FAQ about baptism
What Is The Meaning Of Baptism?
1. It illustrates your death to self, burial and resurrection with Christ.
“Christ died for our sins… He was buried… and He rose again.” --I Corinthians 15:3-4
“For when you were baptized, you were buried with Christ, and in baptism you were also raised with Christ.” --Colossians 2:12
2. It illustrates your new life as a Christian.
“When someone becomes a Christian he becomes a brand new person inside. The old life has passed away and a new life has begun!” --2 Corinthians 5:17
“By our baptism then, we were buried with Him and shared His death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead… so also we may live a new life!” –Romans 6:4
Baptism doesn’t make you a believer - it shows that you already believe. Baptism does not “save” you, only your faith in Christ does that. Baptism is like a wedding ring - it’s the outward symbol of the commitment you make in your heart.
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith… it is the gift of God - not by works, so that no one can boast.” --Ephesians 2:8,9
Why Be Baptized By Immersion?
1. Because Jesus was baptized that way.
“As soon as Jesus was baptized, He went up out of the water.” --Matthew 3:16
2. Every baptism in the Bible was by immersion.
(Example) “...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 work Baptizo means “To immerse or dip under water”.
Baptism best symbolizes burial and resurrection!
Who Should Be Baptized?
1. Every person who has believed in Christ.
“Those who believe and accepted His message were baptized...” --Acts 2:41
“Simon himself believed and was baptized...” --Acts 8:13
“But when they believed Philip as he preached the Good News… and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.” --Acts 8:12
2. What about infants and children being baptized?
At FBC Brandon, we wait until our children are old enough to believe in Christ and understand the true meaning of baptism before we baptize them. We actually have a class for those who have completed at least the first grade called “New Believers.” Once a child completes that class they can make themselves a candidate for baptism. (Contact our Children’s Ministry Office at 601-825-8003 for more information).
Some churches practice a “baptism of confirmation” for children. This ceremony is intended to be a covenant between the parents and God on the 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 baptism talked about in the Bible which was only for those old enough to believe. The purpose of baptism is to publicly confess your personal commitment to Christ. At FBC Brandon, 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.
3. I have already received Christ and been baptized by immersion in another church, will I have to be baptized again to be a member at FBC Brandon?
No. Some people, however, who become members, choose to be baptized again if they feel their first baptism was for the wrong reason or preceded their conversion to Christ.
When Should I Be Baptized?
As soon as you have believed!
“Those who believe...were baptized...that day!” --Acts 2:41
“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
There is no reason to delay. As soon as you have decided to receive Christ into your life, you can and should be baptized. If you wait until you are “perfect”, you’ll never feel “good enough”!
Who do I contact about being baptized?
Call the Education Pastor’s Office at 601-825-9003.