Go Public with Your Faith
Baptisms are always a joyful and meaningful moment for our church.
Hearing the stories of how God is at work in people's lives creates hope and inspiration. Maybe you've been sensing the Holy Spirit prompting you toward baptism and have been praying about it, but still have questions. Below you can learn what we believe baptism is, what it isn't, and the next steps toward being baptized.
Ready to Be Baptized?
Fill out the form below and a pastor will reach out to walk you through next steps and answer any questions.
What Is It?
Baptism Is...
Jesus commanded baptism for every believer — it's a sign, a celebration, and a public declaration of new life in Christ.
A Command
Jesus commanded in Matthew 28:19, "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit." Baptism is not optional to Jesus, it's a command for every Christian. An intrinsic part of how Jesus defines a disciple.
A Sign
Baptism is an immersion of a believer into water, symbolizing that he or she is united to Christ by faith, has experienced new birth, and professes a new allegiance to Jesus Christ. Baptism is a public profession that preaches the truth about Jesus' work in your life. It's a sign that puts the gospel on display for all to see! (Romans 6:3-4)
A Celebration
"For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body" — 1 Corinthians 12:13. This means that not only have you been united with Christ but you've been united with the church. As a family, we want to celebrate BIG that you know Jesus as your Lord & Savior! Praise God.
What It Isn't
Baptism Is Not...
Understanding what baptism isn't is just as important as understanding what it is.
Needed for Salvation
We believe that baptism is an outward symbol of an inward reality. In other words, baptism shows what God has already done on the inside. Ephesians 2:8-9 says, "For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast."
For Perfect People
There isn't a standard you have to meet before you get baptized. We repeat, you do not have to get to a certain point in your walk or rhythms before you can get baptized. It's the whole truth of the gospel — we are in Christ not through our works but through faith, grace, and Jesus! (Acts 8:35-38)
Additive to Salvation
Baptism is simply a public profession. It's an initial, outward sign of faith, of the inward reality. It doesn't make you closer to God nor make you a better part of the church.
When should you get baptized?
Here at Citylight we practice believer's baptism as opposed to infant baptism. The pattern of scripture is a pattern of believers who make a conscious choice to dedicate their lives to Jesus Christ. If you are ready to proclaim the name of Jesus, then we encourage you to join us to celebrate at one of the three Baptism Sundays Citylight hosts throughout the year.
How does Citylight baptize?
The Greek word for Baptism is "Baptizo" which means immerse or submerge. This definition fits with Jesus' baptism as well as all of the baptisms we see John the Baptist performing. Therefore, our mode of baptism that we find to be the most biblical is submerging you fully into water.