Do you ever wonder why Christians are dunked in water in front of a bunch of other people? Or if there are requirements to be baptized? Read on!

Who Should Be Baptized?

If you have accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, then you are ready to be baptized. We understand Scripture to teach that only professing believers qualify for baptism. Christians believe that the blood of Jesus Christ, shed on the cross, provides the sole basis for the forgiveness of sin. Therefore, salvation occurs only when a person places his or her faith in the death and resurrection of Christ as the sufficient payment for his or her sin. Baptism does not make you a believer; rather, it shows that you already believe.

Why Water Baptism?

Following faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, the new convert is commanded by the Word of God to be baptized in water in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19; Acts 2:28; Mark 16:16; Acts 8:12, 26-38; 10:47-48).

Because Jesus instructed us to be baptized, baptism is an act of obedience. While it is not necessary for salvation, it demonstrates submission to God. We immerse in water because we believe Scripture shows that Jesus modeled that for us as the way to publicly acknowledge our faith in him.

What Baptism Symbolizes

Baptism is a way of showing others that you have entered into a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

It symbolizes what took place in your heart at the time of salvation:

• You accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.
• You shared in his death and resurrection, illustrated through baptism by going under the water (dead to your old life), then rising again (new life).
• You were symbolically washed clean, and your sins were forgiven by his death on the cross.

Want to be baptized?

We schedule baptisms here at MHCC a couple of times a year. You can sign up online any time to be on the list for our next Baptism Sunday.

Please contact Community Life Pastor Jason Harris at 406-449-7771 if you have any questions about baptism.