Baptism
INTERESTED IN SCHEDULING A BAPTISM?
Email Karen Carey at karenc@chccbw.org or call the church (425-488-4121) for the next available date and she'll get the information she needs from you to schedule this when it fits with your family. Canyon Hills generally schedules baptisms for the 3rd Sunday of the month during any of our services.
BAPTISM CLASS
Baptism class provides a thorough investigation of the Scriptures about Christian baptism.
Next class will be Sunday, March 14th at 9 am in Room #103. Email: karenc@chccbw.org to sign up.
WHAT DOES GOD'S WORD SAY ABOUT BAPTISM?
Baptism is not an ordinance of the Church to be ignored nor is it to be elevated above its intended purpose and value. This Bible study forms the framework of the purpose and practice of baptism at Canyon Hills Community Church.
WHAT DID JESUS DO?
He began His public life and ministry with baptism (Matthew 3:11-17). At the age of thirty, Jesus enters the stage of human history by publicly being baptized by John the Baptist in the Jordan River. This significant event marked the beginning of Jesus’ journey to the cross of Calvary. First, it marked His identification with sinners. He was called to identify with the people He came to deliver. Ultimately, Jesus would bear the sins of all mankind and His baptism was a visible example of His willingness and commitment to do all the right things before God.
Secondly, it marked the revelation of His Messiahship. Jesus had arrived to do the will of His Father. Before a watching world, His life purpose and identity were revealed by heaven itself. The Bible says that the Holy Spirit in the form of a dove descended and landed on Him, and a voice from heaven declared that Jesus was God’s Son and that God was pleased with Him. Thirdly, the baptism of Jesus is to be understood as a foreshadow of what He would so willingly go through on our behalf. His death, burial, and resurrection are perfectly pictured in His baptism.
WHAT DID JESUS SAY?
He concluded His public life and ministry with baptism (Matthew 28:18-20). It is often believed that a man’s last words are some of the most significant and meaningful of his life.
In His last conversation while visibly present on earth, Jesus gave the command to make disciples, baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Jesus called the church to identify the beginning of each disciple’s decision to follow Him by being baptized. There were to be no "closet Christians." He chose to have His last words centered on the act of baptism.
It is clear that the historical record indicates that both the example of Jesus and the last command of Jesus included baptism.
BAPTISM HAS A VERY SPECIFIC MEANING FOR THE BELIEVER
The Greek word for baptize is baptizo and is translated as: to dip, plunge, overwhelm, soak, or immerse. It is also a word often used to describe the process of fabric being put into a vat of dye that literally changes the color of the fabric before it is raised up from the vat to dry. It is the word always used in connection with a believer’s baptism. The Greek word for sprinkle is rantizo, and it is never used in connection with believer’s baptism.
1. A Confession of Faith in Christ (Acts 2:34-38)
When Peter declared, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, that the very first converts to Christianity be baptized, he left no doubt that they were to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Our identity as a faithful follower of Christ is put on public display for all the church to hear and see. Baptism is the believer’s first opportunity to unashamedly declare his allegiance to Christ. If a person has genuinely accepted Christ, he should not only be able, but willing to say so!
2. A Communion of Life in Christ (Romans 6:3-6)
The Apostle Paul conveys that baptism is a deep level of communion with Christ. Both Christ’s death and resurrection are substitutionary on our behalf, and when Christ died for the believer, it was as though the believer and all of his sin died with Him. When Christ was resurrected, it was as though the believer was resurrected, being rescued from the punishment of death that his sins deserved. Baptism symbolizes this unique and miraculous relationship with Jesus Christ. Because of Jesus, our spirit has been made alive. When a person is baptized, he declares that he is united with Christ in His death, burial, and resurrection.
3. A Consummation of Eternity with Christ (Romans 6:22)
As the Apostle Paul’s discussion of salvation and baptism is concluding, he declares that the benefit we reap is holiness and eternal life. For the follower of Christ, baptism symbolizes a transferal of citizenship from this world to heaven. Baptism, more than any other physical act, is a picture of the gift of eternal life.
WHO SHOULD BE BAPTIZED?
The Bible is very clear when it comes to understanding who is a proper candidate for believer’s baptism.
Those Who Believe In Christ.
"Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned." —Mark 16:16
Those Who Repent Of Their Sin.
"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." —Acts 2:38
Those Who Profess To Be Disciples Of Christ.
"Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit." —Matthew 28:18-19
Because of the necessity and individuality of these requirements, it would be reasonable to conclude that infants are not proper candidates for baptism.