Water Baptism at Newsong
The first story in the Gospel of Mark about Jesus is his baptism. The very last thing He did was to give His followers the direction to make disciples and baptize them. One of the best accounts of the early Christian church, Acts, contains many examples of water baptism. In fact, as soon as someone makes a decision to follow Jesus, they start looking for water. Water baptism was integral to Jesus and His followers. At Newsong, we desire to follow the biblical model for baptism.
Why should I be water baptized?
1. To be obedient
You should be water baptized in order to be obedient to Jesus Christ. We are commanded to be baptized as one of our first acts of surrender to Jesus. Baptism should be a priority for followers of Jesus.
You do not need to be baptized to be saved. Water baptism is an outward work of obedience to Jesus Christ after a person’s individual decision to repent and trust him for salvation. We are saved by grace alone, through faith alone in Christ alone for salvation. None of our human efforts can enhance the work of Christ on the cross.
2. To be a witness
Baptism in water is the outward sign of the inward work of God’s grace. It is an opportunity to profess your belief in Jesus and your commitment to follow Him. In the early church, it was a way in which Jesus' disciples were identified.
3. To be symbolic
Symbolize your cleansing from sin
One of the terms used to indicate that a person had repented or turned away from sin was “washed from their sin.” the waters of baptism symbolize the inward spiritual reality of the cleansing of our conscience, not the cleansing of the body from dirt.
Baptism symbolizes your union with Jesus.
The act of baptism—being immersed under the water and coming up out of the water—is a picture of what happens to you spiritually. Being immersed in water and coming up out of the water symbolizes the fact that we have died to our sin, and have began a new life. This identifies us with Jesus as He died, was buried and was resurrected from the dead.
How should I be water baptized?
We believe it should be full immersion for two reasons:
People, including Jesus, got in the water when they were baptized in the New Testament.
The Greek word for baptism means to wash, to dip or to dye.
We believe that a full on washing also best symbolizes how Jesus washes us completely. Peter's words seem to sum it up best, "Then, Lord," Simon Peter replied, "not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!" We baptize by immersion unless there are other circumstances that would lead us to do otherwise (physical handicap, sickness, etc.).
When should I be baptized?
As soon as you become a Christian. Again, people in the bible were saved and immediately looked for some water! We don’t get baptized to be a Christian, we get baptized because we are a Christian.
Should I be baptized again?
We believe that Christ followers should only be baptized once. There are some instances in which being baptized again would be appropriate.
If your baptism was merely a religious ritual conducted before you had a personal relationship with Jesus, it would be very meaningful to be baptized with Jesus as your Lord and Savior.
If you were baptized as a very young person and the choice was not your own. Baptism is an outward sign of an inward commitment. We believe that no one can make that commitment for you. At Newsong we dedicate babies to God, but we would not baptize anyone unless they were able to convey the significance and meaning of what they were doing.
If you were baptized or sprinkled as an infant, give thanks to your parents for their heart to bless you spiritually, but what they were really doing was dedicating you to God. Your baptism as an adult can be viewed as the fulfillment of your parents’ wishes. In no way does it disrespect the baptism you received as a child.
What will I have to do? Baptism is a public confession so there are two things Newsong requires from baptism candidates: 1) You must profess Jesus (Romans 10:9 If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.) 2) State why you personally want to be baptized.
Bible references: John 13:9; Mark 1:9-11; Mark 16:15-16; Matthew 28:19: Titus 3:5; Ephesians 2:8-10; 1 Peter 3:21; Romans 6:1-4; Acts 2:41;8:12;10:47-48.
If you are interested in being baptized, please fill out this form.
Why should I be water baptized?
1. To be obedient
You should be water baptized in order to be obedient to Jesus Christ. We are commanded to be baptized as one of our first acts of surrender to Jesus. Baptism should be a priority for followers of Jesus.
You do not need to be baptized to be saved. Water baptism is an outward work of obedience to Jesus Christ after a person’s individual decision to repent and trust him for salvation. We are saved by grace alone, through faith alone in Christ alone for salvation. None of our human efforts can enhance the work of Christ on the cross.
2. To be a witness
Baptism in water is the outward sign of the inward work of God’s grace. It is an opportunity to profess your belief in Jesus and your commitment to follow Him. In the early church, it was a way in which Jesus' disciples were identified.
3. To be symbolic
Symbolize your cleansing from sin
One of the terms used to indicate that a person had repented or turned away from sin was “washed from their sin.” the waters of baptism symbolize the inward spiritual reality of the cleansing of our conscience, not the cleansing of the body from dirt.
Baptism symbolizes your union with Jesus.
The act of baptism—being immersed under the water and coming up out of the water—is a picture of what happens to you spiritually. Being immersed in water and coming up out of the water symbolizes the fact that we have died to our sin, and have began a new life. This identifies us with Jesus as He died, was buried and was resurrected from the dead.
How should I be water baptized?
We believe it should be full immersion for two reasons:
People, including Jesus, got in the water when they were baptized in the New Testament.
The Greek word for baptism means to wash, to dip or to dye.
We believe that a full on washing also best symbolizes how Jesus washes us completely. Peter's words seem to sum it up best, "Then, Lord," Simon Peter replied, "not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!" We baptize by immersion unless there are other circumstances that would lead us to do otherwise (physical handicap, sickness, etc.).
When should I be baptized?
As soon as you become a Christian. Again, people in the bible were saved and immediately looked for some water! We don’t get baptized to be a Christian, we get baptized because we are a Christian.
Should I be baptized again?
We believe that Christ followers should only be baptized once. There are some instances in which being baptized again would be appropriate.
If your baptism was merely a religious ritual conducted before you had a personal relationship with Jesus, it would be very meaningful to be baptized with Jesus as your Lord and Savior.
If you were baptized as a very young person and the choice was not your own. Baptism is an outward sign of an inward commitment. We believe that no one can make that commitment for you. At Newsong we dedicate babies to God, but we would not baptize anyone unless they were able to convey the significance and meaning of what they were doing.
If you were baptized or sprinkled as an infant, give thanks to your parents for their heart to bless you spiritually, but what they were really doing was dedicating you to God. Your baptism as an adult can be viewed as the fulfillment of your parents’ wishes. In no way does it disrespect the baptism you received as a child.
What will I have to do? Baptism is a public confession so there are two things Newsong requires from baptism candidates: 1) You must profess Jesus (Romans 10:9 If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.) 2) State why you personally want to be baptized.
Bible references: John 13:9; Mark 1:9-11; Mark 16:15-16; Matthew 28:19: Titus 3:5; Ephesians 2:8-10; 1 Peter 3:21; Romans 6:1-4; Acts 2:41;8:12;10:47-48.
If you are interested in being baptized, please fill out this form.