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Baptism/Dedications

Because various church denominations handle baptism differently, many people are left with more questions than answers when it comes to the issue of baptism. Instead of teaching what a specific denomination believes about baptism, let's let the Bible speak for itself as we look at several passages recorded in the early church on this subject. As you read these verses, see if you can glean some general truths about the practice of baptism.

Mark 16:15-16 He (Jesus) said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned."

Matthew 28:19 (Jesus said) Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,

Acts 2:38-41 Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off--for all whom the Lord our God will call." Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.

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

Acts 16:33-34 At that hour of the night the jailer took them and washed their wounds; then immediately he and all his family were baptized. The jailer brought them into his house and set a meal before them; he was filled with joy because he had come to believe in God--he and his whole family.

Acts 18:8 Crispus, the synagogue ruler, and his entire household believed in the Lord; and many of the Corinthians who heard him believed and were baptized.

Acts 22:16 And now what are you waiting for? Get up, be baptized, and wash your sins away, calling on his name.'

One of the many observations we could make about these passages is that belief in Christ always preceded baptism. Baptism is a physical symbol of a spiritual reality. Once a person makes the decision to become a follower of Christ, the biblical model is that this person is baptized in water. The water represents the cleansing and forgiveness we received in Christ. At Grace, we try to keep the practice of baptism very simple, therefore, Grace Gathering doesn't have a lot of rules or official requirements. Once a person professes faith in Christ, the next step is baptism.

Baptisms can take place on a Sunday morning during a church service, but we also encourge baptisms to take place within the context of mission churches where there is more intimacy and relationship.  This can be done by a house church reserving the baptism tank in the building on a particular day or evening, by utilizing someon's pool, or by doing it in a pond/lake.  We also encourage the person getting baptized to ask someone instrumental in their spiritual life to administer the baptism.  For those who do not have a mission church or would rather do this during a Sunday morning service we can accomodate that as well.  

The same thing holds true for parent/child dedications.  If a parent would like to dedicate his/her child to God we encouage that to take place within a mission community setting, but we do make this available within a Sunday morning service if that is preferable as well.

If you would like to hear a message on the importance of baptism click here .

Click here if you would like to see a study on baptism.

Click here if you (Adult) are ready to register for baptism.

Click here if you are ready to register your child (K-12) for baptism.

If you have some additional questions about baptism or child dedications, click here.