What Is Baptism?
Baptism is a public way of sharing with your church family and friends the reality of what God has done in your life. It is a picture of how God has made you new on the inside. This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!
Why Should I Be Baptized?
Jesus challenged us to be baptized!
Matthew 28:19–20 “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. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Jesus and the early church gave us the example.
Matthew 3:13–17 Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. But John tried to deter him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” Jesus replied, “Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.” Then John consented. 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 lighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”
Acts 2:41 Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.
The Symbolism of Baptism
• Entering the water: leaving my old life behind
• Water: having my sins washed away
• Going under the water: my old life dies as Jesus died
• Coming out of the water: I’m raised to a new life as Jesus was
• Leaving the water: I begin a whole new life with Jesus
Matthew 28:19–20 “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. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Jesus and the early church gave us the example.
Matthew 3:13–17 Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. But John tried to deter him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” Jesus replied, “Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.” Then John consented. 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 lighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”
Acts 2:41 Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.
The Symbolism of Baptism
• Entering the water: leaving my old life behind
• Water: having my sins washed away
• Going under the water: my old life dies as Jesus died
• Coming out of the water: I’m raised to a new life as Jesus was
• Leaving the water: I begin a whole new life with Jesus
Questions To Consider...
Have I asked Jesus to forgive me for my sins?
Have I accepted Jesus’ invitation to be in relationship with Him?
Will I let Jesus lead my life?
If the answer to any of these questions is no, it may be an indication that you’re not ready to take this Next Step. We’d love to give you an opportunity to meet with a Crossroads pastor to discuss any questions you’re wrestling with.
Have I accepted Jesus’ invitation to be in relationship with Him?
Will I let Jesus lead my life?
If the answer to any of these questions is no, it may be an indication that you’re not ready to take this Next Step. We’d love to give you an opportunity to meet with a Crossroads pastor to discuss any questions you’re wrestling with.
Your Story
Before your Baptism celebration, it’s important that you have the opportunity to share your story. You never know who might hear your story and how it may impact the lives of others. One of the most effective and recommended ways to tell your story is through a video testimony. Another way is through a written story that will be read aloud during your baptism. Once you have made the decision to be baptized and scheduled it with Crossroads, we will send you more details about this step.
Baptism Location Options
Public Baptism at Crossroads
This will happen during a Crossroads Sunday morning service. We either play the video/audio of your story or we will designate a person (you or someone else) to read your testimony in front of the congregation.
Private Baptism at Crossroads
This new option will allow you to come to Crossroads and be baptized at the time of your choosing, privately with your family. You will have the opportunity to share your story with a pastor before getting baptized. We will videotape and share your baptism with the congregation at a later date - that way we can celebrate your next step together!
This will happen during a Crossroads Sunday morning service. We either play the video/audio of your story or we will designate a person (you or someone else) to read your testimony in front of the congregation.
Private Baptism at Crossroads
This new option will allow you to come to Crossroads and be baptized at the time of your choosing, privately with your family. You will have the opportunity to share your story with a pastor before getting baptized. We will videotape and share your baptism with the congregation at a later date - that way we can celebrate your next step together!
Ready To Be Baptized?
Awesome! We are so excited that you’ve decided to take this Next Step! Please fill out the form below at your earliest convenience so we can schedule your baptism. If you have additional questions, you can speak to our Baptism Coordinator by calling (734) 854-1301 or send an email to hello@crossroadson23.com.