Baptisms at The Ridge are one of the most exciting times for our church. Seeing people take their next step in their relationship with God is what we’re all about. We want to do whatever it takes to reach our community for Christ and one of the ways we can help you on your spiritual journey is by answering your questions.

Here are six frequently asked questions that we get about baptism:

1. What is baptism?

Baptism is an outward expression of an inward change. It’s a public declaration of how Jesus has changed your life. Being baptized shows others that you’ve decided to follow Jesus, and allows others to celebrate this decision with you.(Acts 16:31–34)

Being dunked in water doesn’t save a person; baptism is a symbol and celebration of salvation (1 Peter 3:21). The power that brought Jesus back to life is the same power Jesus uses to change our lives. We love to celebrate next steps like baptism!

2. Why should I be baptized?

Jesus instructs us to be baptized and set the example by being baptized (Matthew 28:19–20, Mark 1:9).

Obedience to Jesus shows we believe and follow Him. (1 John 2:3). Because Jesus went public about His love for us, we can go public about our love for Him. Being baptized shows that we are turning away from a life of sin toward Jesus, the only one who can change us (Acts 2:38–41).

3. When is the best time to be baptized?

For everyone who decides to follow Jesus, baptism is the next step. Anyone who commits his or her life to following Jesus is ready to be baptized (Acts 8:12). We provide a number of opportunities throughout the year for people in our church to take this next step.

4. Do you baptize children?

As parents, we can help point our children to Jesus, but they are the ones to decide if they will commit their lives to Him (Romans 10:9).

Any instance of baptism follows a person’s decision to trust Jesus for his or her salvation and commitment to follow Him (Acts 10:47–48). At The Ridge, we wait until children are old enough to express their own decision to follow Jesus and understand the meaning of baptism.

5. What is the difference between sprinkling, immersion, or other types of baptism?

Baptisms in the Bible were by immersion. The original word for baptism most often referred to being immersed or submerged in water. Jesus was baptized by being immersed in the water and rising out of it (Matthew 3:16, Mark 1:10).

Being submersed in the water symbolizes the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus (1 Corinthians 15:3–4). Being submersed underwater represents our death to sin and old way of life, and being raised out of the water is a picture of how Jesus raised us and gave us a fresh start in life (Romans 6:3–5).

6. Do I need to be baptized again?

If you haven’t been baptized by immersion, we would encourage you to take this next step in your relationship with Jesus at The Ridge. While we are not trying to disregard other forms of baptism, we believe that baptism by immersion is the biblical response to following Jesus.

Often times people also ask this question if they were immersed as a young person (child or teen) and didn’t fully understand what they were doing. While it is hard to put a definitive statement for all situations, we would be happy to talk with you about this and help you decide if being baptized at The Ridge is your next step.

God never asks us to take a next step that isn’t good for us. He always gives us more than we deserve or can imagine, including the joy we receive from listening to Him and doing what He says.

Is baptism your next step? We have an opportunity to be baptized at The Ridge on Sunday, December 10 at the 9:30 and 11am service. If you’re interested in baptism, please fill out this form and someone from the church will contact you about what to do next.