Baptism
To go right to the Baptism Registration Form, click here.
Our next baptism weekend is February 25-26, 2012. Please fill out the registration form and someone will be in contact with you.
What is Baptism?
As a believer, you have received the free gift of salvation which is only available through Christ alone. You have realized your sin was separating you from God, and you have concluded Jesus Christ's death on the cross for your sins is the only thing that can bridge the gap between you and God.
Although baptism neither provides salvation nor is a requirement of salvation, it is an act of obedience by individuals who have already received Christ. It symbolizes the spiritual cleansing through Christ's forgiveness, and it is a testimony of your decision before those in the church who attend. The Bible says that a person who has received Christ should not be ashamed of making their decision public.
In Matthew 28:19, Jesus commands His followers to "go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit." Just as a wedding ring is an outward expression of marriage, baptism is an outward commitment of the individual to follow Christ. Baptism is also a prerequisite for membership at Emmanuel.
As you go under the water during baptism, it represents Christ's death, and as you come out of the water, it represents His resurrection.
What If You Were Baptized As a Child?
Since the purpose of baptism is to publicly identify a believer in Jesus Christ after they have received Christ, you may be asking yourself, "What was the significance of my baptism as a baby?" If you were baptized as a child, it was the intent of your parents that you would one day be a follower of Christ, and they wanted to dedicate you to the Lord through baptism. In the Bible, we find parents bringing their children to Jesus, where He held them, prayed for them, and told us to welcome them. Your baptism as an adult can be viewed as a fulfillment of your parents' wishes.
I'm Ready to be Baptized...Now What?
There are three steps to participating in a baptism service at Emmanuel:
- Fill out a Baptism Registration Form.
- Attend the baptism rehearsal.
- Participate in the baptism service.
Let's review these steps:
Step One: Fill out the Baptism Registration Form
Click on the Baptism Registration Form link above. Once you submit your completed application, you will be contacted (initially via email) about the details and next steps in your baptism preparation.
Step Two: Attend a Baptism Rehearsal
Everyone who plans to be baptized must attend a baptism rehearsal. It is held from 10:00-11:00 a.m. on the Saturday morning of Baptism Weekend. If you cannot attend the baptism rehearsal, you will not be able to participate in a baptism service that weekend; however, you will be placed on the baptism registration list for the next available date.
What can you expect at rehearsal?
- A brief review of the meaning/purpose of baptism
- Orientation to the backstage area
- Onstage practice of the reading of your baptism testimony
- Specific directions for the baptism service
- Receive information about what to wear/bring for your participation in the baptism service
Step Three: Participate in the Baptism Service
Those who participate in our baptism service have two specific roles: First, providing inspiration as you share your story with those in attendance; Second, being baptized. The answers to the questions on the Baptism Application Form will serve as the foundation of your baptism story/testimony. We will help guide you through finalizing your story well ahead of time in order to help you prepare.
Questions?
Contact Bill Miller, Spiritual Development Director, at bmiller@egreenwood.org or (317) 535-9673, Ext. 201.