GURNEE
SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH
BAPTISM
What is the Biblical foundation for Baptism?
Jesus' final recorded words to His followers before His ascension to heaven express the importance He placed on Baptism. In Matthew 28:19, Jesus commands His followers, “go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”
Baptism does not provide salvation for an individual, but rather serves to identify publicly the individual as a follower of Christ. In passages such as Acts 2:41, 8:12, and 10:47–48, the act of Baptism follows an individual’s decision to trust in Jesus Christ alone for salvation. The New Testament records the Baptisms of adult believers only. In Romans 6:1–11, the apostle Paul describes the immersion of Baptism as a means through which the believer identifies with the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ: Going under the water represents Christ’s death and a believer's death to sin; coming out of the water illustrates His resurrection and the believer's new life in Christ.
Baptism is an act of obedience to Christ that follows an individual's acceptance of salvation by God's grace alone. Baptism isn't a prerequisite for salvation; however, if an inner commitment to trust Christ alone for salvation has been made, then the outward symbol of that commitment—Baptism—should follow, as is modeled throughout the New Testament in the lives of those choosing to follow Christ.
Am I spiritually ready for Baptism?
Once someone professes faith in Jesus Christ for salvation, the Bible says they should proclaim the life change that has occurred—the watching world needs to know. Baptism has always stood as a public testimony for people who have become believers in Christ.
Believers are those who have realized that their sins have separated them from God. They have given up all efforts to reach God through their own good works or religious activity. They have concluded that Jesus Christ’s death on the cross for their sins is the only thing that can bridge the gap between them and God. A believer is someone who has decided to trust Christ alone for his or her salvation.
If you have come to this point in your spiritual journey, then you are ready to be baptized. Let the miracle that has happened in you show through the sacrament He ordained for you.How do I get baptized at Curnee SDA Church?
If you are ready to get baptized, you will need to complete the following three steps:
STEP ONE:
Let someone know about your desire to be baptized.You can speak to a pastor by calling the church office or you can check the appropriate box on the pink cards in the pew. A pastor will then call you about planning for your baptism.
STEP TWO:
Prepare for Baptism. A pastor will study with you the meaning of baptism and how it is the entrance to a fulfilling life with Christ and his family, the church.
STEP THREE:
Get Baptized! Baptisms are very special in our church and are done during our second worship service. We try to make a special introduction of each candidate to our congregation. Your new church family will rejoice after you come up from the water and your friends in the church will greet you at the edge of the baptismal pool.