Are you ready to be baptized?

That's a question that a lot of folks who are part of this church family have asked themselves, and each other, over the years. It's one that comes out of a different setting than would have been the case in the early generations of the New Testament church.

When someone faced that decision in the formative days of the early church (as we read in the book of Acts), it meant, "Are you ready to trust that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, to leave pagan gods, to acknowledge that He is the promised Messiah?"

Baptism was the dramatic confession that Jesus died, buried, and was resurrected three days later. "This is what I believe!"

Today it is all that still. It is trust, resignation, a turning, announcement of faith, and an act of surrender to the crucified and resurrected Jesus Christ. However, many people have been raised in families that believe in Jesus and have sought to follow Him; but they have been part of churchly traditions that have practiced baptism differently from that experienced in the early church.

As infants, they were baptized — something that began a few hundred years after New Testament times in the Roman Catholic tradition, which began to teach that babies were born sinners, who needed salvation through baptism. Many generations later the same group began to practice sprinkling for baptism, apparently for convenience. (The Greek Orthodox Church still immerses infants).

When the Protestant Reformation occurred in the early 1500's, many things in the Roman Catholic church were changed. With the exception of the Anabaptists (who returned to the New Testament form of baptism); however, the reformers continued to practice both sprinkling and infant baptism, but the reason behind the practice changed. They no longer baptized babies for the purpose of salvation, but as an act of dedication on the part of the parents.

This little history recital is mentioned simply to say that we face a situation today that the first church did not. Near the end of the gospel of Mark, Jesus is quoted as saying, "Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned (Mark 16:16)."

What if I believe, but have not been baptized as a believer? Please don't think that I'm being simplistic when I suggest that each of us read the accounts in the book of Acts that describe those who accepted the gospel. See that they believed in Jesus and that they are baptized as an expression of that faith — and believe, and be baptized.

Do I have to be baptized?

Occasionally someone will ask that question, but, honestly, it's not a very good one. If, upon reading the gospels, I hear Jesus say, "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)" -- I will want to do that.

The apostle Peter said, to the conscience-stricken believers on the day of Pentecost, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins (Acts 2:38)."

The world apostle Paul, in recounting (for the third time) his conversion experience, quoted his spiritual guide, Ananias: "And now what are you waiting for? Get up, be baptized and wash your sins away, calling on His name (Acts 22:16)."

Jesus said to do it. Peter said to do it. Paul said, "I did it." It seems rather strange for me to ask, "Do I have to?"

Who is the proper candidate for baptism?

If I believe in my heart that God raised Jesus from the dead, and am ready to confess before others that He is Lord (Romans 10:9-10), and if I repent, and let God take me over from myself (II Peter 3:9), I am ready to be baptized. I understand who God is; I comprehend that I have sinned (failed to obey his standards). And I have come to know Jesus. Most of us who were raised in Christian families begin taking that matter very seriously between the ages of eight and twelve. Quite a few who are part of our church family had been ready in their hearts for quite a while, and upon hearing the call to believer's baptism (at many ages, from twenty to ninety) were more than ready to do that.

Is it necessary to have my baptism as part of the Sunday morning services?

No! In the book of Acts, there are very public baptisms, small group gatherings by the riverside, and an experience in a pond beside the road when there may have been only the candidate and his teacher present. The congregation likes it best when they can support and celebrate with the believer; but if it will be a more meaningful and thoughtful expression of faith in a quieter, more private setting, we are pleased to do that.

Do I need to tell you before I come to make my confession of Christ and to be baptized?

No! Some of our ministry members are ready to greet you any Sunday, and we are ready for baptisms any time. If you have made a determination, though, for a particular time, and will tell us ahead of time, there are some plans that can be made in the service to more readily accommodate your baptism. But a spontaneous response, when it is just the right time for your commitment, is great!

What special clothing do I need?

Baptismal robes, undergarments, towels, handkerchiefs, and footwear are all available in the robing areas on both the women's and men's sides. If you wish to bring your own clothing, that is fine, too.

You may have other questions. If so, please be in touch with any staff member or elder. We would be delighted to think through with you this faith-response to Christ.