WHAT IS BAPTISM?
Baptism is the Christian act of immersing a believer under water and then bringing them forth out of the water. It is a practical representation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, as the person being baptized is plunged beneath the waters and brought forth in the same way that Jesus was buried in the earth and resurrected on their behalf in forgiveness of their sins (Rom. 6:1-10; Col. 2:12). Baptism identified a Christian with Jesus (Acts 10:48; Rom. 6:3; Gal. 3:27), the universal church (1 Cor. 12:13), and the local church (Acts 2:41).
MAY I BE BAPTIZED IF I PREVIOUSLY HAVE BEEN?
Once someone has been baptized there is no need for them to be baptized again (Eph. 4:5). The only exception to this is if someone was baptized as a non-Christian and desires to profess their faith and be baptized as a Christian (Acts 19:1-5). This exception would include people who were baptized in cults and heretical churches, as well as those baptized as infants at the request of their parents. Recognizing a variety of Christian views on the issue of infant baptism, Reality does not require that those who were baptized as infants be re-baptized as believing adults, but leaves this decision to the conscience of each Christian.
WHY SHOULD CHRISTIANS BE BAPTIZED?
Jesus and his apostles clearly command that all who believe in Jesus should then be baptized (Matt 28:19; Acts 2:38). Baptism is a communal act of identification with Jesus and with God’s people, the church.
WHO SHOULD BE BAPTIZED?
In the New Testament, we see that every baptism is preceded by repentance of sin and faith in Jesus (Acts 2:38-41; 8:12; 9:18-19; 10:44-48; 16:14-15, 40; 16:29-36; 18:8; 19:1-7; 22:16). Therefore, only Christians who have repented of sin and have trusted in Jesus should be baptized. Baptism is commanded for all Christians so that they identity themselves with the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus (Rom 6). Because of this, no one but a Christian should be baptized, and this excludes all non-Christians and children who are too young to demonstrate repentance and articulate faith.
If you are being led to be baptized, please fill out the form below and we will personally contact you.