Please read this material carefully, and fill out the attached baptism application. There is a required baptism class that you will participate in, and you will have ample opportunity to ask questions regarding the doctrine and practice of baptism.
WHAT WE BELIEVE ABOUT BAPTISM
Who Should Be Baptized?
Christians are people who believe that the blood of Jesus Christ, shed on the cross, provides the sole
basis for the forgiveness of sin. Therefore, salvation occurs only when people place their faith in the
death and resurrection of Jesus as the payment for their sin.
If you have confessed your sins to God, and you have trusted Jesus to forgive your sins, and you have
surrendered control of your life to Jesus, then you are ready to be baptized.
What Water Baptism Symbolizes
Baptism is a way of showing others that a person has entered into a relationship with Jesus Christ. It
symbolizes what takes place in a person’s heart when they are made new in Jesus:
• They die to their old way of life and are buried
(illustrated by going under the water).
• They step into a new life, the resurrection life of
Jesus (illustrated by coming up out of the water).
This is the reason that when we baptize at New Life,
we completely submerse an individual. We
want the symbolism to be unmistakable!
• They are symbolically washed clean from all of the
sinful stains acquired in their old lives, the same
way our hearts are washed clean by the blood of
Jesus. Additionally, the Bible instructs Christ
followers to be baptized, so baptism is an act of
obedience. It demonstrates your new commitment
to submit your life to the Word of God.
Infant Christening
While we respect Christian traditions that teach infant baptism as a means of salvation, we do not be-
lieve that such christenings make someone a Christian. A true Christian is someone who has confessed their sin and surrendered themselves to Jesus, acknowledging His complete Lordship over their lives. We value infant christening (or baby dedications) as a way for parents to indicate their desire to raise their children in a godly manner. But if you are Christ-follower, we strongly encourage you to be baptized in water when you make the decision on your own to give your life to Jesus.The
THE BAPTISM SERVICE
Share Your Celebration and Testimony
Be sure to invite family, friends and co-workers to your baptism. Not only will it provide you with an opportunity to share your faith with them, it will place them in a beautiful and powerful atmosphere filled with the presence of God.
Arrival
You will need to arrive at the church NO LATER THAN 10:30 AM. When you arrive, please check in at the Information Desk. Feel free to arrive dressed for baptism.
Dress Code
Please wear a DARK navy blue or black t-shirt. Wear either pants or long shorts, but be sure they do not become “see-through” when wet. Feel free to wear a bathing suit under your clothes. You may also want to bring flip-flops or other swim shoes.
Items to Bring with You
• TWO (2) towels
• Dry clothing to change into after the baptism
• Any personal products you may need (comb, hair dryer, etc.).
The Baptism
The actual baptism takes place DURING the worship service. You will be directed to a place prepared for you backstage prior to the start of the service where you will await the actual baptism.
After Being Baptized
Church staff will help you get safely to a restroom where you can change into dry clothing. When you are ready, just come back and rejoin the service.
WHAT WE BELIEVE ABOUT BAPTISM
Who Should Be Baptized?
Christians are people who believe that the blood of Jesus Christ, shed on the cross, provides the sole
basis for the forgiveness of sin. Therefore, salvation occurs only when people place their faith in the
death and resurrection of Jesus as the payment for their sin.
If you have confessed your sins to God, and you have trusted Jesus to forgive your sins, and you have
surrendered control of your life to Jesus, then you are ready to be baptized.
What Water Baptism Symbolizes
Baptism is a way of showing others that a person has entered into a relationship with Jesus Christ. It
symbolizes what takes place in a person’s heart when they are made new in Jesus:
• They die to their old way of life and are buried
(illustrated by going under the water).
• They step into a new life, the resurrection life of
Jesus (illustrated by coming up out of the water).
This is the reason that when we baptize at New Life,
we completely submerse an individual. We
want the symbolism to be unmistakable!
• They are symbolically washed clean from all of the
sinful stains acquired in their old lives, the same
way our hearts are washed clean by the blood of
Jesus. Additionally, the Bible instructs Christ
followers to be baptized, so baptism is an act of
obedience. It demonstrates your new commitment
to submit your life to the Word of God.
Infant Christening
While we respect Christian traditions that teach infant baptism as a means of salvation, we do not be-
lieve that such christenings make someone a Christian. A true Christian is someone who has confessed their sin and surrendered themselves to Jesus, acknowledging His complete Lordship over their lives. We value infant christening (or baby dedications) as a way for parents to indicate their desire to raise their children in a godly manner. But if you are Christ-follower, we strongly encourage you to be baptized in water when you make the decision on your own to give your life to Jesus.The
THE BAPTISM SERVICE
Share Your Celebration and Testimony
Be sure to invite family, friends and co-workers to your baptism. Not only will it provide you with an opportunity to share your faith with them, it will place them in a beautiful and powerful atmosphere filled with the presence of God.
Arrival
You will need to arrive at the church NO LATER THAN 10:30 AM. When you arrive, please check in at the Information Desk. Feel free to arrive dressed for baptism.
Dress Code
Please wear a DARK navy blue or black t-shirt. Wear either pants or long shorts, but be sure they do not become “see-through” when wet. Feel free to wear a bathing suit under your clothes. You may also want to bring flip-flops or other swim shoes.
Items to Bring with You
• TWO (2) towels
• Dry clothing to change into after the baptism
• Any personal products you may need (comb, hair dryer, etc.).
The Baptism
The actual baptism takes place DURING the worship service. You will be directed to a place prepared for you backstage prior to the start of the service where you will await the actual baptism.
After Being Baptized
Church staff will help you get safely to a restroom where you can change into dry clothing. When you are ready, just come back and rejoin the service.
Baptism Application
Each person being baptized in the family needs to complete an individual application. Parents are invit-
ed to assist younger children with their applications. Everyone being baptized will give public testimony
to their faith in Jesus Christ via video recording. This step is very important to both the one being baptized and to the church family, who love to celebrate with you!
The Bible teaches us that God is relational. He desires a growing and real relationship with everyone.
However, we are each born separated from God because of sin. But God loves us so much that He sent His Son Jesus to die on the cross as payment for all of our sin. All who believe that Jesus paid for their sins, and have received His forgiveness by surrendering their lives to Him, have entered into a relationship with God.
Each person being baptized in the family needs to complete an individual application. Parents are invit-
ed to assist younger children with their applications. Everyone being baptized will give public testimony
to their faith in Jesus Christ via video recording. This step is very important to both the one being baptized and to the church family, who love to celebrate with you!
The Bible teaches us that God is relational. He desires a growing and real relationship with everyone.
However, we are each born separated from God because of sin. But God loves us so much that He sent His Son Jesus to die on the cross as payment for all of our sin. All who believe that Jesus paid for their sins, and have received His forgiveness by surrendering their lives to Him, have entered into a relationship with God.