BURIED WITH CHRIST, RAISED TO NEW LIFE

We get rowdy during baptisms! These are our favorite celebrations! The stories that we get to hear are simply incredible. Jesus is literally breaking into hard hearts & adopting rebels into His family! You may have been feeling the prompting of the Holy Spirit or been praying about getting baptized, but you’ve got some questions. Read below what Citylight believes baptism is, what it isn’t, and next steps to take on your way to getting baptized.

So what is Baptism?

It's a command.

Jesus commanded in Matthew 28:19, “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit”. Baptism is not optional to Jesus, it’s a command for every Christian. Intrinsically part of how Jesus defines a disciples.

It’s not necessary for salvation.

We believe that baptism is an outward symbol of an inward reality. In other words, baptism shows you and others what God has already done on the inside. Ephesians 2:8-9 says,"For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast"

It's a sign.

Baptism preaches the truth about Jesus’ work in your life. It’s a public profession of your faith that He has changed you and you have dedicated your life to Him. It’s a sign that puts the gospel on display for all to see (Romans 6:3-4)

It’s not for perfect people.

There isn't a standard you have to meet before you get baptized. The only thing is that you have trusted Jesus for salvation, confident that He did for you what you could never do for yourself (Acts 8:35-38)

It's a celebration.

"For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body" -1 Cor. 12:13
This means that not only have you been united with Christ but you’ve been united with the church. It means that the church family has a new member!

It doesn’t add anything to your salvation.

There's nothing you can do to make God love you more & there's nothing you can do to make God love you less. He already 'So loves' you (John 3:16) Baptism won't make God love you more. It shows that He already unconditionally loves you.

When should you get baptized?

Here at Citylight we practice believer’s baptism. The pattern of scripture is believers who make a conscious choice to dedicate their lives to Jesus. (Acts 2:37-41) If you are ready to proclaim that Jesus has saved you, then we encourage you to join us to celebrate at one of the three Baptism Sundays Citylight hosts throughout the year.

How does Citylight baptize people?

The Greek word for Baptism is “Baptizo” which means immerse or submerge. This definition fits with Jesus’ baptism (Matthew 3:16) as well as all of the baptisms we see John the Baptist performing. Therefore, our mode of baptism that we find to be the most biblical is submerging you fully into water.

Are you ready to get baptized?