What is baptism?
Pastor Pete often says taht baptism is an outward sign of an inward faith. Baptism is the way we publicly declare our faith once we have come to know Christ. Baptism declares our faith to those within our faith community, as well as, to anyone who has not yet come to know Christ. In addition to its being a declaration of faith, baptism is deeply symbolic. As Christians, we believe that Christ died and was raised back to life three days later. When we are baptized, we are submerged under the water and brought back up. This is a symbol of Christ's death and resurrection. We are symbolically dying as we enter the water and being raised to life as we come back up. It's a beautiful picture of the beginning of our new life in Christ.
How do you baptize people at Beacon?
There are many methods of baptism used by churches around the world. These include being submerged, having water poured over your head, or being sprinkled with a small amount of water. At Beacon, we commonly hold our baptism services at a local beach. Often this is in Brigantine or Port Republic. We wade into the water and submerge those who are being baptized that day. Submersion is not a Biblically mandated method of baptism, but it is the most commonly modeled method.
Why should I be baptized?
Baptism is some we are told to do in Scripture. Jesus himself was baptized by his cousin John the Baptist. The book of Acts tells the story of the early church. In the conversion accounts we read in Acts, we find that upon conversion, new believers we almost always immediately baptized. As is mentioned above, baptism is an outward sign of an inward faith and a deeply meaningful symbol of our new life in Christ. Salvation does not rely upon baptism, but it is a step we are called to in Scripture.
I'd like to be baptized!
If you'd like to learn more about baptism or would like to be baptized, please fill out this form to let us know!
