A public act that represents a personal transformation.
Baptism is a critical step in any Christian’s spiritual journey. It is a tradition dating back to the New Testament that publicly demonstrates the inward transformation Jesus has made in your life. When you choose to be baptized, you are taking your first step in obedience for Christ after deciding to follow him.
Why Baptism Matters
While the Bible does not teach that baptism is required for salvation, it is commanded of us in the New Testament. Baptism is reserved for those who have professed faith in Jesus Christ and have chosen to follow him. At Providence, we baptize by immersing individuals under the water, symbolizing the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
What is baptism?
Biblically-speaking, baptism signifies the following:
1. Baptism portrays the death and resurrection of Christ. (Rom. 6:3-4)
2. Baptism demonstrates a person’s union with Christ in his death and resurrection. (1 Cor. 12:13, Col. 2:12)
3. Baptism proclaims cleansing from sin. (Acts 22:16, 1 Pet. 3:21, Heb. 10:22)
4. Baptism symbolizes deliverance from judgment. (1 Pet. 3:20-21)
The waters of baptism remind us of the waters of God’s judgment unleashed upon the earth during the days of Noah, upon the Egyptians as they attempted to cross the Red Sea, and upon Jonah as he was hurled into the sea and raised from it three days later. Peter says that baptism “corresponds to” Noah and his family being kept safe from the flood by the ark that God commanded him to make. Therefore to baptize a person means that just as Noah was delivered from the flood, just as the Israelites passed safely through the waters of the Red Sea, and just as Jonah emerged safely from the water, so too he or she has passed through the waters of God’s judgment and emerged as a new creation, and only because of the merits of Jesus. Salvation is our appeal to God that he would take us into Christ as Noah was taken into the ark and delivered.
Why do we baptize?
1. To follow the example of Jesus. (Mark 1:9)
2. To obey Jesus’ commandment. (Matt. 28:19)
3. To publicly declare that a person is a believer. (Acts 2:38)
How do we baptize?
Our baptism services happen roughly four times a year and are among the most special Sundays we get to experience together. Each person who is baptized is given a chance to share a personal testimony of how God has changed his or her life before being immersed under the water. This makes each baptism deeply personal, intimate, and special.
Who can be baptized?
1. The New Testament only describes the baptism of believers.
Of the numerous baptism accounts in Scripture, it is only ever those who have repented of their sins and turned to Christ that we see being baptized. Belief is consistently seen as the prerequisite for baptism. (See Acts 2:38; 2:41; 8:12; 8:35-36; 9:18; 10:48; 16:14-15; 16:33; 18:8; 19:5; 22:16)
2. Paul and baptism
In Galatians 3:27, Paul clearly assumes that those who have been baptized have “put on Christ” (have been saved). His question in Romans 6:3 carries the same assumption: “Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death?”
Next Baptism Class
September 22
Come learn more about baptism and how it’s practiced at Providence while preparing your heart for this significant milestone in your life. This is highly encouraged for anyone considering baptism soon.
Next Baptism OPPORTUNITY
October 20
If you’re interested in getting baptized, we can’t wait to celebrate with you. We would love to hear more about your story and help you take your next steps.
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