BAPTISM

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:

  1. You are a follow of Jesus Christ; 
  2. You are beginning a changed life in Christ; and
  3. You are part of a new family.

I HAVE DECIDED

We make getting baptized as simple as 1. 2. 3. so you'll have nothing to worry about.


1. REGISTER


Register to join us during a Baptism Service held a couple times a year.  There will be a 30 minute discussion on the meaning of baptism before the service.


2. INVITE


Water baptism is a time of celebration and public declaration of new life in Christ. Bring your friends and family with you so you can celebrate together.


3. RELAX


Don't worry about what to bring for baptism.  Our team is prepared with everything you need.

COMMON QUESTIONS

Why be baptized?

Those who are baptized are following Jesus' example and obeying His command.

  • "As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water.  At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him.  And a voice from heaven said, 'This is my son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.'" Matthew 3:16-17
  • “Then Jesus came to them and said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.’” Matthew 28:18–20

What is the significance of baptism?

Water baptism is a public declaration of three very important things:

  • You are a follower of Jesus Christ.
    “Those who accepted his message were baptized.” Acts 2:41
  • You are beginning a changed life in Christ.
    “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
  • You are part of a new family.
    “So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.” Galatians 3:26–27


What can I expect at a baptism service?

Throughout the scriptures, we see a simple two-step pattern to the way baptism was performed:

  1. The gospel was preached; and
  2. Those who received the gospel were baptized.  

There was no delay between confession of faith and baptism. The classic example of this pattern is found in Acts 2:


Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.” And with many other words he bore witness and continued to exhort them, saying, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation.” So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls. And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. Acts 2:38-42


Notice the pattern: 1) Peter preaches the gospel; and 2) all who received his word were baptized. We see this exact same pattern over and over in the scripture: Acts 8 (the Ethiopian Eunuch), Acts 9 (the Apostle Paul), Acts 10 (Cornelius’ household), Acts 16 (Lydia), Acts 16 (the Jailer and his household), and Acts 18 (Crispus and the Corinthians).  


At One Family Church, we emulate the simple 2-step pattern of New Testament baptism, by 1) preaching the gospel and 2) inviting all those who receive Jesus to immediately be baptized.


What do you provide for me during baptism service?

We provide everything you need to be baptized during the service.  This includes, dark colored shirt and pants, underwear, towels, sandals, hair products, shower caps, mirrors, various toiletries and dedicated changing areas.  Our team is ready and able to help you throughout the entire service.  It is our goal that nothing would stand in the way of your decision to be baptized.


I have already been baptized. Should I be baptized again?

If you were baptized as an infant, we recognize and affirm your baptism. If you would like to make a public declaration of your faith, that you are beginning a changed life, and you are uniting with a new family, we are happy to baptize you again as an adult.


Can my child be baptized?

We will baptize anyone over age 7 who understands what baptism means and wants to make that personal public declaration. We encourage you to partner with our Kids and Youth ministries to guide your children through these decisions of faith. If your child is younger than 7, you can dedicate them to the Lord during a CHILD DEDICATION SERVICE >


Can my infant be baptized?

While we accept and affirm infant baptism as a legitimate Christian practice, we do not baptize infants. Rather, we dedicate children to the Lord, as Jesus was dedicated to the Lord when he was an infant. In the Bible we see that Jesus’ parents dedicated him to the Lord (Luke 2:22–40), and he was later baptized as an adult (Matthew 3:16–17). LEARN MORE >

TEACHING ON BAPTISM