8524 E. Thomas Road, Scottsdale, AZ
Our next baptism is Sunday, August 29, during our 10 AM Celebration Service. If you would like to be baptized, publicly declaring your new life in Christ and His cleansing work in your heart, please attend our next baptism class.
Water baptism is an important step in your Christian walk. If you have trusted Christ for your salvation but have not been baptized, make plans to do so as soon as possible.
Here are answers to some common questions about baptism adapted from "Baptism: An explanation of believer baptism and refutation of contrary beliefs" by Pastor Mark Driscoll of Mars Hill Church in Seattle.
Q: What is baptism?
A: Baptism is the Christian act of immersing a believer under water and then bringing him forth out of the water. It is a practical representation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, as the person being baptized is plunged beneath the waters and brought forth in the same way that Jesus was buried in the earth and resurrected on their behalf in forgiveness of their sins (Romans 6:1-10; Colossians 2:12). Baptism identified a Christian with Jesus (Acts 10:48; Romans 6:3; Galatians 3:27), the universal church (1 Corinthians 12:13), and the local church (Acts 2:41).
Q: Why should Christians be baptized?
A: Jesus commanded that all Christians be baptized (Matthew 28:19). His apostles also commanded that all Christians be baptized (Acts 2:38). Therefore, Christians should be baptized because their God and His servants command it.
Q: Who should be baptized?
A: First, John the Baptizer required that people repent of sin before they could be baptized (Matthew 3:2, 6; Mark 1:4; Luke 3:3). Therefore, only Christians who have repented of sin should be baptized. Second, every baptism in the New Testament is preceded by repentance of sin and faith in Jesus (Acts 2:38-41; Acts 2:41; Acts 8:12; Acts 9:18-19; Acts 10:44-48; Acts 16:14-15, 40; Acts 16:29-36; Acts 18:8; Acts 19:1-7; Acts 22:16). Therefore, only Christians who have repented of sin and have trusted in Jesus should be baptized. Third, baptism is reserved solely for people who have put on Christ (Galatians 3:27). Therefore, only those who are Christians should be baptized. In summary, repentance of sin and faith in Jesus are the marks of a Christian. And all Christians are commanded to be baptized in order to identify themselves with the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Subsequently, no one but a Christian should be baptized, and this excludes all non-Christians and children who are too young to demonstrate repentance and articulate faith.
Q: May I be baptized if I have previously been baptized?
A: Once someone has been baptized there is no need for him to be baptized again (Ephesians 4:5). The only exception to this is if someone was baptized as a non-Christian and desires to profess his faith and be baptized as a Christian (Acts 19:1-5). This exception would include people who were baptized in cults and heretical churches, as well as those baptized as infants at the request of their parents. We do not require that those who were baptized as children be re-baptized as believing adults, but leave this decision to the conscience of each Christian.
Q: Do members have to be baptized?
A: Since Jesus commands that all of his disciples be baptized, baptism is a requirement for all Grace Chapel members (Matthew 28:19; Acts 2:38; Acts 10:48; 1 Peter 3:21). If you've already been baptized since you became a Christian, you don't need to get re-baptized.