OCTOBER 20th Sign Up Form!

1. WHAT IS BAPTISM?

Baptism is an outward expression of an inward change. It’s a public declaration of how Jesus

changed your life. Being baptized shows others that you’ve decided to follow Jesus, and

allows them to celebrate this decision with you (Acts 16:31-34). Baptism doesn’t save a

person; it’s a symbol and celebration of salvation (1 Peter 3:21). The power that brought Jesus

back to life is the same power Jesus uses to change our lives – and that’s worth getting excited

about!

2. WHY SHOULD I BE BAPTIZED?

Jesus instructs us to be baptized and set the example by being baptized (Matthew 28:19-20,

Mark 1:9). Obedience to Jesus shows we believe and follow Him. (1 John 2:3). Because Jesus

went public about His love for us, we can go public about our love for Him. Being baptized

shows that we turn away from a life of sin toward Jesus, the only one who can change us (Acts

2:38-41). For everyone who decides to follow Jesus, baptism is the next step. Anyone who

commits his or her life to following Jesus is ready to be baptized (Acts 8:12).

3. DO YOU BAPTIZE CHILDREN?

As parents, we can help point our children to Jesus, but they are the ones to decide if they will

commit their lives to Him (Romans 10:9). Any instance of baptism follows a person’s decision

to trust Jesus for his or her salvation and commitment to follow Him (Acts 10:47-48). At

GracePoint, we wait until children are old enough to express their own decision to follow Jesus

and understand the meaning of baptism. We ask that children be 5th grade and above to be baptized.

4. WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN IMMERSING AND SPRINKLING?

Baptisms in the Bible were by immersion. The original word for baptism most often referred to

being immersed or submerged in water. Jesus was baptized by being immersed in the water

and rising out of it (Matthew 3:16, Mark 1:10).

Submersion in the water symbolizes the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus (1 Corinthians

15:3-4). Being submersed underwater represents our death to sin and old way of life, and

being raised out of the water is a picture of how Jesus raised us and gave us a fresh start in life

(Romans 6:3-5).

5. WHAT IF I DECIDE DURING SERVICE AND I DON'T COME PREPARED?

Although many people will prepare and plan for their baptism, others won’t make the decision

until on the spot Sunday night...AND WE WILL BE READY! The changing rooms will be stocked

full of extra new towels, new flip-flops, new shorts, t-shirts, make-up remover, hair dryers, hair

ties, deodorant, hair gel, etc. We want to remove every possible excuse on our end so that

people can concentrate on one of the biggest moments of their life.