Fresh Start

Question 1

What Is Baptism?

Answer

Baptism is an outward symbolic act that shows our desire to obey God and to follow Jesus. When you are baptized, you enter a pool of water, go under the water and come up out of the water. This symbolizes dying with Jesus and raising again to new life (See Romans 6:4). Jesus was baptized by immersion by John the Baptist at the beginning of His earthly ministry (Matthew 3:16).

Question 2

Why Do We Baptize?

Answer

Jesus commanded us to baptize (Matthew 28:19-20), and we are following His example when we do it (Mark 1:9). It is a symbol of how we were spiritually buried with Him and raised for new life when we accepted His salvation (Acts 2:41).

Question 3

Is Baptism Necessary To Go To Heaven?

Answer

No. We are saved by faith and God’s grace, not by any religious works (Ephesians 2:8-9). Baptism is to salvation what a wedding ring is to a marriage. The wedding ring does not make you married. It is powerful symbol of your commitment expressed through vows before God and others. Wearing a wedding ring will not make you married, but it becomes a powerful symbol of your marriage. Baptism, like a wedding ring, is a public display of our love for someone- in this case, Jesus!

Question 4

Why Is Baptism Done Publicly?

Answer

Almost all of the biblical examples of baptism show people doing it in public (Acts2:41), because we are not to be ashamed of Jesus when we have become Christians. We should want to share our joyous decision with family, friends, and our church.

Question 5

Why Do We Baptize By Immersion?

Answer

As we read the New Testament, we see every baptism was by immersion (do a word search for baptism, baptized). The original Greek word we translate as baptism is ‘baptizo’ means to “go under.”

Immersion is a beautiful word-picture of being buried with Jesus in His death and being raised as He was resurrected to new life (Romans 6:4). The founders of denominations agree: Martin Luther ... "I would have those who are to be baptized to be entirely immersed, as the word imparts 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' alludes to baptizing by immersion according to the custom of the first church."

Question 6

What If I Was Baptized Before Getting Saved?

Answer

Since baptism is a first step of obedience after salvation, the first time may have been well-meant. We would invite you to be baptized again as a new Christian.

Question 7

What if I was not immersed ("dunked") for baptism?

Answer

Although salvation is not dependent on baptism or a specific type of baptism, we do desire to practice the pattern found in the New Testament. So, we would invite you to be baptized by immersion. If you wish to become a member of Celebration Baptist Church, baptism by immersion is required.

Question 8

Should infants be baptized?

Answer

Although scripture shows Jesus welcoming and blessing children, it does not show Him baptizing infants, nor are there any passages that show or command this practice. Since baptism is a step of obedience after salvation, and since (due to mental development) infants cannot make that spiritual choice, we do not baptize them. We do, however, dedicate infants/children to the Lord (1 Samuel 1:27-28). This is a special time of commitment where the parents and the church pledge together to spiritually nurture the infant/child as he or she grows, and we pray for their eventual salvation.

Question 9

Can children & students be baptized?

Answer

In the New Testament, new converts to Christianity are those who were baptized. If a child has understood and accepted salvation, then there is no reason that they should not be baptized. Contact Pastor Tommy for children and Pastor Jesús for students.

Question 10

What happens during baptism?

Answer

You will arrive 20 minutes before the service starts to check in. Please wear dark shorts and bring a change of clothes with you. You may choose to wear a robe, or we provide dark grey t-shirts. Baptisms usually take place during the worship portion of our service- during the first 20 minutes. You and the Pastor will walk into the baptism pool. The pastor baptizing you will briefly introduce you. You will be immersed into the water and quickly raised back up, symbolizing Jesus’ death and resurrection. After baptism you will go back to the changing room, change in to dry clothes and then slip back into the service.

Question 11

What Is Baptism?

Answer

Baptism is an outward symbolic act that shows our desire to obey God and to follow Jesus. When you are baptized, you enter a pool of water, go under the water and come up out of the water. This symbolizes dying with Jesus and raising again to new life (See Romans 6:4). Jesus was baptized by immersion by John the Baptist at the beginning of His earthly ministry (Matthew 3:16).

Question 12

Why Do We Baptize?

Answer

Jesus commanded us to baptize (Matthew 28:19-20), and we are following His example when we do it (Mark 1:9). It is a symbol of how we were spiritually buried with Him and raised for new life when we accepted His salvation (Acts 2:41).

Question 13

Is Baptism Necessary To Go To Heaven?

Answer

No. We are saved by faith and God’s grace, not by any religious works (Ephesians 2:8-9). Baptism is to salvation what a wedding ring is to a marriage. The wedding ring does not make you married. It is powerful symbol of your commitment expressed through vows before God and others. Wearing a wedding ring will not make you married, but it becomes a powerful symbol of your marriage. Baptism, like a wedding ring, is a public display of our love for someone- in this case, Jesus!

Question 14

Why Is Baptism Done Publicly?

Answer

Almost all of the biblical examples of baptism show people doing it in public (Acts2:41), because we are not to be ashamed of Jesus when we have become Christians. We should want to share our joyous decision with family, friends, and our church.

Question 15

Why Do We Baptize By Immersion?

Answer

As we read the New Testament, we see every baptism was by immersion (do a word search for baptism, baptized). The original Greek word we translate as baptism is ‘baptizo’ means to “go under.”

Immersion is a beautiful word-picture of being buried with Jesus in His death and being raised as He was resurrected to new life (Romans 6:4). The founders of denominations agree: Martin Luther ... "I would have those who are to be baptized to be entirely immersed, as the word imparts 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' alludes to baptizing by immersion according to the custom of the first church."

Question 16

What If I Was Baptized Before Getting Saved?

Answer

Since baptism is a first step of obedience after salvation, the first time may have been well-meant. We would invite you to be baptized again as a new Christian.

Question 17

What if I was not immersed ("dunked") for baptism?

Answer

Although salvation is not dependent on baptism or a specific type of baptism, we do desire to practice the pattern found in the New Testament. So, we would invite you to be baptized by immersion. If you wish to become a member of Celebration Baptist Church, baptism by immersion is required.

Question 18

Should infants be baptized?

Answer

Although scripture shows Jesus welcoming and blessing children, it does not show Him baptizing infants, nor are there any passages that show or command this practice. Since baptism is a step of obedience after salvation, and since (due to mental development) infants cannot make that spiritual choice, we do not baptize them. We do, however, dedicate infants/children to the Lord (1 Samuel 1:27-28). This is a special time of commitment where the parents and the church pledge together to spiritually nurture the infant/child as he or she grows, and we pray for their eventual salvation.

Question 19

Can children & students be baptized?

Answer

In the New Testament, new converts to Christianity are those who were baptized. If a child has understood and accepted salvation, then there is no reason that they should not be baptized. Contact Pastor Tommy for children and Pastor Jesús for students.

Question 20

What happens during baptism?

Answer

You will arrive 20 minutes before the service starts to check in. Please wear dark shorts and bring a change of clothes with you. You may choose to wear a robe, or we provide dark grey t-shirts. Baptisms usually take place during the worship portion of our service- during the first 20 minutes. You and the Pastor will walk into the baptism pool. The pastor baptizing you will briefly introduce you. You will be immersed into the water and quickly raised back up, symbolizing Jesus’ death and resurrection. After baptism you will go back to the changing room, change in to dry clothes and then slip back into the service.

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