 Baptism is an important step for every believer. If you haven't been baptized, then we want to invite you to join us for our next Baptism.
While we encourage people to get baptized as soon as possible after they become believers, it is never too late to take this step.
To Learn more, check out the audio message about Baptism, below. This message, along with the information below, is provided to help you understand baptism. If you have additional questions, please contact us and we will do all that we can to help you take this important step.
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| The Necessity of Baptism |
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Our next Baptism will be:
When: Sunday, January 22, 2012 during our worship service
Where: In the Auditorium
To sign up for this baptism, complete the form below, or email us at information@sheldonvillebaptist.org. We will send you an email confirmation containing additional details about your baptism.
Why is baptism important?
1. Baptism is the pattern that Jesus, Himself, set.
"Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan to be baptized by him. When He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him. And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, 'This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.'" (Matthew 3:13, 16-17)
2. Baptism is the picture of Jesus' sacrifice for us.
"For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures," (1 Corinthians 15:3-4)
3. Baptism was the practice of the early church.
"But when they believed Philip as he preached the things concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, both men and women were baptized." (Acts 8:12)
4. Baptism is a public identification with Jesus.
"Therefore, when the Lord knew that the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John (though Jesus Himself did not baptize, but His disciples), He left Judea and departed again to Galilee." (John 4:1-3)
Ultimately, this is the pirmary purpose of baptism for new believers: it provides you the opportunity to publicly confess your personal committment to Jesus Christ.
What should I expect when I get baptized?
We baptize near the end of our worship service. There is usually a congregational song that allows you (and Pastor, who needs to change) to get ready. During that song you should move to the front of the church, bringing you towel. After the song, Pastor will talk for a moment about the signifigance of baptism and then call you to join him.
You can expect to be a little nervous when you get into the water, most people are. The only things you will have to say is your name (when asked) and "yes" when asked if you have received Jesus as your personal Savior. Then Pastor will dunk you under water. You're done! You may leave the water and towel off while others are being baptized, then head down to the bathrooms to dry off and change (you should bring a complete change of clothes).
We encourage you to invite all of your relatives and friends to attend your baptism. It is a big day for you and they can help you celebrate it. They will also get to hear about being saved themselves, which is a bonus for you and them!
Why does SBC baptize by immersion (dunking a person completely under water)?
Though different traditions have developed and practice different modes of baptism, immersion is common in Baptist churches for three main reasons.
1. Immersion is the best definition. In both English and Greek (the New Testament was originally written in Greek) the word baptize means to immerse or dip under water.
2. Immersion is the best picture. Baptism is a picture of Jesus' death, burial, and resurrection. Immersion best pictures a burial and a resurrection.
3. Immersion is the best practice. Immersion is how the early church (not to mention Jesus) performed baptisms.
"So he commanded the chariot to stand still. And both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water, and he baptized him. Now when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught Philip away, so that the eunuch saw him no more; and he went on his way rejoicing." (Acts 8:38-39)
What are the personal requirements for baptism at SBC?
We have only one requirement: salvation. You must enter into a personal relationship with Jesus Christ by admitting that you are a sinner, believing that Jesus died to take the punisment for your sins, confessing this to God and receiving His forgiveness. Connect for more information.
We believe that you should be baptised as soon after this event as possible. In the early days of the church, people were baptized the same day they were saved.
"Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them." (Acts 2:41)
What about children?
Baptism is an important step for every believer that we believe follows salvation. A person gets saved by personally, and voluntarily, receiving God's forgiveness and entering into a relationship with Jesus. For this reason, we do not baptize children until they are old enough to believe and enter into a relationship with Jesus for themselves.
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