Marriage at Saddleback exists to help equip, empower, renew, and heal marriages. We seek to build up fun and fulfilling relationships, setting marriages up to win! We’re here to come alongside you— whatever stage your marriage is in.
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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
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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
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Baptism is your public declaration of faith in Jesus.
". . . many of the Corinthians who heard [him] believed and were baptized." Acts 18:8
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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The word "baptize" literally means "to dip under water." The Greek word "baptizo" means "to immerse or dip under water."
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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."
Counseling and Support Groups
Our Saddleback Counseling Ministry welcomes marriages seeking help. The role of a Saddleback Counselor is to provide Christ-centered counseling to marriages seeking guidance through our church. Whether you're facing financial struggles or personal and relational struggles, the counseling Saddleback offers will walk with you through these hard times.
Premarital Counseling
Thinking about getting married? Meeting with one of our counselors will help bring greater clarity to your relationship and give you tools to help improve your relationship. In addition to better preparing you for the challenges of marriage, going through our pre-marital counseling satisfies the requirement to be married by a Saddleback Pastor.
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