Water Baptism
Water Baptism
AN OUTWARD DECLARATION
OF AN INWARD TRANSFORMATION
“Christ died for our sins… He was buried… and He rose again.” 1 Cor. 15:3-4
“For when you were baptized, you were buried with Christ, and in baptism, you were also raised with Christ.” Colossians 2:12
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Water Baptism
Next Baptism: Sunday, June 8
Our next water baptism opportunity takes place during our in-person gathering. Sign up for details and an opportunity to ask questions about water baptism.
A “Water Baptism Class” starts at 8:30 AM and with the Baptism taking place after the 9:00 AM Sunday Service that morning.
BEING WATER BAPTIZED, YOU ARE:
QUESTIONS ABOUT BAPTISM
WHY BE BAPTIZED BY IMMERSION IN WATER?
Every baptism in the Bible was by immersion. (Example) “…then both Philip and the man went down into the water and Philip baptized him. When they came up out of the water…” Acts 8:38-39
The word Baptize means “To dip under water”. The Greek work Baptizo means “To immerse or dip under water”. It best symbolized a burial and resurrection!
WHO SHOULD BE BAPTIZED?
“Those who believe and accepted His message were baptized…” Acts 2:41
“Simon himself believed and was baptized…” Acts 8:13
“But when they believed Philip as he preached the Good News… and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.” Acts 8:12
If the purpose of Baptism is to publicly identify a believer in Jesus Christ, you may well be asking yourself, “What was the significance of my Baptism if I was baptized as a baby?” In the Bible, we find parents bringing their 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. Baptism is for those who have made a personal decision to trust and follow Christ alone.
If you were baptized as a child, it was the intent of your parents that you would one day be a follower of Christ. Your Baptism as an adult can be viewed as the fulfilment of your parents’ wishes. It in no way repudiates the Baptism you received as a child.
You do not have to be baptized to have Christ in your heart any more than you must exchange rings to be pronounced man and wife. But if the inner commitment to trust Christ alone for salvation has been made, then the outward symbol of Baptism should be as valued and as visible as the ring on a newlywed’s finger.
At Portland Christian Center we want our children to be old enough to believe and understand the true meaning of baptism before baptism might be offered. We let parents discern with their own children when they are ready.
WHEN SHOULD I BE BAPTIZED?
“Those who believe…were baptized…that day!” Acts 2:41
“Then Philip began with the scripture and told him the Good News about Jesus. As they travelled along the road, they came to some water, and the man said, ´Look, here is water! Why shouldn’t I be baptized right now?´ Philip said, ´If you believe with all your heart, you may.´ The man answered, ´I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.´ So they went down into the water and Philip baptized him.” Acts 8:35-38
What We Believe
We practice baptism by immersion in water, which is the way Jesus was baptized and the way the Bible describes.
In the days of the early church, thousands of people came to believe in Jesus Christ and just as quickly were baptized in water as a visible sign of their internal commitment. At Portland Christian Center, we believe that as soon as you make a commitment to be a follower of Christ, you need to be baptized, and our goal is to provide you with as many opportunities as possible to do that.
MARK 1:9-10
“At that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. Just as Jesus was coming up out of the water, he saw heaven being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove.”
MATTHEW 28:19
“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.”
MATTHEW 10:32-33
“Whoever acknowledges me before others, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven. But whoever disowns me before others, I will disown before my Father in heaven.”
What can I expect?
CLASS INFO
We will have a short baptism class we would like you to attend at 10:00 AM on the Sunday you are being baptized. The class will be taught by our Deacons or Pastor and will include a brief reminder of what biblical baptism is as well as the logistics for how you will be baptized that day.
WHAT TO WEAR
Please bring a dry change of clothes to wear after you are baptized. You will be given one of our latest PCC t-shirts to wear while you are baptized. If you have completed Grow Track and already received your t-shirt, please wear it along with dark colored pants (no shorts please). We will provide towels that you can leave with us.
WHEN BAPTISMS TAKE PLACE
Our immersion baptisms take place in the baptism tank on Sunday morning during our 10:30 AM gatherings. You will receive more information and instructions in the class.
WHO TO INVITE
We encourage you to invite relatives and friends to attend your baptism. This is a great time to celebrate what is central to your life. Most people even non-believers are generally happy to attend.