
Baptisms are scheduled at the beginning of service.
Please let your guests know to arrive a few minutes before service begins.
1) TO FOLLOW THE EXAMPLE SET BY JESUS.
“At that time Jesus came from Nazareth and was baptized by John in the river.” Mark 1:9
2) BECAUSE CHRIST COMMANDED IT.
“Jesus said, ‘Go then, to all people everywhere and make them my disciples, baptize them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and teach them to obey everything I have commanded you.'” Matt. 28:19-20
3) IT DEMONSTRATES THAT I REALLY AM A BELIEVER.
” … many of the people who heard Him believed and were baptized”. Act 18:8
“We know that we have come to know Him, if we obey His commands.” 1 John 2:3
1) IT ILLUSTRATES JESUS’ DEATH, BURIAL, AND RESURRECTION.
“Christ died for our sins … He was buried … and He rose again.” 1 Cor. 15:3-4
“For when you were baptized, you were buried with Christ, and in baptism you were also raised with Christ.” Col. 2:12
2) IT ILLUSTRATES MY NEW LIFE AS A CHRISTIAN.
“By our baptism then, we were buried with Him and shared His death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead … so also we may live a new life.” Rom. 6:4
Baptism is like a wedding ring — it’s the outward symbol of the commitment you make in your heart.
BAPTISM IS AN OUTWARD SIGN OF AN INWARD COMMITMENT.
1) BECAUSE JESUS WAS BAPTIZED THAT WAY.
“As soon as Jesus was baptized, He went up out of the water.” Matt. 3:16
2) EVERY BAPTISM IN THE BIBLE WAS BY IMMERSION.
(Example) “ … then both Philip and the man went down into the water and Philip baptized him. When they came up out of the water…” Acts 8:38-39
3) THE WORD “BAPTIZE” ACTUALLY MEANS “TO DIP UNDER WATER.”
4) IMMERSION BEST SYMBOLIZES A DEATH AND RESURRECTION!
“When someone becomes a Christian he becomes a brand new person inside. The old life has passed away and a new life has begun!” 2 Cor. 5:17
“For you were buried with Christ when you were baptized. And with him you were raised to new life because you trusted the mighty power of God, who raised Christ from the dead.” Colossians 2:12
1) EVERY PERSON WHO HAS BELIEVED IN CHRIST.
“Those who believe and accepted His message were baptized …” Acts 2:41
“Simon himself believed and was baptized …” Acts 8:13
“But when they believed Philip as he preached the Good News … and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.” Acts 8:12
2) TO BELIEVE IS MORE THAN JUST HEAD KNOWLEDGE. IT IS PUTTING OUR FAITH AND TRUST IN JESUS AS OUR SAVIOR AND LORD.
3) WHAT IF I WAS BAPTIZED AS AN INFANT?
This is a great question often asked. Some churches baptize infants, but at Grace River we do not. We only baptize those who have made a decision to believe in Christ’s death as the payment for their sin. In the Bible, men and women were baptized following their belief in Jesus.
The custom of infant baptism began about 300 years after the Bible was completed. It’s a ceremony intended to emphasize a commitment between the parents and God on behalf of the child. During this ceremony, the parents promise to raise their child in the faith until the child is old enough to make his own personal confession of Christ.
At Grace River, we have a dedication service for infants and children that emphasize the parent’s role in raising a child to follow Christ. This service is called Child Dedication and is scheduled twice a year.
If you were baptized as a baby, we encourage you to be baptized by immersion as a believer.
4) IS BAPTISM NECESSARY FOR SALVATION?
No! Faith alone is necessary for salvation.
Baptism doesn’t make you a believer, it demonstrates that you already believe. It’s important to understand that baptism does not “save” you. You are “saved” only by your faith in Jesus.
“God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it.” Ephesians 2:8-9
1) AS SOON AS YOU HAVE “BELIEVED!
“Those who believe … were baptized … that day!” Acts 2:41
“Then Philip began with the scripture and told him the Good News about Jesus. As they traveled along the road, they came to some water, and the man said, ‘Look, here is water! Why shouldn’t I be baptized right now?’
Philip said, ‘If you believe with all your heart, you may.’ The man answered, ‘I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.’ So they went down into the water and Philip baptized him.” Acts 8:35-38
There is no reason to delay. As soon as you have decided to receive Christ into your life, you can and should be baptized. If you wait until you are “perfect” you’ll never be ready.
To register for the next Baptism, click here to register.