What is baptism?

Who do we baptize?

a.    Only those with faith in Jesus Christ may be baptized.

· So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls. –Acts 2:41

· But when they believed Philip as he preached good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. – Acts 8:12

· Having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead. – Colossians 2:12

 b.    UBC does not practice infant baptism

Why do we baptize?

a.    Baptism does NOT save you

· For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. – Ephesians 2:8-9 

b.    We are baptized because Jesus commands it

· Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age. – Matthew 28:19-20

c.    We are baptized to begin a life of obedience to Christ

· And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments. – 1 John 2:3 

d.    We are baptized to identify with Christ

· For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. – Galatians 3:27

e.    We are baptized to identify with Christ’s experience

· Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. – Romans 6:3-4

How do we baptize?

a.    We baptize by immersion because that’s the pattern we see in Scripture

· In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. And when he came up out of the water, immediately he saw the heavens being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. -Mark 1:9

· John also was baptizing at Aenon near Salim, because water was plentiful there, and people were coming and being baptized. – John 3:23

 b.    We baptize by immersion because that’s what the word “baptize” means

· baptize means to immerse

c.    We baptize by immersion because it symbolizes death and resurrection

d.    We do not recognize baptism by sprinkling as being sufficient for membership in our church

e.    We baptize with the church

What will baptism be like?

a.    What to wear:

· UBC T-shirt

· Dark pants

· Easy to remove shoes/socks

b.    What to bring:

· A towel

· Your testimony

· A change of clothes

c.    You will be baptized in the baptismal tub on the front of the auditorium stage in heated water

d.    Plan to sit with your arms crossed in front of you

What happens next?

a.    Please fill out the “I Want To Get Baptized” form below.

b.    A member of the staff will contact you for a one-on-one meeting

c.    After your baptism, the church will vote on your membership 

d.    Once you are a member, get involved at church!

Sermon About Baptism