What is Baptism?

Baptism Prerequisites?

Now that you have become a Christian you will want to continue the journey of faith and obedience to Christ in order to grow and mature. In any new journey there are important steps. One step we encourage you to take soon after accepting Christ as Savior is baptism. Christ set the example when He was baptized by John. Baptism is an act of obedience to Christ, and illustrates to others that you have chosen to follow in His steps.
Matthew 3:16-17, Luke 3:21-22, Matthew 28:19, Acts 2:41

Baptism identifies you with Christ.
Wearing a sports uniform tells everyone whose team you are supporting. A wedding ring shows everyone you are committed to your spouse and your marriage. Baptism symbolizes to everyone that you are committed to Christ. Romans 6:3

Baptism illustrates Christ's death, burial and resurrection.
When a believer is immersed below the surface into the water, it portrays to observers that Christ died and was buried. As the person is raised up out of the water, it symbolizes the resurrection of Christ. I Corinthians 15:3-4

Baptism is a picture of your new life in Christ. Baptism pictures the death of your old sinful life and of being raised to walk in newness of life in Christ. Romans 6:4-5

Is baptism necessary? The Greek word "baptizo" is where we obtain our English word "baptism." The Greek definition is "to immerse, to dip or to submerge." Only a submerged body can represent death and burial. The body being raised up out of the water provides a picture of resurrection and new life. Acts 8:38-39

How will you be baptized? You will be asked to walk into a baptismal pool. The pastor will already be waiting in the water. He will announce to those present your commitment and desire to follow Christ in baptism. Next, he will immerse you into the water, and will bring you up out of the water. In Matthew 3:16, it tells us of Christ's baptism: "After being baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water." (NASB)