Baptism: Taking a Closer Look

What is baptism?

• Baptize means "to dip under water."
• The purpose of baptism is to publicly confess your personal commitment to Jesus Christ.

What is the meaning of baptism?

• The act of submersion through Baptism physically represents Jesus Christ's burial and resurrection.

I Corinthians 15:3-4 (KJV), "Christ died for our sins . . He was buried . . .and that He rose again."

Colossians 2:12 (KJV), "Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead."

• By being baptized, believers illustrate their commitment to begin a new life as a Christian. It doesn't establish a relationship with Jesus Christ, it shows that a relationship has already begun. Baptism is like a wedding ring; it is the outward symbol of the commitment that a believer makes in his or her heart.

II Corinthians 5:17 (KJV), "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold all things are become new!"

Romans 6:4 (KJV), "Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in the newness of life."

Why be baptized by immersion?

• Jesus was baptized through immersion.

Matthew 3:16 (KJV), "And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him . . ."

• Every baptism recorded in the Bible was by immersion. For example:

Acts 8:38-39 (KJV), ". . . and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him. And when they were come up out of the water . . ."

Who should be baptized?

• Every person who believes in Jesus Christ.

Acts 2:41 (KJV), "Then they that gladly received his word were baptized . . ."

Acts 8:12 (KJV), "But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women."

When should children be baptized?

• At PBC, we wait until our children are old enough to believe and to understand the true meaning of baptism before we baptize them.

Some churches practice a "baptism of confirmation" for children. This ceremony is intended to be a covenant between the parents 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 his own personal confession of Christ. This custom began about 300 years after the Bible was completed.

This is different from the act of baptism described in the Bible, which was only for those old enough to believe. The purpose is to publicly confess your personal commitment to Christ. At PBC, it is a membership requirement that every member must have been baptized the way Jesus demonstrated, even though many of us were "confirmed" as children.

When should I be baptized?

• As soon as you have decided to receive Christ into your life, you can and should be baptized. There is no reason to delay! If you wait until your are "perfect," you'll never feel "good enough!"

Acts 2:41 (KJV), "Then they that gladly received his word were baptized . . .the same day!"

Acts 8:35-38 (KJV), "Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus. And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him."

PBC typically holds baptisms twice a year, in the spring and fall. Please check the calendar of events or call the church office (609-275-8092) for the next scheduled date.

What should I do if I am interested in being baptized at PBC?

You can do one of three things:

1. Call the church and ask to speak with someone about baptism: (609) 275-8092.
2. Fill out a Connect Card on Sunday morning and indicate you are interested in following the Lord in baptism by checking the designated box. A pastor from the church will contact you about your decision.
3. Email Pastor Brad to sign up online.