What is Baptism?
Baptism is an ordinance of the Church, commanded by Jesus (Matt 28:19), whereby a person is immersed in water as a symbol of:
their union with Christ in his death and burial, and being raised with him to newness of life (Rom 6:3-6; John 14:18-21; Col 2:11-15; 1 Pet 3:18-22).
The washing/cleansing/purification from sins achieved for us by Jesus (Titus 3:5; Acts 22:16).
Baptism serves as a physical sign of a spiritual reality that has been brought about through faith in Jesus, and it serves as a public expression of solidarity with and fidelity to Him.
Why should I be baptized?
Central to the mission of God, is the baptism of believers into the Triune name of God (Matthew 28:19-20). The primary reason we should be baptised, is that Jesus commanded us to baptise new disciples – the pattern of the Church, starting from the Apostles, was baptism following profession.
Along with Communion (The Lord’s Supper), baptism represents our union with Christ. As a physical expression of a spiritual reality, it becomes a means of grace to the believer, who is reminded of the work of the Gospel in their lives through this event.
In Ephesians 4:4-5, Paul provides a list of things that unite God’s family as one and he includes baptism: “There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.”
Baptism is a sign of “publicly and formally” being committing to and being enfolded into the family of God. As we are united with Christ, we are united with the Church.
The public nature of baptism serves as an encouragement to the church and as an invitation to the watching world. It testifies of God’s goodness and mercy in your life and invites others to do the same.
If you are a Christian, then you should be baptised. If you do not want to be baptised, then we should consider the words of Jesus in Matthew 10:
Matthew 10:32-33 32 So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven, 33 but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven.
Who can be baptised?
We practice what is known as believers’ baptism or Credobaptism, meaning that anyone who has made a genuine profession of faith can (and should!) be baptised.
How do we baptise?
The mode of baptism describes the way in which the baptism is administered (how it’s done). At Christ City we practice full immersion under water, for three reasons:
Lexical: The Greek word transliterated “baptism” in our Bibles literally means “to plunge, dip, immerse”
Scriptural: The examples we have in the New Testament imply going down and coming up (Mark 1:5, 1:10, Acts 8:38-39)
Theological: In addition to cleansing/washing, baptism symbolizes our union with Jesus in his death, burial and resurrection. Immersion, therefore, best reflects what is being symbolized.
* In certain circumstances where someone is unable to be immersed in water (e.g. because of a disability) we accommodate our mode to fit the practical needs of the individual.
How old do I have to be to be baptised?
We do not set a minimum age for baptism but because it requires a genuine profession of faith, the church leadership discern alongside the potential candidate (and potentially alongside parents), whether or not they are able to make such a confession. In the case of children and youth, we usually have a 6-month period of discipleship and discernment alongside one of our staff.
If you would like to be baptised, please contact perry@christcitychurch.ca