Jesus And Baptism
Jesus
The Bible tells us that Jesus is God incarnate; He is God the Son, eternally one with God the Father and God the Holy Spirit. He alone can forgive our sins and give salvation.
The writer of Hebrews explains how "In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe. The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven" (Hebrews 1:1-3).
Many people believe that Jesus lived, was a good teacher and a very spiritual man, but they deny that he is God. A diluted Jesus is not the real Jesus. We must be careful to believe in the Jesus that he himself declared he was, "not be[ing] led astray from [our] sincere and pure devotion to Christ" (2 Corinthians 11:3).
Here are eight declarations and actions of Jesus that show us who he believed he was and is:
1. Jesus said He was God.
Matthew 26:63-65 "But Jesus remained silent. The high priest said to him, 'I charge you under oath by the living God: Tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God.' 'Yes, it is as you say,' Jesus replied. 'But I say to all of you: In the future you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.' Then the high priest tore his clothes and said, 'He has spoken blasphemy! Why do we need any more witnesses? Look, now you have heard the blasphemy.'"
John 8:58-59 " 'I tell you the truth,' Jesus answered, 'before Abraham was born, I am!' At this, they picked up stones to stone him, but Jesus hid himself, slipping away from the temple grounds."
John 10:30-33 " 'I and the Father are one.' Again the Jews picked up stones to stone him, but Jesus said to them, 'I have shown you many great miracles from the Father. For which of these do you stone me?' 'We are not stoning you for any of these,' replied the Jews, 'but for blasphemy, because you, a mere man, claim to be God.' "
John 14:8-9 "Philip said, 'Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us.' Jesus answered: 'Don't you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, 'Show us the Father'?' "
2. Jesus said He came that we might have life.
John 10:10 "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full."
3. Jesus said He came from heaven, God's eternal dwelling place.
John 6:38 "For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me."
John 16:28 "I came from the Father and entered the world; now I am leaving the world and going back to the Father."
4. Jesus said He was sinless, as God alone is without sin.
John 8:46 "Can any of you prove me guilty of sin? If I am telling the truth, why don't you believe me?"
5. Jesus forgave sin.
Mark 2:5 "When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, 'Son, your sins are forgiven.'"
Luke 7:48, 49 "Then Jesus said to her, 'Your sins are forgiven.' The other guests began to say among themselves, 'Who is this who even forgives sins?' "
6. Jesus said He was the only way to heaven.
John 14:6 "Jesus answered, 'I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.'"
John 11:25 "Jesus said to her, 'I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies.'"
7. Jesus accepted worship as God.
Matthew 14:33 "Then those who were in the boat worshiped him Jesus, saying, "Truly you are the Son of God."
John 9:38 "Then the man said, 'Lord Jesus, I believe,' and he worshiped him."
8. Jesus performed miracles including raising others and himself from the dead.
Matthew 4:23 "Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people. Matthew 17:18 "Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of the boy, and he was healed from that moment."
Luke 8:49-50, 52-55 "While Jesus was still speaking, someone came from the house of Jairus, the synagogue ruler. 'Your daughter is dead,' he said. 'Don't bother the teacher any more.' Hearing this, Jesus said to Jairus, 'Don't be afraid; just believe, and she will be healed.' …Meanwhile, all the people were wailing and mourning for her. 'Stop wailing,' Jesus said. 'She is not dead but asleep.' They laughed at him, knowing that she was dead. But he took her by the hand and said, 'My child, get up!' Her spirit returned, and at once she stood up. Then Jesus told them to give her something to eat."
Luke 7:12-15 "As he approached the town gate, a dead person was being carried out—the only son of his mother, and she was a widow. And a large crowd from the town was with her. When the Lord saw her, his heart went out to her and he said, 'Don't cry.' Then he went up and touched the coffin, and those carrying it stood still. He said, 'Young man, I say to you, get up!' The dead man sat up and began to talk, and Jesus gave him back to his mother."
John 11:43, 44 "When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, 'Lazarus, come out!' The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face. Jesus said to them, 'Take off the grave clothes and let him go.' "
Luke 24:5-8 "In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, 'Why do you look for the living among the dead? He [Jesus] is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: 'The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.' Then they remembered his words."
WHAT IS BAPTISM ALL ABOUT?
The Bible clearly teaches that baptism is the first step of obedience after making a commitment to follow Jesus Christ. Baptism allows a believer to communicate to the world their heart-felt commitment to Christ. Here you will find answers to many questions regarding baptism. Another great resource is Steven's recent message on baptism. In this message, Steven addresses the importance of baptism by immersion and answers frequently asked questions.
Our next baptism will be June 23.
Click 'Request Information On Our Next Baptism' and complete the form to express interest.
Request Information On Our Next Baptism
Why should I be baptized?
We are to be baptized because:
1. Jesus was baptized. At that time Jesus came from Nazareth and was baptized by John in the river. — Mark 1:9
2. Jesus said we should be baptized. Jesus said, “Go then, to all people everywhere and make them my disciples, baptize them in the name of the Father, the Son and Holy Spirit, and then teach them to obey everything I have commanded you.” — Matthew 18:19-20
3. Water baptism is a public announcement that you are a Christ-follower. Many of the people who heard Him believed and were baptized. — Acts 18:8 We know that we have come to know Him, if we obey His commands. — 1 John 2:3
Why does Stonecreek practice baptism by immersion?
In Scripture, “baptize” means “to immerse or dip under water.” We baptize the way we see in Scripture that Jesus was baptized. "As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water." — Matthew 3:16
Every water baptism in the Bible was by immersion. "Then both Philip and the man went down into the water and Philip baptized him. When they came up out of the water …" — Acts 8:38-39
Who should be baptized?
Every person who believes in Jesus Christ should be baptized. "Those who believed and accepted His message were baptized …" — Acts 2:41; "Simon himself believed and was baptized …" — Acts 8:13; "But when they believed Philip as he preached the Good News … and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women." — Acts 8:2
What about infants and children being baptized?
At Stonecreek, we do not practice infant baptism. We wait until children are old enough to believe and understand the true meaning of a relationship with Jesus Christ before we baptize them. Some churches practice a “baptism of confirmation” for children or “infant baptism” for babies. This is different from the baptism we read in Scripture, which is only for those who express a personal belief in Jesus Christ. While many of us were “confirmed” as children in our parents’ church, that confirmation or baptism was the parents’ decision as a covenant between them and God on behalf of the child. Stonecreek only practices water baptism by immersion after an individual has made a personal commitment to Jesus Christ. Stonecreek does offer a Parent-Child Dedication service where parents and the church commit to raising a child according to biblical principles.
What is a Parent-Child Dedication service?
Parent-Child Dedication is a public covenant between parents and God to raise their children according to biblical principles. Water baptism is not part of the parent-child dedication. During this service, parents publicly dedicate their lives and homes to raise their children in the faith until the child is old enough to make his or her own personal confession of Christ. At Stonecreek, we host parent-child dedications as a special Sunday afternoon event at least twice a year. Click here for more information on the next parent-child dedication service, or contact Susan Pirkey, Stonecreek's Sprout Coordinator (, 770-754-7900 x102.)
Is baptism a requirement for membership?
No. The only requirements for membership are that you have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and that you have gone through our ALL IN Membership Information. Because baptism is an expression of faith in Christ and not a requirement for salvation, it is not a requirement for membership at Stonecreek. However, this does not lessen the importance of baptism. Every believer should follow Christ’s example and instruction to be baptized.
When should I be baptized?
As soon as you have believed! We encourage you not to delay. "Those who believed … were baptized … that day!" — Acts 2:41; "Then Philip began with the Scripture and told him (the eunuch) the Good News about Jesus. As they traveled along the road, they came to some water, and the man said, “Look, here is water! Why shouldn’t I be baptized right now?” Philip said, “If you believe with all your heart, you may.” The man answered, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.” So they went down into the water and Philip baptized him." — Acts 8:35-38
If I was baptized after faith in Christ by a method other than immersion, do I have to be baptized again to become a member at Stonecreek?
No. As long as your baptism (sprinkling, pouring or immersion) was after faith in Christ as a public announcement of your commitment to Jesus Christ, you do not have to be baptized again to be a member of Stonecreek. However, Stonecreek solely practices baptism by immersion. It would be your choice to participate in Stonecreek’s practice of water baptism by immersion.
I was baptized before I made the decision to follow Jesus Christ. Can I be baptized again?
Yes. Many who become participating members choose to be baptized again if their first baptism experience preceded their conversion to Jesus Christ.
