BAPTISM

Baptism is an important step of obedience for ANY person who has chosen to follow Jesus.

What is Baptism?

God commands those who have become Christ-followers to identify with His death, burial, and resurrection through water baptism. Baptism is thus an outward expression of an inward truth. It’s a way to joyfully and unashamedly say to the world that you are a follower of Jesus.

WHEN SHOULD I GET BAPTIZED?

As soon as you meet Jesus and decide to follow Him, as there is no reason to wait. This is the natural next step of faith in the life of a Christ-follower. The book of Acts shows us that it was always a next step for those who had begun their relationship with Christ.

WHY SHOULD I GET BAPTIZED?

You should get baptized to joyfully take the next step of obedience in your walk with Christ. Baptism does not save you, and it does not “give you a new start.” Rather, it symbolizes the fact that Christ has already done those things in and for you. The act of Christian baptism is symbolic of being cleansed of sin and is an act of obedience in our faith journey. As one goes down into the water, it is a picture of going down into the grave and being buried. Then, coming up out of the water is a picture of being raised with Christ to walk in the newness of life.

KIDS

Baptism is a big step of obedience in the life of the believer, and we do not take it lightly. To help children and students who are not yet in sixth grade to prepare for this spiritual step, we have a workbook with questions and information. You can pick up your copy at your campus during a weekend service or at the Pickerington Campus Office (Monday – Thursday from 9AM to 5PM). 

This workbook has been written to help you determine if your child has invited Jesus to be their Savior and is ready to be baptized. This is a requirement for children in our church to be completed before they can be baptized. Once you complete the book with your child, you will find information on how to register in the book.

LEARN MORE | WATCH THE STUDENT VIDEO

STUDENTS

6TH-12TH GRADE
LEARN MORE | WATCH THE STUDENT VIDEO

CHOOSE YOUR CAMPUS BELOW TO REGISTER A STUDENT FOR BAPTISM!

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ADULTS

LEARN MORE | WATCH THE ADULT BAPTISM VIDEO

CHOOSE YOUR CAMPUS BELOW TO REGISTER FOR BAPTISM!

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Do you have questions about baptism?

Baptism is an important next step in the life of a Jesus-follower. Because it's an important step, we understand that it's important to ask questions. Click the button below to contact a staff member at your local campus and begin a conversation.

Don't have a local campus? Click one of the buttons anyway, and our team would be more than happy to talk with you.

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Baptism FAQ

We are so excited that you are considering baptism!

TO FOLLOW THE EXAMPLE SET BY CHRIST.

Mark 1:9 – At that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan.

BECAUSE CHRIST COMMANDED IT.

Matthew 28:19-20 – 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. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.

IT DEMONSTRATES THAT I REALLY AM A BELIEVER.

1 John 2:3 – We know that we have come to know him if we keep his commands.

IT IS AN OUTWARD EXAMPLE OF AN INWARD REALITY.

Titus 3:4-5 – But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit.

IT ILLUSTRATES CHRIST’S DEATH, BURIAL AND RESURRECTION.

1 Corinthians 15:3-4 – For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures.

IT ILLUSTRATES MY NEW LIFE AS A CHRISTIAN.

2 Corinthians 5:17 – Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! Romans 6:4 – 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.

BAPTISM DOESN’T MAKE YOU A CHRISTIAN.

Only your faith in Christ makes you a Christian. Baptism is like a wedding ring – it’s the outward sign of the commitment you have made in your heart.

Ephesians 2:8-9 – For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast.

BECAUSE JESUS WAS BAPTIZED THAT WAY.

Matthew 3:16 – 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.

EVERY BAPTISM IN THE BIBLE WAS BY IMMERSION.

(For example) Acts 8:38-39 – And he gave orders to stop the chariot. Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and Philip baptized him. When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord suddenly took Philip away, and the eunuch did not see him again, but went on his way rejoicing.

THE WORD “BAPTIZE” MEANS “TO DIP UNDER WATER.”

IT BEST SYMBOLIZED A BURIAL AND RESURRECTION.

See Romans 6:1-11

THE FOUNDERS OF THE MAJOR DENOMINATIONS AGREE:

“I would have those who are to be baptized to be entirely immersed, as the word imports and the mystery signifies.” – Martin Luther (founder of Lutheran denomination)

“The word ‘baptize’ signifies to immerse. It is certain that immersion was the practice of the ancient church.” – John Calvin (founder of Presbyterian denomination)

“‘Buried with Him’ alludes to baptizing by immersion according to the custom of the first church.” – John Wesley (founder of Methodist and Wesleyan denominations)

The three-fold action of triune immersion paints a beautiful picture of who God is, as it depicts the unity of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.

Every person who has believed in Christ should be baptized. A believer is someone who has realized that their sin separated them from God. They have given up all efforts to reach God through good works or religious activity. They have concluded that Jesus Christ’s death on the cross for their sins is the only thing that can bridge the gap between them and God. A believer is someone who has decided to trust Christ alone for their salvation. If you have come to that point in your spiritual journey, then you are ready to be baptized. (See Acts 2:41, 8:12-13)

AS SOON AS YOU HAVE BELIEVED.

Acts 8:12 – But when they believed Philip as he proclaimed the good news of the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.

No, but the Bible teaches that baptism should follow your decision to become a believer. There is no reason to delay. If you wait until you are “good” enough, you will never feel ready for baptism.

The New Testament shows no example of baptism when the person did not request it. All instances of baptism followed an individual’s decision to trust Christ alone for their salvation (Acts 2:41, 8:12, 10:47-48). At Grace Fellowship we wait until the child is old enough to believe and understand the true meaning of baptism before we baptize them. When a child makes a decision for Christ, we gladly baptize them into the Christian faith.

In the Bible we find parents bringing children to Jesus. He held them and prayed for them and told us to welcome them. But he did not baptize them, and he did not tell anyone else to baptize them. So it seems more Biblical to wait until after a personal decision to trust Christ as Savior has been made by the child. If baptism is a public profession of salvation (as the Bible teaches), only people who have intentionally received salvation should experience baptism.

If you have not experienced adult baptism, even though you have experienced baptism as an infant, the full meaning and significance of baptism has yet to take place in your life. We strongly encourage you to be baptized as an adult believer in Christ.

WHAT DO I WEAR?

Dress in clothes you don’t mind getting wet! You should wear a dark shirt and shorts. Remember to bring a towel and a change of clothes to wear after the baptism. We will provide a t-shirt for you. You may wear this to be

baptized in or you can change into it following baptism.

WHAT IF I WANT MY GROUP LEADER OR SPIRITUAL MENTOR TO BAPTIZE ME?

We can accommodate that within certain parameters. Please be sure to make us aware of that request during your registration process.

WHAT DO I DO?

Meet at the church at least 30 minutes before the baptism

is scheduled to begin. A pastor or staff member will meet with you in a group to

walk you through the baptism events. Be sure to invite your friends and family so they can celebrate this exciting event with you!

WHAT IF I CAN’T PHYSICALLY GET INTO THE BAPTISM TANK?

We can accommodate that. Please be sure to make us aware of that request during your registration process.