At Prince, we believe that baptism is an outward expression of the work that Jesus has done in a believer's life—it's something worth celebrating!
We are so excited that you or your child are interested in being baptized.
Take a minute or two to fill out this form so we can contact you and schedule your baptism!
Each month, we will highlight baptisms from the previous month—these are worth celebrating!
While you may not have been able to celebrate with them in the room, we hope you’ll take the time to watch the highlight videos below.
What is the purpose of baptism, since salvation is “by grace through faith”? (Ephesians 2:8,9)
Water baptism is the ordinance representing the identification of the Christian with the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Water baptism is clearly a PICTURE of something which took place in the heart of the believer the moment they were saved. (1 Peter 3:21)
Water baptism pictures that you are “crucified” (standing upright in water), you are “buried” (immersed into the water), and you are “resurrected into new life in Christ” (raised out of the water). Water baptism then, is a picture of spiritual baptism as defined in Romans 6:3-5 and 1 Corinthians 12:13. It is the outward testimony of the believer’s inward faith.
A person is saved the moment he places his faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Baptism is a visible testimony to that faith.
Scriptural baptism portrays four important scriptural truths:
So then, water baptism is a picture of what transpired when you placed your faith and trust in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ to forgive you from your sins. (Romans 6:3-5) It does not atone for sin. Only the blood of Christ cleanses us from sin. (1 John 1:7; Colossians 1:14)
The Bible makes it clear that scriptural baptism is BELIEVER’S baptism.
When the Philippian jailer asked, “What must I do to be saved?” They said, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved….” (Acts 16:30-34) Paul did not tell him to be baptized to be saved. His baptism came AFTER his believing, which sets the scriptural standard.
According to the established Bible pattern, only those who have trusted the Lord Jesus Christ as their personal Savior should be baptized. Water baptism, then, is NOT salvation, but obedience to a command by God concerning discipleship.
The Bible teaches that water baptism follows shortly after spiritual baptism (the new birth). Notice the example of Paul (Acts 9:18), Cornelius (Acts 10:43-48), and the Philippian Jailer. (Acts 16:33)
You were placed into the body of Christ by spiritual baptism at the moment you were saved (Galatians 3:26-27). Now you follow the miracle of spiritual baptism with physical immersion into water, according to Acts 8:38; 10:47; 16:33.
The obvious answer is in the presence of other believers, the local New Testament church. The Lord Jesus Christ gave the local church the ordinance of water baptism (Matthew 28:18-20). An ordinance is a ceremony appointed by Christ to be administered in the local church as a visible remembrance of the sacrifice of Christ on Calvary.
Immersion (covered by, submerging) New Testament, or believer’s baptism has these essentials:
Only by submersion can a body represent a death and burial. Only then can it be a portrayal of being raised to new life in Christ.
It is not difficult to see that the only mode of baptism which fulfills all these pictures is the immersion of the believer in the water.
Is Immersion essential? (1 Corinthians 1:17)
To salvation? No!
To obedience? Yes!
Spiritual baptism is the Christian’s identification with Christ (Colossians 2:12). This is why we should submit to water baptism.
Romans 6:3-5 teaches us that it is literally a picture of your death, burial, and resurrection with Christ. It is your first act of obedience to God after salvation.
Consider the following:
Scriptural baptism pleases the Lord. When Jesus was baptized, God the Father said, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased” (Matthew 3:17). When we follow the example of the Lord Jesus Christ, we certainly please the Father.
Scriptural baptism is a testimony to the world. Jesus said, “Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven” (Matthew 10:32). Our baptism is a public testimony of our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, and the way in which we identify ourselves with Christ in His death, burial and resurrection.
If your recent prayer to trust Jesus was your salvation commitment, then you need to be baptized. Remember, baptism comes after sincerely and consciously trusting Jesus as Savior.
Many have had a similar experience; on discovering the reasons for scriptural baptism, you can understand the need to be baptized by immersion, just as Jesus and many other followers in the Bible were immersed.
Usually, infant baptism reflects the most loving intentions of a family, but the child is not old enough to have any decision, acceptance, or trust in the matter. In the Bible, baptism always came after someone had consciously and purposefully made a personal decision to accept and trust Jesus as Savior and Lord.
Some denominations teach that baptism has varied meanings other than those taught in the scripture. Bible doctrine teaches that baptism is not a “sacrament” that imparts saving grace, but an ORDINANCE. We are not saved by baptism, but by faith in Jesus Christ and His blood…” cleanses us from all sin.” (1 John 1:7) Baptism is the outward symbol of what has already transpired in the heart of the one who has trusted the Lord Jesus Christ for full salvation.
If you were baptized with a theological understanding and mode contrary to New Testament teaching regarding baptism, we would want you to be baptized according to New Testament instruction in order to become a member of Prince Avenue Baptist Church.
Have you been obedient to the Word of God concerning the matter of believer’s baptism?