BAPTISM
Baptism is a special spiritual marker in your life and an opportunity to share your faith in Christ with others. When you are baptized, no matter what your age or background, you are obeying Jesus’ command to all of His followers.
WHAT DOES BAPTISM MEAN?
Baptism by immersion (water baptism) symbolizes Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection (Romans 6:1-4). Water baptism portrays your sins being forgiven and cleansed. Your sins are forgiven when you confess them (1 John 1:9) and are cleansed by Jesus’ shed blood (1 John 1:7). Your baptism shows others a vivid picture of that cleansing and forgiveness.
Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.
Romans 6:3-4, ESV
DOES BAPTISM SAVE?
Baptism itself does not ‘save’ you; however, it does identify you with Jesus Christ and His church and serves as a symbol of your commitment to Christ and His church. By being baptized, you are saying to the world, “I have committed my whole life, totally and completely, to Jesus Christ.” The seriousness of this commitment, and the symbol that baptism displays to those who see it, are incredible ways for you to share your faith.
As followers of Christ, we observe the sacrament of baptism as demonstrated in the gospels (Matthew 3:13-17; Mark 1:9-11; John 1:29-34) and by the apostles throughout the book of Acts. It is commanded by the risen Christ in the great commission given to the disciples at His ascension (Matthew 28:16-20).
“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
Matthew 28:19-20, ESV
BAPTISM AT EMMANUEL
Baptism is required for those desiring membership at Emmanuel, either previously at the time of your commitment to Christ, or when you desire membership at Emmanuel.
Because baptism is a public display, and a celebration, we ask each candidate to commit to a brief video testimony to accompany your baptism. There is no need to be nervous about the video – our desire is to make your video testimony painless and enjoyable! Because we are spread over several services, your video testimony is a way to tell your story to the whole church! Your story might be the very thing that leads someone else to understand their need for Christ. This video testimony extends to all ages (parents, you can benefit from a great learning experience when helping to prepare your child for their baptism testimony).