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An Ordinance:

Baptism is an ordinance. That means that it was commanded by Jesus as a practice for us to continue until he returns.

A Sacrament:

That means that it conveys the truth of the grace imparted to us through Jesus. The other sacrament recognized by the church is, Holy Communion. Through the water of baptism, and the bread and wine of communion we connect to the amazing truth that by grace we have received new life through the death and resurrection of Jesus.

The symbolism of Baptism:

There are several powerful symbols present in the waters of baptism. Most significant is the symbolic nature of death and resurrection. Like Christ we are buried (symbolized by the submersion under the water), and like Christ we are raised to new life (symbolized by our resurfacing above the water). Baptism also symbolizes the passage from one life to the another (see biblical references below). It is an outward sign of an inward truth.

• Noah and the Ark (through the waters of the flood) – Genesis 6-9 “God remembered”
• Exodus from Egypt (through the waters of The Red Sea) - Exodus 14 “God made a way”
• Into the Promised Land (through the waters of The Jordan River) – Joshua 3
• Jesus Baptized in the Jordan - Matthew 3
• Jesus calls his followers to baptized – Matthew 28

Baptism is a part of Salvation:

• Turning from sin (repentance)
• Turning to Christ (faith)
• Receiving the gift of the Holy Spirit (Jesus's own spirit in you)
• Getting baptized by water
• Identifying with Christ’s church
• Lifelong process of becoming more like Jesus (sanctification)

What baptism is NOT:

• It is not merely getting a little wet or all wet
• It is not merely a meaningful ceremony, ritual or tradition
• It is not an act which (by itself) saves you

We are saved by God’s grace alone, doing good works can’t save you, but you are saved to do good works.

Ephesians 2:8-10

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

1. Obedience : “If Jesus said so, I’ll do it.”
   Baptism is a command, not an option (Matt 28:18-20; Mark 16:15-16). Therefore, it requires our obedience. "If Jesus said so, I'll do it." Jesus gave explicit instructions that His followers be baptized after they had come into a saving relationship with Him. This is not merely a suggestion, but rather a command to be acted upon. In fact, beginning with the Early Church, the Christian Church has practiced baptism throughout its history. Here at Highrock, we believe that baptism is an act of personal and community obedience that sets us on the right path for growth as followers of Christ. Baptism indicates that we are serious about developing our relationship with Jesus and following him fully.
2. Identification : “I am a follower of Jesus Christ and a member of his community.” Baptism is symbolic of our spiritual union with Christ (Romans 5:1-2; 6:3-4, 5-7) Therefore, it is the external expression of our identification with Christ. "I am a follower of Jesus Christ and a member of his community" (1 Corinthians 12:12-13). We identify with Jesus Christ and his people when we are baptized. When you are physically baptized, you outwardly express the inward reality that you have now died to your old life, and are now resurrected to new life in Christ (Romans 6:3-4). You identify with Jesus Christ and make a public statement that you are a true follower of his and you are baptized in his name.
3. Declaration : “I want others to know.” Baptism is a public confession of our faith in Jesus Christ (Acts 2:41, 47). ​​Therefore, through baptism we declare our faith publicly: ​​​​​"I want others to know." Not only do we privately acknowledge our belief in Christ, but also we go public with our faith, and declare the fact that we have decided to become followers of Christ. This public declaration is a very meaningful experience for us as it is a time of community celebration and can be a public witness to others who have not yet decided to follow Christ. It is also a powerful time for witnessing changed lives, and for telling our stories.

No, if you are a confessing believer in Jesus, then you already have received his spirit. In fact, you would not have been able to choose Christ, and follow him, without the spirit. In his letter to the Ephesian Church, Paul encouraged them to ‘be filled’ with the spirit. That was not a directive to be baptized in the spirit. Rather, it is a call for us to yield control of our lives to the moving of the spirit who lives in us already. Pentecostal theology states that there are two baptisms, one baptism in water, and one baptism in the Holy Spirit. There are several instances in scripture where the spirit moves in such a way that people were gifted with supernatural gifts, speaking in tongues, healing, etc. This is a powerful witness to the way the spirit can move in our lives, but it does not necessitate a second baptism. The spirit is already in you – listen and obey.

​“YOU”, if you are not yet baptized, and

• ​​You have received Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord
• You desire to obey Jesus’ instructions about baptism
• You are ready to identify yourself as a follower of Christ
• You are ready to declare yourself as a follower of Christ

​As soon as you can if you have made the decision to believe in Jesus Christ. Note the evidence in the New Testament (e.g. Acts 2:41; 8:35-39; 16:31-33). We typically hold baptisms on Easter Sunday, Pentecost Sunday, and the Sunday before Easter. We do not baptized people during the season of Lent (40 days before Easter).

1. Prepare a one-page testimony of how you came to give your life to Jesus.
   This is a good exercise in being concise. It should include a brief statement about where you live or what you do (work, school, etc.) What your life was like before choosing Jesus. What your life has been like now.
2. Set a date with pastor Stephen to film your testimony (know it well so you don’t need to look at your paper much).
3. Find someone to help you on Easter Sunday (hold your towel, walk with you to bathroom/changing room after baptism.
4. Come early on Easter Sunday (10:30am).
5. Bring a towel
6. Change of clothes
7. Invite your friends and family!

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