Williamsburg Church​ of Christ 

 

Why Be Baptized?

 

We immerse (baptize) at Williamsburg Church of Christ because Jesus instructed us to be baptized. (Matt 28:19-20) It is thus an important step of obedience in our walk with Him. It demonstrates submission to God. Further, Jesus modeled that for us as the way to publicly acknowledge our faith in Him. Following that, the apostles, Jesus’ first followers, taught and modeled baptism. In fact every person we read about in the New Testament who chose to believe in the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus and commit their life to Him was baptized. There are many reasons to be baptized:

 

Because Jesus Himself commanded it:

Then Jesus said to them, “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 28:19-20He (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." Mark 16:15-16

 

To follow the example set by Jesus:

At that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. —Mark 1:9

 

To publicly demonstrate that a person is a believer:

And many … who heard him believed and were baptized. —Acts 18:8

 

To openly demonstrate obedience to Jesus Christ:

“Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord’ and do not do what I say?” —Luke 6:46

 

To pledge a clean heart before God:

”Corresponding to that, baptism now saves you—not the removal of dirt from the flesh, but an appeal to God for a good conscience—through the resurrection of Jesus Christ." 1 Peter 3:21

 

To publicly identify with Christ, who is making us completely new:

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. — Romans 6:4 (see also Ephesians 4:17-24)If you have accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, then you are ready to be baptized. Just like a bride and groom show others their love for one another by a wedding ceremony, your baptism is your opportunity to show others that you trust in Christ and are now walking with Him.

 

What is the meaning of baptism?

 

It is a pronouncement of belief. It is like preaching a visual sermon. It is a public way of saying to everyone that you have decided to give your life to Jesus Christ."Many of the Corinthians who heard him believed and were baptized." Acts 18:8

 

It illustrates Christ's burial and resurrection.

 

The picture immersion portrays is compelling: just as a person lowers you into the water, Christ lowers you into the pool of His grace until every inch of your soul is clean. Buried in a watery grave, covered from head to foot with God's love, you are washed clean by the blood of Jesus.“Don't you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead. . . we too may have new life." Romans 6:3-4"Christ died for our sins... He was buried... and He rose again." — 1 Corinthians 15:3-4"For when you were baptized, you were buried with Christ, and in baptism you were also raised with Christ." — Colossians 2:12

 

It illustrates my new life as a Christian.

 

Baptism doesn't make you a believer - it shows that you already believe. The Bible teaches that faith in Christ is the source of our salvation. Baptism is the biblical response to saving faith. It is the visible symbol of the commitment you make in your heart."When someone becomes a Christian he becomes a brand new person inside. The old life has passed away and a new life has begun!" — 2 Corinthians 5:17"By our baptism then, we were buried with Him and shared His death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead... so also we may live a new life!" — Romans 6:4"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith... it is the gift of God - not by works, so that no one can boast." — Ephesians 2:8,9

 

It symbolizes the cleansing power of God's grace.

 

Baptism has been compared to a washing: Not of dirt from the body, but of the cleansing of our hearts that God does through his grace."And now what are you waiting for? Get up, be baptized and wash your sins away, calling on his name." -Acts 22:16

 

Why be baptized by immersion?

 

Because Jesus was baptized that way."As soon as Jesus was baptized, He went up out of the water." — Matthew 3:16

 

Every baptism in the Bible was by immersion.(Example) "...then both Philip and the man went down into the water and Philip baptized him. When they came up out of the water..." — Acts 8:38-39

 

The Greek word for baptize means "to immerse or dip under water".

 

What if I was sprinkled as a baptism when I was a child?

 

First, you should be grateful that you had parents who cared enough about you to set you apart for God. Because of their devotion, you have an opportunity to complete their prayer by willingly submitting to Christ in His call to you to be immersed.Second, being immersed is not a sign of disrespect for what your parents did, nor is it an act of condemning their best desires for you.Be thankful for the heritage of concerned parents, but don't be negligent of your responsibility as an adult to make your personal commitment and obedience to God in baptism (Philippians 2:12-13).Many who are now members of this church were sprinkled as infants and then, upon coming to personal faith, were immersed into Christ. God has led you to this point and we pray that you will take this step as soon as possible.

 

Does water baptism save me?

 

No. Scripture is abundantly clear that only Jesus saves (Acts 4:12). Faith in his actions is the heart of our salvation. The work of salvation is a finished work by Christ on the cross (Hebrews 9:24-28: 10:10-14). Baptism has no redemptive powers of its own. There is nothing special about the water in the river, pond, or baptistery."But, baptism is the Biblical response to saving faith. It's important enough for the Apostle Peter to write, "And this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also - not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a good conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ." (I Peter 3:21) But his focus was not on the washing with water, but on the faith and the pledge of our heart to God."Tragically, some people believe they are going to heaven when they die just because they have been baptized. They have no genuine personal faith, have never made a personal decision to receive Christ as Savior and Lord, and are banking on a hollow ceremony to save them. If baptism itself could save, the cross of Jesus would have no real meaning. If a person's faith is in the sacrament and not the Savior, he is trusting in a powerless ritual.

 

When should I be baptized?

 

As soon as you become a believer.

 

"Those who believe...were baptized...that day!" — Acts 2:41There is no reason to delay. As soon as you have decided to make Christ the Lord of your your life, you can and should be baptized. If you wait until you are "perfect", you’ll never feel "good enough"! If you have been a follower of Christ for some time, though, it's never too late. Choosing to follow Christ’s example and the apostle’s teaching in Scripture will bless your life now and forever.

 

Who should be baptized?

 

Every person who believes in Christ."Those who believe and accepted His message were baptized..." — Acts 2:41"Simon himself believed and was baptized..." — Acts 8:13"But when they believed Philip as he preached the Good News... and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women." — Acts 8:12

 

God knows my heart so why the emphasis on a physical action for spiritual results?

 

The two cannot be neatly separated. For example, the physical act of disobedience brought about a spiritual result in the garden. In addition, the physical birth, death, and resurrection of Jesus himself brings the greatest spiritual potential to us: salvation. Therefore, we shouldn't be surprised that a spiritual decision to accept Christ by faith is linked to a physical response like baptism. Genuine faith always results in appropriate action. In fact, Scripture says that faith without action is dead (James 2:17).

 

Can a child be baptized?

 

Yes! However, keep in mind that Biblically speaking, baptism is appropriate only for those who have made a personal decision to trust in Christ alone for their salvation. At Williamsburg, we wait until our children are old enough to believe and understand the true meaning of baptism before we baptize them. For more info on the ways we celebrate the faith of children, contact our minister. 

 

What will happen at my baptism?

 

You will enter a small pool and the person who is baptizing will ask you if you have made Christ the Lord of your life. After you answer, we will baptize you by briefly lowering you just under the water, and then you can leave the water and dry off.

 

Can my family be baptized together?

 

Yes! If each person understands fully the meaning of baptism, and each one has personally placed his/her trust in Christ, we love to have families to be baptized at the same time. It is a great way to move forward together spiritually.

 

Who should I invite to my baptism?

 

Baptism provides a great opportunity to testify about God’s work in our lives. Through the power of Jesus’ death and resurrection we become a new person on the inside. We encourage everyone to invite their family and friends to the service.

 

If I want to be baptized right now what should I do?

 

You can contact the ministry team at the church office at 757-253-5662. We will be happy to arrange a time for your baptism any day or hour. But, remember that any Christian can baptize you wherever you are!