What is Baptism?

Water Baptism is an outward declaration of a decision in your heart to follow Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord of your life. Not only does the Bible command us to be baptized but Jesus himself was water baptized. We are simply following his example in doing the same. It is the next step after meeting Jesus personally!

“When all the people were baptized, it came to pass that Jesus also was baptized…” Luke 3:21

“And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord.” -Acts 10:48

Why do we Immerse?

Baptisms in the Bible were by immersion. The original word for baptism most often referred to being immersed or submerged in water. Jesus was baptized by being immersed in the water and rising out of it (Matthew 3:16, Mark 1:10).

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).

Should my young or infant child be water baptized or dedicated?

We sometimes receive inquiries from families asking whether their very young (or even infant) children should be water baptized. Jesus told us to go make disciples and to baptize them (Matthew 28:19). Throughout the New Testament we see that only those making a commitment of faith in Jesus as their Savior were ever baptized (Acts 2:38-41; Acts 8:12, 36-38, Acts 9:10; Acts 10:47; Acts 16:11-15, 31-33; Acts 19:1-5).

Since it’s not possible for an infant or very young child to understand such things it would not be appropriate for them to be baptized until they have gotten older. However, what we do see pertaining to children, even infants and very young children, are instances in the Bible of them being “dedicated” to God. Jesus Himself was dedicated, or “presented” to God as an infant and He Himself took children up into His own arms and “blessed” them (Luke 2:22; Luke 18:15-17; Matthew 19:13-15; Mark 10:13-16).

 It would be very appropriate therefore to have your infant or young child “Dedicated” here at Victory Church and then later on, when they are old enough to have made that personal commitment of faith in Jesus for themselves, to be baptized. Read more tips for talking to your kids about baptism.