Baptism

Express your faith through baptism! If you have received Jesus Christ as your personal Savior and would like to be baptized, register by visiting the Information Center on Sunday or by calling the church office at 480.888.1560.

Once you start your lifelong adventure with Christ, baptism by immersion is a tangible way of showing your new commitment. Just like a wedding ring signifies a marriage, the act of baptism signifies a life change and acceptance of Jesus into your life. Find out what the Bible teaches about baptism at the next Starting Point.

LifePoint recognizes baptism as a total immersion, rather than a christening or partial immersion. Total immersion represents the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Full immersion baptism also fulfills part of the Partnership (membership) commitment at LifePoint.

Understanding Baptism

Some may consider baptism as Christianity’s initiation rite. It’s more than that, but it includes the idea that once a person admits to his or her sin and asks Christ to forgive it, a public step has to be taken to show the watching world that this person is now a Christ follower.

Baptism has always stood there as a “do you mean it or don’t you mean it?” kind of test. It is one thing to say in the privacy of your heart at home, “I’m a Christian.” It’s a whole other thing to step out of the shadows and stand in front of a group of people at your baptism, demonstrating publicly the fact that what Christ has done for you on the cross has taken effect in your life, and now you’re a member of His family. And, you are not ashamed – you are not ashamed – to stand up and give public witness to that reality.

When you go public, it’s tough to turn back, because people will expect you to live congruent with, in agreement with, the Name you bear. And that’s one of the functions of baptism. It forces us to decide, do we mean it or don’t we? Are we going to stay in the shadows, just doing closet Christianity? And by the way, often closet Christianity is just a form of counterfeit Christianity. Make no mistake about it, Jesus commanded those who claimed to be His followers to demonstrate the fullness of their faith by being baptized publically – no exceptions – not for introverts, not for the rich – everybody was called to be baptized if Christ was to become their Savior.

Just before His ascension, Jesus gave His disciples, and Christian leaders throughout the ages, the specific order to continue to challenge new believers to be baptized, no matter what culture or belief system they come out of, no matter what price they might have to pay to be baptized.

In Matthew 28:19-20, we read, “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, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Who Will Baptize Me?

We invite you to have the person who led you to Christ or someone who encouraged you along the way to baptize you. Or if you would prefer, one of the LifePoint pastors would be happy to assist with the baptism.

Prerequisites for Baptism

Children Grade 6 and Younger: In order to be baptized, children must either attend the “KidsLife Baptism Class” or meet with one of the children’s pastors prior to being baptized. This is done so that the young child will fully understand the decision they are making. It is our recommendation that no child under the age of 8 be baptized.

Junior and Senior High Age: In order to be baptized, all youth must complete “Next Step” or meet with the Jr. High or Sr. High pastor. This is done prior to the baptism so that they fully understand the decision that they are making.