intro
We are excited that you are interested in baptism. At Beachside Community Church we believe that baptism is an important step of obedience for every person who has accepted Christ as his/her Savior. This web page has been designed to explain baptism at our church and the steps necessary to being baptized. We consider it a privilege to walk with you as you take this next step on your spiritual journey. The following topics are intended to contain all the information you’ll need, but if after checking them out, you have further questions, feel free to contact us.
who should be baptized?
Christians are people who believe that the blood of Jesus Christ, shed on the cross, provides the sole basis for the forgiveness of sin. Therefore, salvation occurs only when a person places his or her faith in the death and resurrection of Christ as the sufficient payment for his or her sin. If you have accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, then you are ready to be baptized. Just like a bride and groom show others their love for one another by wearing wedding bands, your baptism is your opportunity to show others that you have accepted Christ and are now walking with Him. If you have any questions about how to begin a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, please contact us.
what does baptism symbolize?
Baptism is a way of showing others that a person has entered into a relationship with Jesus Christ. It symbolizes what took place in his/her heart at the time of salvation:
- Acceptance of Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.
- Sharing in His death and resurrection illustrated by going under the water (dead to our old life), then rising again (new life).
- Being symbolically washed clean, our sins being forgiven by His death on the cross.
Because Jesus instructed us to be baptized, baptism is an act of obedience. While it is not necessary for salvation, it demonstrates submission to God. We immerse at Beachside Community Church because we believe Scripture shows that Jesus modeled that for us as the way to publicly acknowledge our faith in Him.
what about infant christening?
In some denominations, infant christening represents a decision made by parents that they are dedicating their child to Christ. In many ways, that’s the same reason we do baby dedications at Beachside Community Church. It’s a very important time for parents to commit to raise their children in accordance with the teachings of Scripture. It is important to remember that whether you were christened as a baby or your parents participated in a baby dedication, that doesn’t make you a Christian. Only a personal acceptance of Christ’s death on the cross for your sins can do that. While we recognize the right of other churches to practice infant christening, we understand Scripture to teach that only professing believers qualify for baptism.
the baptism process
The baptism process has been designed to be both simple and meaningful. From the registration form to the baptism meeting, each step has been carefully planned with you in mind:
- Complete the baptism application. Once we receive your application we’ll contact you to schedule your videotaping and baptism.
- Attend a brief meeting to talk about baptism.
- Get baptized!
To submit your baptism application, click here.
making your video
One of the most powerful aspects of baptism at Beachside Community Church is the video testimony shown right before your baptism. The video allows you to share how Christ has been working in your life. Baptism is meant to be a public profession, and it is an incredible opportunity to share God’s message of redemption with hundreds of people. We have witnessed time and time again the effect these videos have had on people’s lives. Another important reason for the videos is that we as a congregation grow in our faith by watching these life-changing stories. It allows friends, family, and even those you don’t know to celebrate the amazing transformation God has worked in your life.
Prerecording allows you to do as many takes as necessary, while sharing the message you have thoughtfully and prayerfully prepared ahead of time. Some people are nervous about taping their stories, but we work hard to make the process both simple and fulfilling. We will have a meeting with you and go over everything you need to know about the baptism process in general, and the videotaping in particular. The video will be recorded several weeks before your baptism.
We want baptism to be a meaningful and enjoyable experience, and we look forward to walking through it with you!