If you are interested in being water baptized, please read the information below. Reach out to Pastor Rod or Malia to schedule a personal baptism date. Invite your friends and family to celebrate your monumental decision!
We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. If we have been united with Him like this in his death, we will certainly also be united with Him in His resurrection. For we know that our old self was crucified with Him so that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin — because anyone who has died has been freed from sin.
Romans 6:4-7 NIV
Physically, it is a symbolic act of giving your body to being submerged fully under water for a brief time.
GIVING A FUNERAL
Baptism is like a funeral for our “old life and nature.” We celebrate our death to self and our old past to enter a new way of life in and for Jesus.
GROWING FORWARD
Baptism is a commandment in the Bible, symbolizes our union with Jesus, and expresses our identification with Jesus life, death, burial, and resurrection.
GOING TO FOLLOW
Baptism is a public expression to others that we will go out to live a new life for Christ. We outwardly declare to God, the world, the church, even non-Christians, that we are followers of Jesus.
1. Do I need to be baptized to be forgiven and go to heaven?
No.
2. Can I be baptized more than once?
Yes. Not necessary, but not restricted.
3. I’m a Catholic. Can I be water baptized at your church?
Yes, if you love Jesus and want to grow in your relationship with Him.
4. Do I need to be a member of your church to be baptized?
No.
5. Does baptism make me a better Christian or cleanse my sins?
No. Jesus, the Father, and Holy Spirit does.
6. How old do children need to be to be baptized?
Old enough to make a a personal commitment to Jesus. I discuss this with parents.
7. I’m still so imperfect and sin. Should I be baptized?
Yes. Who is ever “perfect” or ready to be baptized?
8. I’m a brand new Christian and don’t understand the Bible. Should I still be baptized?
Yes, with a heart to grow in love and obedience to the Lord.
9. What if my family or friends want me to be baptized and I’m not ready?
Don’t be baptized for any other reason than obeying God’s Word, wanting to follow Jesus example.
For Biblical clarity or more questions, contact Pastor Rod by email rod@enewhope.org or phone 808-216-5493.
To obey God’s Word
Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Matthew 28:18-20 NIV
To follow Jesus’ example
Jesus replied, “Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.” Then John consented. As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and lighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”
Matthew 3:15-17 NIVYou are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.
Galatians 3:26-27 NIV
Baptism signifies that through repentance, forgiveness and faith, we belong to Jesus. As Christians, we are identifying with Christ’s death, burial and resurrection.
For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and you have been given fullness in Christ, who is the head over every power and authority. In him you were also circumcised, in the putting off of the sinful nature, not with a circumcision done by the hands of men but with the circumcision done by Christ, having been buried with him in baptism and raised with him through your faith in the power of God, who raised him from the dead.
Colossians 2:9-12 NIV
Water baptism is the New Testament ordinance, signifying our covenant relationship with God through Jesus. It replaces the covenant act of circumcision in the Old Testament.
When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the written code, with its regulations, that was against us and that stood opposed to us; he took it away, nailing it to the cross. And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.
Colossians 2:13-15 NIV
We are empowered to live a righteous life pleasing to God, not enslaved to sin.
Do not present your members to sin as instruments for unrighteousness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and your members to God as instruments for righteousness. For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace.
Romans 6:13-14 ESV
We become a part of a larger family and community of Christians kingdom-wide. We are in covenant with tribes, tongues and nations worldwide.
You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
Galatians 3:26-28 NIV
