Baptism is a public expression of faith in Jesus Christ as your personal lord and savior. Jesus was baptized when he was on the earth, and he commanded his followers to be baptized as well. Throughout history, Christians have used various methods for baptism, and we recognize and affirm those various historical methods. We baptize by "immersion," meaning we are submerged under water to identify with the death and burial of Jesus and raised out of the water to identify with His resurrection. We believe that water baptism is a public declaration of three important things: You are a follow of Jesus Christ; You are beginning a changed life in Christ; and You are part of a new family.