WATER BAPTISM
"And now what are you waiting for? Get up, be baptized and wash your sins away, calling on His name."
Acts 22:16
The Bible clearly teaches that baptism is the first step of obedience after making a commitment to Christ. Baptism allows a believer to communicate to the world their heart-felt commitment to Christ. Water Baptisms happen periodically throughout the year at Elevate Church.
Fill out the form below to let us know you’re interested in getting baptized and a member of our team will contact you with more information!
WATER BAPTISM Q & A
People often have questions regarding baptism:
Why should I be baptized?
I’ve already been baptized. Do I have to do it again?
Does it matter if someone is sprinkled or dunked?
If you have questions about baptism, take a few minutes and read the Water Baptism Q&A below.
WHY SHOULD I BE BAPTIZED?
1. TO FOLLOW THE EXAMPLE SET BY CHRIST. “At that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee 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 NIV 3. IT DEMONSTRATES I AM A BELIEVER. “We know that we have come to know Him if we obey His commands.” 1 John 2:3 NIV
WHAT IS THE MEANING OF BAPTISM?
WATER BAPTISM ILLUSTRATES CHRIST’S DEATH, BURIAL, AND 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…” 1 Corinthians 15:3-4 NIV “Having been buried with Him in baptism and raised with Him through your faith in the power of God, who raised Him from the dead.” Colossians 2:12 NIV
WHY SHOULD I BE BAPTIZED BY IMMERSION?
1. BECAUSE JESUS WAS BAPTIZED THAT WAY. “As soon as Jesus was baptized, He went up out of the water.” Matthew 3:16a NIV “Just as Jesus was coming up out of the water…” Mark 1:10 NIV 2. EVERY BAPTISM IN THE BIBLE WAS BY IMMERSION. For example: “Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water, and Philip baptized him. When they came up out of the water…” Acts 8:38-39 NIV 3. THE WORD BAPTIZE MEANS “TO DIP OR IMMERSE.” 4. IT BEST SYMBOLIZED A BURIAL AND RESURRECTION. “Or 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 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 6:3-4 NIV
WHAT IS THE MEANING OF BAPTISM?
WATER BAPTISM ILLUSTRATES CHRIST’S DEATH, BURIAL, AND 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…” 1 Corinthians 15:3-4 NIV “Having been buried with Him in baptism and raised with Him through your faith in the power of God, who raised Him from the dead.” Colossians 2:12 NIV
WHO SHOULD BE BAPTIZED?
BAPTISM IS AN IMPORTANT STEP OF OBEDIENCE THAT SHOWS OTHERS THAT SOMEONE HAS PERSONALLY TRUSTED JESUS FOR THEIR SALVATION. Every person who believes in Jesus should be baptized. Having decided to trust Jesus alone for their salvation, they follow Him in baptism as a symbol of their new life in Him. "Those who accepted His message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.” Acts 2:41 NIV “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 28:19 NIV
WHAT ABOUT CHILDREN?
ALL INSTANCES OF BAPTISM FOLLOW AN INDIVIDUAL’S DECISION TO TRUST JESUS ALONE FOR THEIR SALVATION. Parents, we’re so excited that you’re considering baptism for your child! Every child can have a personal relationship with Jesus, and, at ElevateKIDS, we encourage each child to make a decision to follow Him. Our children are encouraged not just to learn about Jesus, but to learn from Him by walking with Him every day. We advise parents to wait until their child is asking to be water baptized. This is usually a good indication that they’re ready to be baptized, because this will be a huge spiritual milestone in their life. While younger children can have a relationship with Jesus, they won’t necessarily remember or understand the significance of the event. We encourage parents to wait for baptism until they are 10 years or older. When a child makes a decision for Christ, we gladly baptize them as a symbol of their faith in Christ. “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
WHAT ABOUT INFANT BAPTISMS?
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 to baptize them. Baptism is a public profession of salvation, (as the Bible teaches), and 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.
WHEN SHOULD I BE BAPTIZED?
AS SOON AS YOU HAVE BELIEVED IN CHRIST FOR SALVATION. “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
SHOULD I BE BAPTIZED IMMEDIATELY AFTER ACCEPTING CHRIST?
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. Since baptism is not a part of your salvation but a symbol of it, it is okay to wait until the next scheduled baptism.
CAN I START SERVING BEFORE I AM BAPTIZED?
If you have not yet been baptized by immersion after salvation, baptism is your next step. HOWEVER, YOU DO NOT HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL YOU ARE BAPTIZED TO BEGIN SERVING. We want you to schedule your baptism, but we also want you to get plugged in and begin to serve.
CAN I BE BAPTIZED AGAIN IF I HAVE BEEN BAPTIZED BEFORE?
IF YOU HAVE NOT BEEN BAPTIZED BY IMMERSION SINCE ASKING JESUS INTO YOUR LIFE, YOUR NEXT STEP IS BAPTISM. If you have been baptized since asking Jesus into your life, there is no need to be baptized again.
WHAT SHOULD I WEAR?
DRESS IN CLOTHES YOU DON’T MIND GETTING WET. You should wear a dark shirt and shorts, (trust us.) Remember to bring a change of clothes to wear home. There is a changing room available. Please bring a towel. Arrive 30 minutes before your baptism is scheduled to begin for some last-minute instructions.
HOW DO I REGISTER?
REGISTER BELOW OR AT THE HUB DURING A WEEKEND WORSHIP EXPERIENCE AT ELEVATE. Then we will contact you with our upcoming baptism service dates.