We love that we get to partner with you to see the next generation become who God has called them to be! We ask that a parent or guardian be present for the baptism of anyone under the age of 18.
To ensure that water baptism is a meaningful declaration of faith, we’ve put together a few questions for you to talk through with your child. Please do this before signing them up to make sure they are ready to take this step.
As you discern if your child is ready to be water baptized, here are some questions to ask them. After each question, you will see some sample answers that would indicate that your child understands.
If your child confidently answers these questions, they are likely ready to be baptized. Take a moment to offer a prayer of gratitude for their decision to accept Christ and to be baptized. If you don’t feel your child understands what it means to be baptized just yet, it’s perfectly acceptable to wait. Use this opportunity to let your child observe water baptisms and talk to them about what it means.
Jesus is God’s one and only son. He lived his whole life on earth, just like us. He was fully man and fully God.
Jesus died on the cross but came back to life. Because He did, we can spend forever in heaven one day.
Find out if your child has a memory of when they understood what Jesus did for them and that they needed Jesus in their life. It may have been at church, at home or even a time when they were alone.
It’s when we follow Jesus’ example of being submerged in water in front of others. Baptism means showing that I believe in Jesus and I want to follow Him.
I want to show everyone that I love Jesus and have decided to follow him with my whole heart.
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Jesus was baptized and he tells us to be baptized. It shows others what Jesus has done on the inside of us.
When I go into the water, it shows that my old life is gone. When I come up out of the water, it shows that I’m starting a new life with Jesus.
Yes, I know that when I get baptized that I’m telling everyone that I belong to Jesus now.
Romans 6:3-4 (NIV) – Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.
Galatians 3:26-27 (NIV) – So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.
Colossians 2:12 (NIV) – …having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through your faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead.
Mark 16:16 (NIV) – Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.
Acts 2:38 (NIV) – Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”
Child dedications are an opportunity for parents to publicly display their commitment to raising their children according to God’s Word and His ways. Water baptisms provide individuals with the opportunity to publicly tell others that they have accepted Jesus as their Lord and Savior. In essence, parents choose to dedicate their children to God, while each individual must personally take a step of faith to be a Christian and then decide to be baptized.
We believe what the Bible says, that salvation comes through faith alone by believing in Jesus. Water baptism is a public declaration of the internal transformation that has taken place. It is an outward expression that declares our love for Jesus and publicly acknowledges our commitment to follow Him.
