If you are considering taking the next step in baptism, learn about
what baptism means to us and why it is a great next step.
In scripture, baptism is included as part of the faith response of those who accept God's gift, and baptism is vitally important to one's acceptance of salvation. It depicts our repentance and identifies us with Christ. Jesus himself was baptized, so that alone should be reason enough for us to follow suit.
Baptism speaks to the reality of the victory of Jesus in our lives. Baptism is proof of our salvation and part of our public profession of faith and repentance from sin. But Baptism is no more 'saving' in itself than saying a particular prayer or walking up an aisle or going to church or studying the Bible or feeding the poor. Some of those things are explicit commands for people who are saved, but that doesn't make those acts the same things that save us.
Salvation is the work of God alone. There were times when Jesus attached baptism to the proclamation of His gospel and times when He did not. What we can say is that the Bible commands baptism. We can't under-emphasize the importance of baptism in the process of becoming a sold-out follower of Jesus. Paul wrote, "We died and were buried with Christ by baptism. And just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious power of the Father, now we also may live new lives," (Romans 6:4).
When Jesus died, they placed Him in a tomb, and on the third day He rose again. When we become followers of Christ, we enter into new relationships with Him. We are buried with Him in baptism, just as He died and was buried, and then we are raised from the water just as He was raised from the dead. This illustrates our new life in Jesus.
Three thousand people were baptized that day. They didn't 'have all their questions answered. They didn't have their lives worked out. Most had only just heard the message of Jesus that day, but they came to follow Him and be baptized immediately. You don't need to get your life worked out to get baptized — you get baptized as a part of working your life out and leaning into the power of God.
After giving your life to Christ, one of the most important decisions
you can make is to go public for Jesus by being baptized in water.
Baptism is an outward sign of an inward commitment that you made when you accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. Baptism is not about being perfect, but rather, making a life-long commitment to grow in your relationship with Jesus Christ.
Northgate is a non-denominational church with an online campus and two beautiful physical locations in the Bay area. Our staff and volunteers can't wait to meet and pray with you.
Address & Contact:
2201 Lake Herman Road
Benicia, CA 94510
USA
Phone: (707) 747-5855
Email: office@ngate.org
Web: https://thisis.church/benicia
Online Services: Sunday
9:00 & 11:00 AM
Office Hours: Monday - Thursday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Address & Contact:
1325 Valencia Street
San Francisco, CA 94110
USA
Phone: (415) 285-1433
Email: officesf@ngate.org
Web: https://thisis.church/sanfrancisco
Online Services: Sunday
9:00 & 11:00 AM
Office Hours: Monday - Thursday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM