Baptism is a symbol of Christ’s burial and resurrection. Our entrance into the water during baptism identifies us with Christ’s death on the cross, His burial in the tomb and His resurrection from the dead.
“Going under the water was a burial of your old life; coming up out of it was a resurrection, God raising you from the dead as he did Christ. When you were stuck in your old sin-dead life, you were incapable of responding to God. God brought you alive right along with Christ! Think of it! All sins forgiven, the slate wiped clean, that old arrest warrant canceled and nailed to Christ’s cross.” Colossians 2:12-14
It is a symbol of your new life as a Christian. We bury the “old life” and we rise to walk in a “new life”. Baptism is a commitment that has to be followed through and lived out on a daily basis.
It’s meant to show the world that you love, trust and have put your hope in Christ. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” 2 Corinthians 5:17
“We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.” Romans 6:4
Baptism does not make you a believer; it shows that you already are one! Baptism does not “save” you; only your faith in Christ does that.
Who should be baptized?
Every person who has made the decision to believe in Christ. When Paul writes to the believers in Rome, he assumes that all of them have been baptized (Romans 6). The one requirement for baptism is belief in Christ!
“Those who accepted his message were baptized.” Acts 2:41
We believe in baptizing children when they are old enough to understand what it means and make a personal declaration of belief.
How are we to be baptized?
As per the example of Jesus – by being immersed in water. The word “baptism” comes from the Greek word “baptize” which means “to immerse or dip under water”.
“As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water.” Matthew 3:16
Every baptism in the Bible was by immersion under water. The book of Acts shows us that this was the norm for every believer.
When are we to be baptized?
As soon as a person decides to believe in Christ, he can be, and is encouraged to be baptized.
“Those who accepted his message were baptized.” Acts 2:41 According to what we do at Victory in Christ Community Church, our baptism teaching and immersion come August and September. If you are interested in baptism and how to prepare, please contact our administration department.