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 2:37-39, (Acts 16:31-34; Romans 6:1-5; 1 Corinthians 12:12-13)
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?
Why does baptism matter? Jesus commanded to us go and make disciples of all nations, and to baptize them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy spirit. Jesus modeled obedience to God's Word by being baptized himself, even though he had no sin to be cleansed from. (Matthew 28:18-20, Matthew 3:13:16).
Obedience to Jesus shows we believe and follow Him. (John 15:10; 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).
3. When’s the best time to be baptized?
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, 22:16).
4. Do you baptize children?
The Global Methodist Church believes all ages are appropriate for baptism. We at Andrew support that belief but encourage families to wait until children have matured enough to decide to follow Christ on their own. As parents, grandparents, family members and friends, we are to help point our children to Jesus, but they are the ones to decide if they will commit their lives to Him (Romans 10:9).
5. What’s the difference between immersing, sprinkling and other ways of baptizing?
The controversy over methods of baptism have much more to do with tradition than scripture. God is fully capable of specifying the exact amount of water necessary for baptism; however nowhere in scripture is such an amount given. However, there is clear evidence that whenever sufficient water was available the early church baptized by immersion but when it was not (as it was not and is sill not in parts of the Holy Land, the methods of pouring or sprinkling were employed. (Matthew 3:16, Mark 1:10). We at Andrew acknowledge that all three methods of baptism are valid. Our practice is to utilize full immersion except in cases where there is a compelling reason not to, such as deathbed professions of faith, otherly- abled persons where immersion would not be safe or is otherwise impractical, medical equipment that would be damaged by immersion.
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).
6. Do I need to be baptized again?
No. If you have been baptized by any method in a recognized Christian congregation there is no need to repeat the sacrament. The power in baptism is from God and not hindered by the human administration of nor the physical circumstances in which the sacrament was administered.
Is baptism your next step? Let us know in the comments section of your connection card in any worship service or send an email to andrewchurch2430@gmail.com.