Baptism At FBC, we want to help you meet Jesus Christ, invite Jesus into your life to start a personal relationship with Him, and learn to walk with Jesus each day of your life.  We believe His truth, love, and power will meet every need and bring more fulfilling life than you have ever known.  The start of that relationship includes baptism.  What is the meaning of baptism? 1. It illustrates Christ´s burial and resurrection. "Christ died for our sins... He was buried... and He rose again." --I  Cor. 15:3-4 "For when you were baptized, you were buried with Christ, and in baptism you were also raised with Christ."  --Col. 2:12 2. It illustrates your new life as a Christian. "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 Cor. 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!" --Rom. 6:4 Baptism doesn´t make you a believer; it shows that you already believe. Baptism does not "save" you; only your faith in Christ does that. Baptism is like a wedding ring - it is the outward symbol of the commitment you make in your heart.   "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 Why be baptized by immersion? 1. Because Jesus was baptized that way. "As soon as Jesus was baptized, He went up out of the water." --Matt. 3:16 2. 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 word Baptize means "To dip under water". The Greek word Baptizo means "To immerse or dip under water". It best symbolized a burial and resurrection! Who should be baptized? 1. Every person who has believed in Christ. "Those who believed 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 If you have questions about your faith in Jesus Christ, click here. 2. About Children:  At FBC, we wait until our children are old enough to believe and understand the true meaning of baptism before we baptize them.  Generally, this is 11 or over, however, the time for baptism will be established in consultation with parents. Some churches practice a "baptism of confirmation" for children. This ceremony is intended to be a covenant between the parents and God on the behalf of the child. The parents promise to raise their child in the faith until the child is old enough to make his own personal confession of Christ. This custom began about 300 years after the Bible was completed. This is different from the baptism talked about in the Bible which was only for those old enough to believe. The purpose is to publicly confess your personal commitment to Christ. At FBC, it is a membership requirement that every member must have been baptized the way Jesus demonstrated, even though many of us were "confirmed" as children.   Steps to Baptism Inform one of the pastors or another leader of the church of your desire to be baptized. Meet with one of the pastors to prepare for baptism by walking through the scriptures describing the meaning of baptism. Put the next baptism date on your calendar!  Watch the church calendar to see when the next baptism is planned.  They are offered 3 or 4 times each year, or as needed. Invite friends and family to be a part of the great event.