Baptism is one of two ordinances we practice here at Peaceful Valley Church.  We believe that every believer in the Lord Jesus Christ should be baptized (Acts 2:41; 8:12Acts 2:41; 8:12
English: World English Bible – WEB
41 Then those who gladly received his word were baptized. There were added that day about three thousand souls. ¹² But when they believed Philip preaching good news concerning the Kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.

).  It doesn’t make you a believer- it shows what you already believe.  We are saved by God’s grace through faith (Eph. 2:8-9Eph. 2:8-9
English: World English Bible – WEB
8 for by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, ⁹ not of works, that no one would boast.

).

A person who is baptized is following the example set by Jesus (baptized by John- Matt. 3:13-17Matt. 3:13-17
English: World English Bible – WEB
13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John, to be baptized by him. ¹⁴ But John would have hindered him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and you come to me?” ¹⁵ But Jesus, answering, said to him, “Allow it now, for this is the fitting way for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he allowed him. ¹⁶ Jesus, when he was baptized, went up directly from the water: and behold, the heavens were opened to him. He saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove, and coming on him. ¹⁷ Behold, a voice out of the heavens said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.”

) and is and being obedient to His command (Matt. 28:19-20Matt. 28:19-20
English: World English Bible – WEB
19 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, ²⁰ teaching them to observe all things that I commanded you. Behold, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.

).  It also serves as a statement of one’s faith.  In Acts 18 it says, “… many who heard him (Paul- his testimony that Jesus is the Christ) believed and were baptized.”

Baptism is an outward expression of an inward decision to follow Jesus.  It illustrates the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ (1 Cor. 15:3-41 Cor. 15:3-4
English: World English Bible – WEB
3 For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, ⁴ that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures,

) and gives us a picture of new life in Christ (2 Cor. 5:172 Cor. 5:17
English: World English Bible – WEB
17 Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old things have passed away. Behold, all things have become new.

).  Tell the world you believe by being baptized!

Oftentimes people wait to be baptized but that’s not biblical.  A person should be baptized as soon as they become a believer and realize the importance of publicly declaring their faith and identifying with Christ.  A good example is found in Acts 8:35-38Acts 8:35-38
English: World English Bible – WEB
35 Philip opened his mouth, and beginning from this Scripture, preached to him Jesus. ³⁶ As they went on the way, they came to some water, and the eunuch said, “Behold, here is water. What is keeping me from being baptized?” TR adds “Philip said, ‘If you believe with all your heart, you may.’ He answered, ‘I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.’”^{37  38} He commanded the chariot to stand still, and they both went down into the water, both Philip and the eunuch, and he baptized him.

.  Philip shared the Good News about Jesus to an Ethiopian eunuch.  This man was an important official on his way home from Jerusalem.  The Bible says that as they traveled along the road they came to some water and the eunuch was baptized by Philip.  He believed the Good News and was baptized that same day.  So were those who believed in Acts 2:41Acts 2:41
English: World English Bible – WEB
41 Then those who gladly received his word were baptized. There were added that day about three thousand souls.

.

A common question is, “What if I was baptized as a baby? ”  Some churches practice a ‘baptism of confirmation’ for children.  The parents promise to raise their son or daughter in the faith until that child understands enough to make a personal confession of faith.  It’s actually a tradition that began some 300 years after the Bible was completed, but is not biblical.  The baptism of the Bible is only for those old enough to believe.  The purpose is to publicly express your personal commitment to Jesus Christ.  We only baptize those who believe that Christ’s death satisfied the payment due for sin.

If you were baptized as a baby we encourage you to be baptized now as a believer.   It will affirm the promise your parents made and allow you to make a personal commitment to follow Jesus for the rest of your life to the best of your ability.  Testify to the world that you believe by being baptized!