Baptism

What is baptism?

 

Baptism is an external, public declaration of an internal, personal decision to believe in and follow Jesus.  Baptism symbolizes the changes that have taken place in someone when they decide to become a follower of Jesus Christ: (1) they are dead to sin and made alive in Christ, (2) they are a dearly loved son or daughter of God, (3) they are increasingly submitting their lives to Jesus, and (4) they are commissioned to live on mission for Jesus. 

  • 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. (Romans 6:3-4)
  • How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! (1 John 3:1)
  • For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Mark 10:45)
  • Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” (John 20:21)

Baptism does not make you a Christ-follower; it simply declares to those around you that you already are one and are orienting your life around Him. 

 

Who is baptism for?

  • Baptism is for anyone who has made a decision to have Jesus Christ be their Savior and Leader.  We do not put any age restrictions on baptism.

What type of baptism does Kettlebrook Church practice?

 

Kettlebrook practices baptism by immersion. 

  • We baptize people who have already become followers of Jesus. 
  • The mode in which we do this is “immersion”, which means we completely “immerse” individuals in the water.  
  • We believe this is the best representation of the picture of baptism from Romans 6 of being united with Christ in his death and resurrection.

Why should I be baptized?

  • Because Jesus commanded it. (Matthew 28:18-20)
  • Because it publicly shows you are a Christ-follower. (Acts 18:8)
  • Because we are to celebrate our new life in Christ!!! (2 Corinthians 5:17)

What if I was baptized as an infant?

  • If you participated in a baptism ceremony as an infant, we encourage you to consider being baptized as a believer.  If you went through a baptism ceremony as an infant, it very likely wasn’t an external, public declaration of an internal, personal decision to believe in Jesus Christ.  Baptism was more your parents’ choice than yours.  With this in mind, we encourage those who have internally, personally decided to believe in and follow Jesus to externally, publicly show this through being baptized.

Want to be baptized? Fill out the Baptism Interest Form


2025 Baptism Gathering and Picnic: TBD