One of the things you will hear us talk about at East 91st Street Christian Church is the importance of Embracing Jesus personally. Exploring a relationship with Jesus, deciding to place your faith in him and beginning to grow in your relationship with Jesus are all things we celebrate at E91. Baptism plays a part in that. In the Scriptures, we see how baptism is one of the ways we respond to God as we recognize who Jesus is and what he has done for us through his life, death, and resurrection.

And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 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, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:18-20 ESV)

Jesus has given us an opportunity to communicate to the world around us that we are identifying with him. In a real sense, we are saying that we are “all in” with Jesus. In baptism, we identify with Jesus in his life, death, and resurrection (Romans 6:3,4). Through faith in Christ, we become new creations (2 Corinthians 5:17). We have a new identity (Ephesians 1:3-14). Through baptism, we glorify God by pointing to what Jesus has done for us.

We are excited for you as you consider taking this next step with Jesus.

BAPTISM IS

A symbol of Jesus' death, burial, resurrection, and new life.

We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. (Romans 6:4)

A way of publicly identifying myself with Christ as my Savior and Lord.

For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. (Galatians 3:27)

An illustration and celebration of my new life as a Christian.

Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. (2 Corinthians 5:17)

Having been buried with him in baptism and raised with him through your faith in the power of God, who raised him from the dead. (Colossians 2:12)

A joyful way to express my faith, just as people did in biblical times when they believed in Jesus Christ. Look, here is water. Why shouldn't I be baptized? (Acts 8:36)

Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ. (1 Peter 3:21)

A way of connecting in unity with the Lord's church.

For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body. (1 Corinthians 12:13)

There is one body and one Spirit--just as you were called to one hope when you were called--one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all... (Ephesians 4:4-6)

WHY SHOULD YOU BE BAPTIZED?

To follow the example of Jesus.

In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. (Mark 1:9)

To follow the command of Jesus.

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. (Matthew 28:19)

To follow the example of what happened when people accepted Christ in the New Testament church.

Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ so that your sins may be forgiven. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. . . . Those who accepted his message were baptized. (Acts 2:38, 41)

But when they believed Philip as he preached the good news of the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. (Acts 8:12)

WHY BE BAPTIZED BY IMMERSION?

Because Jesus was baptized that way.

And when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him. (Matthew 3:16)

Every baptism in the Bible was by immersion.

And he commanded the chariot to stop, and they both went down into the water, Philip and the eunuch, and he baptized him. And when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord carried Philip away, and the eunuch saw him no more and went on his way rejoicing. (Acts 8:38-39)

At E91, we believe God intends for baptism to be a joyful, worshipful, unifying event, not something that divides us (Ephesians 4:5). Rather than quarreling with people over the question, “Why must I be baptized?” it’s our goal to humbly, lovingly encourage an attitude of faithful obedience that says, “Look, here is water. Why shouldn’t I be baptized?” (Acts 8:37).

BAPTISM NEXT STEPS

Are you ready to be baptized? Are you still in explore mode and want to learn more about what it looks like to know God personally and be baptized? We're here to help! Fill out the Info Form below or Email Marc Boudouris, our Next Steps pastor if you'd like to move forward with being baptized.