NEW BELIEVER

1. Why should I be baptized?+

Baptism itself does not make you a believer in Christ, but rather it is a way of saying to the world, that your relationship with Jesus has begun.

Baptism symbolizes that your old self is gone (going under the water/immersion) and your new self has come (coming above the water) and that you have been made alive in Christ. When you are baptized, you are following Jesus’ example and obeying His command.

Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. – Romans 6:3-5 (NASB)

“As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, ‘This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.’” — Matthew 3:16–17

“Then Jesus came to them and said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 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, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.’” — Matthew 28:18–20

2. What is the significance of Baptism?+

Water baptism is a public declaration of three very important things:

You are a follower of Jesus Christ.“Those who accepted his message were baptized.” — Acts 2:41

You are beginning a changed life in Christ.“We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.”— Romans 6:4

You are part of a new family.“So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.” — Galatians 3:26–27

3. I have already been baptized. Should I be baptized again?+

Your baptism should have signified you becoming a follower of Jesus, beginning a changed life, and uniting with a new family. If your baptism did not reflect this change of life, then you should be baptized again.

If you were baptized as an infant, you are encouraged to be baptized by immersion again. At LCC, it is a membership requirement for every member to be baptized following his or her conversion, even though many were “confirmed” as children.

4. Can my child be baptized?+

Any child who is at least in 2nd grade and understands what baptism symbolizes can be baptized at LCC. Parents are encouraged to partner with LCC's Kids and Student ministries to guide your children through these decisions of faith.

For more information to help guide your child through this important decision, email our Kids Team by clicking here.

For more information to help guide your middle and high school student through this important decision, email our Student Team by clicking here.

5. Can my infant be baptized?+

Throughout the New Testament, the Bible teaches that baptism is a public expression of worship symbolizing the new life we have when we follow Jesus. In the Bible, we see that Jesus’ parents dedicated him to the Lord (Luke 2:22–40), and he was later baptized as an adult (Matthew 3:16 – 17).

Some churches practice “baptism of confirmation” for children. This ceremony is intended to be a commitment between the parents and God on behalf of the child. The parents promise to raise their child in the faith until the child is old enough to make his or her own personal confession of Christ. This custom began about 300 years after the Bible was completed and is different from the biblical examples of new believers being baptized to profess their faith in Jesus publicly.

LCC provides opportunities for child dedication and believer’s baptism. To find out more information about the next baby/child dedication, please contact our Kids Team by clicking here.