Baptism is an important step of obedience that shows others we have personally trusted Jesus for our salvation. Jesus was baptized when He was on the earth, and we do this to follow His example.  

Here's what baptism symbolizes: 

1. It illustrates Christ’s DEATH and resurrection. 

When Christians are baptized, they are submerged under water to identify with the death and burial of Jesus and raised out of the water to identify with His resurrection. 

‘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…” 1 Corinthians 15:3-4 NIV 

2. It illustrates your NEW LIFE as a Christian. 

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come:[a] The old has gone, the new is here!” 2 Corinthians 5:17 NIV 

“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 NIV 

Baptism doesn’t make you a believer – it shows that you already believe. Baptism doesn’t save you, only your faith in Jesus does that. Baptism is like a wedding ring – it’s that outward symbol of the commitment you made to follow Jesus in your heart.

1. To follow the example set by JESUS. 

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

2. Because Christ COMMANDED it. 

“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.” Matthew 28: 19-20.

3. It demonstrates that I really am a BELIEVER. 

“…many of the people who heard Him believed and were baptized.” Acts 18:8 “And how can we be sure that we belong to him? By obeying his commandments. ” 1 John 2:3 NLT

Every person who BELIEVES in Jesus and has accepted Him as Lord and Savior.

• “Those who believed what Peter said were baptized and added to the church.” Acts 2:41 NLT
• “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.” Acts 8:12 NIV

Children

At Restore Church we wait until children are old enough to believe and understand the meaning of baptism before we baptize them.

We “dedicate” children in a family dedication ceremony which is intended to be a covenant between the parents and God on behalf of the child. The parents promise to raise their child in the faith until the child is old enough to make their personal commitment to Jesus. This is different from the baptism that is talked about in the Bible, which was only intended for those old enough to believe. The purpose of baptism is to publicly confess your personal commitment to Jesus.

As soon as you believe! 

“Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.” Acts 2:41 “Then Philip began with that very passage of Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus. As they traveled along the road, they came to some water and the eunuch said, “Look, here is water. What can stand in the way of my being baptized?” And he gave orders to stop the chariot. Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and Philip baptized him.” Acts 8:35-38

• You will receive a t-shirt at the beginning of the service you are being baptized in. Men can wear swim trunks. Women should wear shorts. Bring a change of clothes, a towel, and a plastic bag for your wet clothes.
• You won’t need to say anything publicly. Your name will be announced and the person baptizing you will confirm you have accepted Jesus as your personal savior.
• You’ll line up and enter the left side of the baptismal, get in the water, be lowered just under that water, exit the water, dry off and can watch others and then head to the bathroom to change.
• We encourage you to invite your friends and relatives to celebrate this special occasion with you.