Calvary - Baptism

How should I be baptized?

While some churches sprinkle, baptism by being dunked was the undisputed church practice for the first 1,300 years of church history. In fact, no early denominational church leaders argued that point. The very word baptism means to immerse‚

Should we baptize infants, or people mature enough to make the faith decision?

Some churches baptize infants. Some choose not to baptize infants. While Christians can debate this, we should never divide over it. At Calvary, we don't baptize infants because every baptism recorded in the Bible occurred when someone was old enough to make a faith decision. Jesus blessed kids, but he didn't baptize them.

What does Calvary offer for parents who want to raise Christian children?

While infants can't choose baptism, we do give parents an option for guiding their children in toward personally choosing a relationship with Christ. Parent-Child Dedication is a time of public and personal commitment where parents promise to raise their children with godly principles, so that one day when they are ready and understand, they will choose to accept Christ.

Does the water wash away my sins?

Whether it's water in a lake or water in a tub, there's nothing special about the water that is used for baptism. The Bible is clear that we are saved by Gods grace, not by baptism, not by our own works. Baptism is not salvation; Christ's blood on the cross is really what washes away sins and pays our debt. It's better to think of it like this: baptism is to salvation as a wedding ceremony is to a marriage. It's an external declaration of an internal event.'

Do you have to be baptized to be a Christ-follower?

Its clearly established in the Bible that you become a Christian by accepting God's free gift of grace. For example, the thief on the cross hanging beside Jesus was saved on the spot and was never baptized. While baptism is not what saves us, baptism is necessary in that Christ commands it. All genuine Christ-followers should want to obey Jesus by doing what he said, and by doing what he did. Even Jesus, the perfect Son of God, showed us the importance of baptism by being baptized himself.

What if I still believe it's a technicality?

If you're holding off on being baptized because you feel it is unnecessary, take some time to examine your motives and pray for God to help you grasp his heart on baptism. Ask yourself, Why is it that I don't want to be baptized? Am I willfully disobeying. If you're waiting for God to directly prompt you to be baptized, you need not wait any longer. He already makes that challenge to each Christ-follower by his Word.

Where and When?

Please email or call the church office for the next scheduled baptism date.