WATER BAPTISM
GO PUBLIC WITH YOUR FAITH.
Water baptism is an outward expression of an inward decision to follow Jesus. If you've made Jesus your Lord and Savior, baptism is an important next step in your faith.
WHAT IS WATER BAPTISM?
AN OUTWARD SIGN OF AN INWARD CHANGE.
Water baptism is a public declaration that you have chosen to follow Jesus. It doesn't save you; it is an act of obedience that follows your decision to put your faith in Christ.
Jesus instructed His followers to make disciples and baptize them, and Jesus Himself was baptized. Through baptism, we publicly identify with Jesus and declare that our old life is behind us and we are choosing to follow Him.
Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.
MATTHEW 28:19
BAPTISM DOESN'T MAKE YOU A CHRISTIAN. IT SHOWS THAT YOU HAVE CHOSEN TO FOLLOW CHRIST.
SALVATION COMES THROUGH FAITH IN JESUS. BAPTISM COMES AFTER THAT DECISION.
YOUR NEXT STEP
IS BAPTISM FOR ME?
If you have made a personal decision to follow Jesus, water baptism is an important next step. Here are a few common questions people have before being baptized.
I’VE CHOSEN TO FOLLOW JESUS
Water baptism is for those who have personally chosen Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. Baptism follows that decision as a public expression of your faith.
Romans 10:9
I WAS BAPTIZED AS A CHILD
If you were baptized before you personally understood the significance of following Jesus, we encourage you to consider being baptized after making your own decision to follow Christ.
WHAT ABOUT MY CHILD?
We baptize children who have personally chosen to follow Jesus and are able to understand and explain the decision they are making. We do not practice infant baptism.
BAPTISM IS A PERSONAL DECISION TO FOLLOW JESUS.
If you're ready to take that step, we'd love to celebrate it with you.
WHAT TO EXPECT
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN I'M BAPTIZED?
Water baptism is simple, meaningful, and something we love celebrating together as a church.
01
STEP INTO THE WATER
You'll enter the baptism water with a pastor who will help guide you through the entire process.
02
DECLARE YOUR FAITH
The pastor will baptize you in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit as a public declaration of your faith in Jesus.
03
FULL IMMERSION
You'll be gently lowered backward completely under the water and then raised back up, symbolizing your new life in Christ.
“For you were buried with Christ when you were baptized. And with him you were raised to new life...”
COLOSSIANS 2:12
Going under the water represents being buried with Christ. Coming out of the water represents being raised to a new life in Him.
QUESTIONS ABOUT BAPTISM
BAPTISM FAQ
It's normal to have questions before being baptized. Here are answers to some of the questions we hear most often.
DO I HAVE TO BE BAPTIZED TO BE SAVED?
No. Water baptism is an act of obedience after a person has received God's forgiveness through faith in Jesus. Baptism does not produce salvation; it publicly expresses the decision you have already made to follow Christ.
AM I JOINING GREEN BAY FIRST BY BEING BAPTIZED?
No. Baptism does not make you a member of Green Bay First. It is a public declaration of your faith in Jesus.
WHY DO YOU BAPTIZE IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER, SON, AND HOLY SPIRIT?
Jesus instructed His followers in Matthew 28:19 to baptize in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
I WAS BAPTIZED AS A CHILD. SHOULD I BE BAPTIZED AGAIN?
If you were baptized before you personally understood the significance of choosing to follow Jesus, we encourage you to consider being baptized after making that decision for yourself.
CAN MY CHILD BE BAPTIZED?
Yes, if your child has personally chosen to follow Jesus and understands the significance of baptism. We do not baptize infants. Baptism should be the child's personal decision rather than a decision made for them by a parent.
CAN I BE BAPTIZED MORE THAN ONCE?
There is no limit to the number of times a person can be baptized. Some people choose to be baptized following a significant recommitment to God. Baptism should be treated with reverence, however, and not repeated simply because you changed churches or want a particular person to baptize you.
WHY DO YOU BAPTIZE BY FULL IMMERSION?
We practice full immersion because baptism symbolizes being buried with Christ and raised to new life with Him. Colossians 2:12 describes this picture of being buried and raised with Christ through baptism.
YOUR NEXT STEP
READY TO BE BAPTIZED?
If you've made the decision to follow Jesus and you're ready to publicly declare your faith, we'd love to celebrate this next step with you.
TAKE YOUR NEXT STEP.
Have questions about baptism? We're here to help.