Baptism
An Outward Reflection Of An Inward Connection
What Does It Mean To Baptized As A Believer?
Baptism is an outward reflection of an inward connection! Baptism is both an act of obedience and a public declaration of faith. The Bible teaches that you should follow Jesus' example of baptism by immersion soon after you make the decision
Who Should Be Baptized?
As soon as you have believed!
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​"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 (CSB)
When Should I Be Baptized?
As soon as you have believed!
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​"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 (CSB)
Do You Baptize Kids?
At My Safe Harbor @MBC, we wait until kids are old enough to fully understand and make the decision to follow Jesus on their own before baptizing them.
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We do practice "Baby or Child Dedications." This ceremony is intended to be a covenant between the parents, their church family, and God on behalf of the child. The parents promise to raise their child in the faith until the child is old enough to make their own personal confession of faith. The church body promises to stand with the parents and assist them as needed as they do so.
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This is a dedication because the parents are expressing their faith and giving the child to God. Baptism requires a personal faith relationship with Jesus followed by a public confession of faith.
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What Does Baptism Look Like?
We believe in baptism by immersion because Jesus was baptized that way.
"As soon as Jesus was baptized, He went up out of the water ..." Matthew 3:16
Plus, every baptism in the Bible was by immersion.
"…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
The word baptize means "to dip under water."
The Greek word baptize means "to immerse or dip under water."
It best symbolizes the burial and resurrection!