Date, Time and Location

 

Baptism Sunday in City Square, immediately following the second service.

*Leave during final song and change clothes. Meet at the baptismal to check in.

 

 

What to Bring

 

  Bring a bag with 1 large towel and the clothes and undergarments you want to wear after the baptism. Remember also to bring something you can put wet clothes in after the event.

 

  Wear informal clothes. Women and girls need to wear dark colored clothing with a bathing suit underneath your clothes - for modesty’s sake, do not wear light colored clothing. Men and boys should wear a casual shirt and shorts or pants.

 

  You may also want to consider sandals or flip flops since you will be walking on surfaces after the baptism you could slip on. You will change clothes in the men’s and women’s restrooms off of City Square.

 

  Bring your friends and family! The more the merrier! This is a special moment in your life. Let those close to you celebrate with you. Pictures and video are encouraged!

 

How It Will Happen?

 

  After a brief explanation to those gathered regarding the significance of baptism, the pastor doing your baptism will call your name. Carry your towel with you and hand it to one of the attendants standing at the baptismal.

 

  You will walk up the stairs and step into the baptismal. The water will be heated and chlorinated. The pastor will guide you and show you where to sit down.

 

  As you are sitting in the water, the pastor will ask you if you would like to share anything. Feel free if you would like to take a few minutes and share how you came to know Jesus Christ and to speak to those around you about why it is important for you to be baptized. Feel free to write your comments down if you like but speak from your heart.

 

  When you are finished speaking (if you have chosen to), the pastor will ask you the following question: “Is your presence here an expression of your belief in the death and the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ?” If this is true, just say “yes.” He will then say, "On the basis of your belief in the death and the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ, I baptize you in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.” As he says this, he will slowly lower you under the


water and bring you back up quickly.

  Once you have been baptized, the pastor will help you out of the baptismal and the attendant will hand you your towel to dry off. Feel free to stay and watch the other baptisms or to immediately return to the restroom to change clothes.

 

  A Baptism Certificate will also be available for you as a way of remembering this moment. Many people choose to get these framed on their own for display in their home or office.

 

 

Questions and Answers

 

What is the significance of baptism?

 

Baptism is a way of telling people that you have become a disciple of Jesus Christ. It also depicts symbolically the internal spiritual realities that have occurred in your life as a result, namely, that you have died with Christ, been buried with Christ, and raised to new life in Christ. Romans 6:1-14 describes this well. We would recommend that you read this prior to the day of your baptism.

 

Do I have to be baptized to be saved?

 

No. Baptism isn’t required for salvation. Baptism is an expression of your belief in the Lord Jesus Christ.

 

Is there an appropriate age to be baptized?

 

The minimum age requirement we have established at City Church is ten years old. However, the most important consideration is that the person being baptized understands the reality of their sin, their need for Christ’s substitutionary atonement on the cross, and his bodily resurrection. We have baptized people from ten years old to eighty years old.

 

If I was baptized as a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ at another church, do I need to be baptized again at City Church?

 

While you are welcome to be baptized again at City Church, you do not need to be baptized again.

 

If I was baptized as an infant, should I be baptized?

 

Yes. As mentioned above, baptism is an outward expression of your inward decision to trust in the Lord Jesus Christ. Since infants cannot make that decision, it is important to be baptized as a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ.


What mode of baptism do you practice?

We practice baptism by immersion.

 

I haven’t seen a baptistry at City Church. Where do you do baptisms?

 

We have a portable baptistry that we can wheel in and wheel out after use.