Your faith in Jesus is personal
Baptism is how you share it
What is water baptism?
Water baptism is the visible sign of the life commitment we make to Jesus, just as a wedding ceremony is to a marriage. Baptism involves a process of prayer and immersion into water. It was a common practice in ancient Judaism. Jesus himself was baptized to represent his commitment to God the Father.
Today, baptism symbolizes the washing away of our sins and the turning away from wrong thinking, wrong attitudes, and wrong actions towards a lifestyle that is honoring God. The apostle Paul also mentions, in Romans 6:1-4, just as Jesus was buried and resurrected from the dead, so baptism symbolizes that we too have died to our old way of life and have been raised to a new life in him.
Why do we still baptize people today?
Jesus instructed His followers/disciples to baptize those who came to believe in Him. He says, “Go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit,” Matthew 28:19. After a person has become a follower of Jesus, baptism becomes a public statement to the world, and to the community of believers, that that person has committed their life to following Jesus.
Who may be baptized?
If you are ten years or older, and you’ve decided to trust in Jesus Christ for your salvation, then you may be baptized at Petra. The reason we ask children to be ten years or older is so that they fully understand the commitment they are making to the Lord.
How can I be baptized at Petra Church?
Water baptism generally takes place three times a year: two at the church on Sunday mornings, and our summer baptism is held at an outdoor venue on Sunday evening in July.
Participants need to do the following:
- Register – online registration opens six weeks prior to the event.
- Complete the application
- Participate in an instructional class (see dates below).
