The Sacrament of Holy Baptism

Baptism is something Jesus commands us to do. We see it included as part of the Great Commission that Jesus gave his followers after his resurrection: "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 28:19,20) (NIV) For this reason, we are happy to offer the Sacrament of Baptism to all who desire it, for themselves and for their children.

Just as important, as shown in Jesus' words, is teaching God's Word to all, including what God tells us about Holy Baptism in Scripture. Baptism is more than just a symbolic act, more than something we do to show our commitment to God. In fact, Baptism is really something God does for us!

"Unless someone is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God! Whatever is born of the flesh is flesh. Whatever is born of the Spirit is spirit." (John 3:5,6)

(God) saved us—not by righteous works that we did ourselves, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and the renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs in keeping with the hope of eternal life. (Titus 3:5,6)

Baptism now saves you—not the removal of dirt from the body but the guarantee of a good conscience before God through the resurrection of Jesus Christ. (1 Peter 3:21)

Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, by cleansing her with the washing of water in connection with the Word. (Ephesians 5:25,26)

Don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him by this baptism into his death, so that just as he was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too would also walk in a new life. (Romans 6:3,4)

When a person is baptized, God comes to that person through his Word and makes them his child, with all the blessings that come with such a status. The power in Baptism isn't in the person baptizing or being baptized; the power is in the gospel. Baptism is a new birth, the start of a new life of faith. So it's important for those who have been baptized to continue to be fed with God's Word—fulfilling Jesus' commission that they be taught "everything I have commanded you."

If you desire baptism for yourself or your child, we are happy to do the baptizing. We also encourage you make God and his Word part of your life every day, and to make regular worship in church part of your life as well. We all need continuing strength and encouragement from God's Word and from our brothers and sisters in Christ.

If you are interested in baptism or have any questions, please contact us.