baptism is an key part of making Jesus Lord and Savior
It's a core part of what Jesus teaches us in Matthew 28:19-20 as we go make disciples of Jesus.
WHO IS BAPTISM FOR?
Baptism is for those who've recognized sin in their lives and are convicted to make a clean break and follow Jesus (Acts 2:38, Acts 8:26-38). It's for those who are ready to join the local church (1 Corinthians 12:12-14) and to live a new, grace-filled life in Christ (Romans 6:1-11).
WHAT IS BAPTISM?
Baptism is the act of being totally immersed in water upon the willful decision to trust and obey Jesus. Baptism is not a "work" that saves us all by itself. It's an action that opens the door for the Holy Spirit to inhabit someone's life and is inseparable from faith, confession, repentance in Jesus' saving story. It's a form of acted-out prayer that signifies obedience (Acts 2:38), new birth (John 3:5-8), cleansing from sin (1 Peter 3:21), death and resurrection (Romans 6:1-4), a change of identity (Galatians 3:27-29), and cooperation with God's people around the world (Ephesians 4:3-6).
WHERE DO I GET BAPTIZED?
You can be baptized anywhere there is enough water to be fully immersed in. When you're ready (see below for "when to get baptized"), then we can baptize you here at Valley, at any body of water in our community, or even outdoors in a stream or lake (weather permitting). Many churches practice sprinkling or pouring as baptism, but at Valley we teach the precedent set by the Bible is to be totally immersed in water. Matthew 3:6, John 3:23, and Acts 8:38-39 make it clear that the ones being baptized "went down into the water" and "came up out of it" rather than being sprinkled or splashed with water.
WHEN DO I GET BAPTIZED?
If you've been part of another Bible-teaching church and have put your faith in Jesus, confessed Jesus as Lord and Savior, and repented of sin but have never been baptized, what are you waiting for (Acts 22:14-16, Acts 10:47-48)? If you've not yet made the above steps, we'd love to meet with you and teach you what the Bible says about starting a relationship with Jesus.
WHY SHOULD I GET BAPTIZED?
Baptism is an act of obedience to God through which you experience God's life-saving power and forgiveness while opening up your life as a home for the Holy Spirit (Colossians 2:12, Acts 2:38).