Jesus instructed us to. 

“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 that I have commanded you.” -  Matthew 28:19-20a  

It was the pattern of the early church. 

“When the people heard this, they were  cut to the heart and said to Peter and the  other apostles, ‘Brothers, what shall we  do?’ Peter replied, ‘Repent and be  baptized, every one of you, in the name of  Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins.  And you will receive the gift of the Holy  Spirit.” - Acts 2:37-38 

Through baptism we publicly confess to the church our  commitment to follow Jesus and we appeal to God for  the Spirit to enable us to live the Christian life. 

“... baptism [is not] the removal of dirt from the body but an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection  of Jesus Christ.” - 1 Peter 3:21

In addition to baptism being a public confession and  an appeal to God, it is also an oath of allegiance to Jesus as Lord.  

“There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope of your calling, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all and through all and in all.” - Ephesians 4:4-6

Through baptism we participate in Jesus’ death and  resurrection. 

“Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? Therefore we have been buried with him by baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father,  so we too might walk in newness of life.”  - Romans 6:3-4 

Through baptism we commit to participate in Christ’s body, the Church

“... in the one Spirit we were all baptized into one body – Jews or Greeks, slaves or free – and we were all made to drink of one Spirit.” - 1 Corinthians 12:13  

Through baptism we embrace our new identity - of being  “in Christ.” 

“As many of you as were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.  There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is  no longer slave or free, there is no longer  male and female; for all of you are one in  Christ Jesus.” - Galatians 3:27-28 

Through baptism, we are filled with the Holy Spirit

While Apollos was at Corinth, Paul took the road through the interior and arrived at Ephesus. There he found some disciples and asked them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when[a] you believed?” They answered, “No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.” So Paul asked, “Then what baptism did you receive?” “John’s baptism,” they replied. Paul said, “John’s baptism was a baptism of repentance. He told the people to believe in the one coming after him, that is, in Jesus.” On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. When Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied.  - Acts 19:1-6

It’s best to be baptized as soon as possible once you have made the decision to live as a follower of Jesus. But it’s never too late! If you have not yet been baptized, we encourage you to do so. 

If you look back on your infant baptism as a true giving of yourself to Jesus as Lord, and you have lived your life as a follower of Jesus, it’s not necessary to be baptized again. If that is not the case, we encourage you to be baptized again as a commitment or re-dedication of your life to Jesus.

If you were baptized in a Christian church, as a way of declaring your commitment to live as a follower of Jesus, there is no need to be re-baptized. However, if your baptism was merely a church ritual that did not truly express your commitment to Jesus, or you were baptized in a church outside of orthodox Christianity, we would encourage you to be baptized again.

Absolutely, as long as they are freely choosing to take that step, and have at least a basic understanding of what it means. We recommend that you wait until your children can make a thoughtful profession of faith that is their own. The more they are able to understand what they are doing, the more meaningful it will be to them.

At the Vineyard, we do not practice infant baptism. Instead, we dedicate infants to Jesus, and as parents, together with the whole church, we commit ourselves to raise our children to know and love God.

Gather with the Church to worship each Sunday, and pursue growing as a disciple of Jesus by joining a small group.

So those who welcomed his message were baptized, and that day about three thousand persons were added. They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. - Acts 2:41-42

Make following Jesus the center of your life

I appeal to you therefore, brothers and sisters, on the basis of God’s mercy, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your reasonable act of worship. Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of the mind, so that you may discern what is the will of God—what is good and acceptable and perfect.  - Romans 12:1-2

Reach out to a Pastor
If you are looking to take the next step in your relationship with God and publicly declare your decision to follow Jesus the rest of your days, we invite you to sign-up for baptisms.

Email Pat Mulcahy or Tom Lanham for information on how to sign up for our next baptism opportunity at Vineyard.