This is no small thing, and we commend parents who want their children to live under God’s grace and blessing - but in the Bible, Jesus blessed, but never baptized infants or children (Mark 10:16).  This is one reason we practice believers’ baptism, and not infant baptism

The Bible repeatedly describes this pattern: “they believed & were baptized” (Acts 18:8).  Notice, they weren’t baptized until they believed - something an infant is incapable of doing (Acts 2:41; 8:12; 16:15, 33; 19:5).  In believers’ baptism, we wait until a person trusts in Jesus.

***So, if you were sprinkled as an infant or child, thank God (and your parents) for giving you this blessing, but we ask you to reaffirm your faith in Jesus and be baptized as a believer by immersion.***

The New Testament Greek word for “baptize” (baptizo) literally means to “immerse,” “submerge” or “place under.”  Baptizo was used to describe sunken ships, drowned persons or fabric dyed another color.  So immersion = going under the water.

Besides honoring its literal meaning and imitating Jesus’ baptism (where He came up out of the water - Mark 1:10), immersion offers a meaningful picture.  We reenact Jesus’ death, burial & resurrection for us when we go under & come up out of the water (Romans 6:3-4).

It’s Jesus’ command.  Even He Himself took it seriously (Matthew 3:13-17; 28:19; Mark 16:16; Acts 2:41).  By our obedience, we give witness to His life-saving work and leadership in our lives.  Where are you?  Have you obeyed Jesus’ command to be baptized as a believer?