Saddleback Church: Ministries: Baptism

Celebrate your new life in Christ by obeying Jesus' command to be baptized. Jesus told us to be baptized in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Baptism doesn't save you, but it does show the world that you have been saved. It's not required for salvation, but it is a biblical command and demonstrates your love and obedience to Christ. Baptism by immersion symbolizes the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus, and it's your public declaration that you have started a new life by accepting Jesus as your personal Savior. We're all set up to baptize you.

If you'd like to be baptized, select a location below.

Why Should I Be Baptized?

What is the Meaning of Baptism?

Who Should Be Baptized?

How Am I To Be Baptized?

Jesus was baptized, so by getting baptized, we're following his example.

'At that time Jesus came from Nazareth . . . and was baptized by John in the Jordan [River]. Mark 1:9

Jesus commanded that his followers be baptized.

"[Jesus said,] 'Go then, to all peoples everywhere and make them my disciples, baptize them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and teach them to obey everything I have commanded you.'" Matthew 28:19-20

Baptism is your public declaration of faith in Jesus.

". . . many of the Corinthians who heard [him] believed and were baptized." Acts 18:8

Getting baptized shows that you know Jesus on a personal level.

"We know that we have come to know Him, if we keep His commandments." 1 John 2:3

It's a symbol of Jesus' burial and resurrection.

"Christ died for our sins . . . he was buried . . . And he rose again."—1 Corinthians 15:3, 4

"For when you were baptized, you were buried with Christ, and in baptism you were also raised with Christ."—Colossians 2:12

It's a symbol of your new life as a Christian.

"Anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!"—2 Corinthians 5:17

"By our baptism, then, we were buried with him and shared his death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from death . . . we also might live a new life."—Romans 6:4

Baptism does not make you a believer — it shows that you already are one! Baptism does not "save" you, only your faith in Christ does that. Baptism is like a wedding ring. It's the outward symbol of an inward commitment you've made in your heart.

"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith… it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast."—Ephesians 2:8, 9

Like Jesus was baptized — by being immersed in water.

"As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water."—Matthew 3:16

Every baptism recorded in the Bible was done in water.

"Then both Philip and the (man) went down into the water and Philip baptized him. When they came up out of the water . . ."—Acts 8:38, 39

The word "baptize" literally means "to dip under water." The Greek word "baptizo" means "to immerse or dip under water."

It's the best way to depict Jesus' burial and resurrection.

Check out what these famous Christians have said about water baptism.

Martin Luther—"I would have those who are to be baptized to be entirely immersed, as the word imports and the mystery signifies."

John Calvin—"The word 'baptize' signifies to immerse. It is certain that immersion was the practice of the ancient church."

John Wesley—"Buried with Him, alluding to baptizing by immersion according to the custom of the first church."

Every person who has made the decision to believe in Christ should be baptized.

"Those who accepted his message were baptized."—Acts 2:41

"But when they believed Philip as he preached good news . . . and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women."—Acts 8:12

"Simon himself believed and was baptized . . ."—Acts 8:13

The one requirement for baptism is belief in Jesus! This is why we don't baptize children until they're old enough to understand and believe for themselves.

Baptism

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