Baptism
Is it time for you to go off the deep end?
There's two types of people in this world. There are the people who lean over the edge of the swimming pool, dipping their toe in the water to see how it feels. These people ease themselves in as they get used to the water.
Then, there's the other type of person. The type who take a 20 yard sprint, jump off the diving board, and do a cannonball into the deep end without a second thought.
Which type of person are you? Are you just dipping your toe in to see what living life committed to Christ is all about? Maybe it is time to stop messing around and go off the deep end and be baptized.
In the Bible, Jesus teaches that once a person has committed their life to Him for salvation, their next step is to make their relationship with Him public through baptism.
Baptism allows a believer to communicate to the world their heart-felt commitment to Christ. People often have questions regarding baptism: Why should I be baptized? I’ve already been baptized. Do I have to do it again? Does it matter if someone is sprinkled or dunked? What does it even mean? Take a few minutes to read these Baptism FAQ's.
Who Should Be Baptized
Christians believe that the blood of Jesus Christ, shed on the cross, provides the sole basis for the forgiveness of sin. Therefore, salvation occurs only when a person places his or her faith in the death and resurrection of Christ as the sufficient payment for his or her sin.
If you have accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, then you are ready to be baptized. Just like a bride and groom show others their love for one another by wearing wedding bands, your baptism is your opportunity to show others that you have accepted Christ and are now walking with Him.
What Baptism Symbolizes
Baptism is a way of showing others that you have entered into a relationship with Jesus Christ. It symbolizes what took place in your heart at the time of salvation:
- Accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.
- Shared in His death and resurrection, illustrated by going under the water (dead to your old life), then rising again (new life).
- Were symbolically washed clean, and sins were forgiven by His death on the cross.
Because Jesus instructed us to be baptized, baptism is an act of obedience. While it is not necessary for salvation, it demonstrates submission to God. We immerse at Cross Community Church because we believe Scripture shows that Jesus modeled that for us as the way to publicly acknowledge our faith in Him.
Infant Christening
Some denominations choose to christen infants. While we recognize the right of other churches to practice infant christening, we understand Scripture to teach that only professing believers qualify for baptism. Baptism does not make you a believer, rather it shows that you already believe.