Water baptism
Why be baptized?
Those who are baptized are following Jesus' example and obeying His command.
As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased." —Matthew 3:16–17
Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you." —Matthew 28:18–20
As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased." —Matthew 3:16–17
Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you." —Matthew 28:18–20
What is the significance of baptism?
Water baptism is a public declaration of three very important things:
- You are a follower of Jesus Christ. | Acts 2:41
- You are beginning a changed life in Christ. | Romans 6:4
- You are part of a new family. | Galations 3:26–27
I have already been baptized.
Should I be baptized again?
Your baptism should have signified you becoming a follower of Jesus, beginning a changed life, and uniting with a new family. If your baptism did not reflect this change of life, then you should be baptized again.
Can my child be baptized?
We will baptize anyone who understands what baptism symbolizes and wants to make that personal public declaration. If you have a child under the age of 13 who wants to be baptized,
please e-mail our Next Steps Director as we require that children 12 and under complete a baptism workbook and interview.
please e-mail our Next Steps Director as we require that children 12 and under complete a baptism workbook and interview.
Can my infant be baptized?
Throughout the New Testament, the Bible teaches that baptism is a public expression of worship symbolizing the new life we have when we follow Jesus. In the Bible we see that Jesus' parents dedicated him to the Lord (Luke 2:22–40), and he was later baptized as an adult (Matthew 3:16–17).
We understand that some churches practice "baptism of confirmation" for children. This ceremony is intended to be a commitment between the parents and God on the behalf of the child. The parents promise to raise their child in the faith until the child is old enough to make his or her own personal confession of Christ. This custom began about 300 years after the Bible was completed and is different from the biblical examples of new believers being baptized to publicly profess their faith in Jesus.
So at Cross Church, we provide opportunities for child dedication and believer's baptism.
We understand that some churches practice "baptism of confirmation" for children. This ceremony is intended to be a commitment between the parents and God on the behalf of the child. The parents promise to raise their child in the faith until the child is old enough to make his or her own personal confession of Christ. This custom began about 300 years after the Bible was completed and is different from the biblical examples of new believers being baptized to publicly profess their faith in Jesus.
So at Cross Church, we provide opportunities for child dedication and believer's baptism.
