Water Baptism
At Trinity Church we believe water baptism is a significant biblical part of our Christian discipleship and development. We want to help make this event out of the ordinary and unforgettable for you. The following information is available for your preparation.
Baptism is an act of obedience.
We baptize new believers in obedience to Jesus’ command.
Jesus, undeterred, went right ahead and gave his charge: "God authorized and commanded me to commission you: Go out and train everyone you meet, far and near, in this way of life, marking them by baptism in the threefold name: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Then instruct them in the practice of all I have commanded you. I'll be with you as you do this, day after day after day, right up to the end of the age."
Matthew 28:18-20 (MSG)
We call these verses “The Great Commission.” in them, Jesus instructs His followers to take the message of the good news about Jesus into the entire world. The command to baptize followers of Jesus is a very important part.
Baptism is an act of discipleship.
We baptize new believers because Jesus was Himself baptized by His cousin John. When we are baptized, it’s an act of following Jesus, an act of discipleship. This is what discipleship means—to follow Jesus.
Jesus then appeared, arriving at the Jordan River from Galilee. He wanted John to baptize him. John objected, "I'm the one who needs to be baptized, not you!" But Jesus insisted. "Do it. God's work, putting things right all these centuries, is coming together right now in this baptism." So John did it. The moment Jesus came up out of the baptismal waters, the skies opened up and he saw God's Spirit--it looked like a dove--descending and landing on him. And along with the Spirit, a voice: "This is my Son, chosen and marked by my love, delight of my life."
Matthew 3:13–17 (MSG)
Baptism was the practice of the early church.
When we follow the Lord by following Him in baptism, we are following the example of the early church we find in the book of Acts. Acts is a historical book in the New Testament, which recounts the story of the first followers of Jesus. The following Scriptures are some of the examples found in the New Testament of Christians being baptized: Acts 2:36–38; 2:41; 8:36–38; 10:47–48; 16:30–34.
Baptism is a watery grave.
Baptism symbolizes the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus, yet baptism is more than symbolic. It is a spiritually significant work of living faith, whereby we bury the “old man” (Romans 6:6). We are included in Jesus’ suffering and triumph when we first believe. When we are baptized, we are baptized into Jesus’ death and the waters of baptism become for us a watery grave. The person we used to be exists no more! The old “us” has been buried!
What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? By no means: how shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ, were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin may be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. For he that is dead is freed from sin.
Romans 6:1–7 (Webster)
Baptism is a sign of God’s Covenant made without hands.
God relates to His people through covenant. When God established His covenant with Abraham, there was a sign of covenant given—circumcision. In the new covenant God has established with us through Jesus, baptism is the outward sign of our commitment in the covenant.
Entering into this fullness is not something you figure out or accomplish. It's not a matter of being circumcised or keeping a long list of laws. No, you're already in--insiders--not through some secretive commencement rite but rather through what Christ has already gone through for you, destroying the power of sin. If it's an initiation ritual you're after, you've already been through it by submitting to baptism. Going under the water was a burial of your old life; coming up out of it was a resurrection, God raising you from the dead as he did Christ.
Colossians 2:11–12 (MSG)
Baptism is pictured in the story of Moses, Israel and the parting of the Red Sea.
When God delivered His people Israel out of bondage in Egypt, they passed miraculously through the parted waters of the Red Sea. They passed through out of slavery into freedom and a new life. The chariots of Egypt were drowned in those same waters. This is a great picture of Christian baptism. When we trust in Christ, we are liberated from our bondage to sin and selfishness and set free to live the new resurrection life of Jesus. When we are baptized, we pass through the waters from slavery into freedom and our old life is destroyed much like Pharaoh’s armies.
Remember our history, friends, and be warned. All our ancestors were led by the providential Cloud and taken miraculously through the Sea. They went through the waters, in a baptism like ours, as Moses led them from enslaving death to salvation life.
1 Corinthians 10:1–2 (MSG)
Are You Ready to Be Baptized?
Trinity Church offers a water baptism class for those desiring to be water baptized. Classes are held every Wednesday night. Join us in the west foyer of the TAC (6701 University Ave) at 7pm on Wednesday evening.
For more information, contact Renee Fikes at 792-3363 ext 266, email rfikes@trinitytoday.com, or fill out this form:
