We are excited you are interested in baptism and consider it a privilege to walk with you as you take this step in your spiritual journey.
At Grande Prairie Alliance Church, we believe baptism is an important step of obedience for everyone who has accepted Jesus Christ as his or her Saviour. The following information has been designed to explain baptism at our church and the steps necessary for being baptized at an upcoming service.
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Baptism... who is it for?
Baptism is for anyone who has a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. It is for those who believe that Jesus died on the cross for their sins; that He has forgiven their sins and that Jesus alone can save them from their sins. John 3:16 states "For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life." (NLT)
If you have asked forgiveness of your sins, believe that Jesus died for your sins and you have accepted Him as your Lord and Saviour, you are ready to be baptized.
Baptism... what is it?
In believing in Jesus Christ, you made an inward decision to trust Him as your Lord and Savior. Romans 10: 9-10 states "If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by confessing with your mouth that you are saved." (NLT)
Baptism is the physical acknowledgement of the inward decision to make Jesus Christ Lord of your life. Baptism can also be an opportunity to publicly share your story of the difference Jesus has made, and is continuing to make, in your life.
Baptism is a symbolic act, a public acknowledgement of the change that has happened in your life when you accepted Jesus Christ into your heart. In baptism, you go under the water to signify death to your old self and you come up out of the water to signify a new life, changed life. 2 Corinthians 5:17 says "...anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun." (NLT)
Baptism is also an act of obedience. In accepting Jesus as our Lord and Savior, we are now followers of Jesus Christ and His life is our example to follow. The Bible teaches us in Matthew 3:13-15, that Jesus himself was baptized, "Then Jesus went from Galilee to the Jordan River to be baptized by John. But John tried to talk him out of it. 'I am the one who needs to be baptized by you.' he said, 'so why are you coming to me?' But Jesus said, 'It should be done, for we must carry out all that God requires.'" (NLT)
In Matthew 28:19-20, Jesus tells His followers to teach others about Himself and to then baptize them:"Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you." (NLT)
Through these scriptures, we see that Jesus gives us the example of baptism and shows us that we are to believe in Him and then be baptized.
Baptism... how do we do it?
There are many forms of baptism; from sprinkling to pouring to immersing. Different denominations use different methods. At Grande Prairie Alliance Church we baptize by immersion believing this way is based on God's Word and that Jesus, himself, was baptized by immersion. "For you were buried with Christ when you were baptized. And with him you were raised to new life because you trusted the mighty power of God, who raised Christ from the dead." Colossians 2:12 NLT
The original meaning of the ancient Greek words "baptisma" and "baptize" mean to dip or immerse. It should be noted that most Bible scholars agree that in the primitive church, baptism was by total immersion or burial, as we see in the verse above.
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Online Class
You have just read what baptism represents, what the Bible taught about baptism, and what our church believes. Your next step is to take the Baptism Class. This is available online, or at the church every couple of months.
Watch the class here and follow along with these notes. When you are done, fill out the form below to show us you have completed the class.