We are excited that you are interested in baptism. At Connexus Church we believe that baptism is an important step of obedience for every person who has accepted Christ as his/her Savior. This have been designed to explain baptism at our church and the steps necessary to being baptized at an upcoming service. We consider it a privilege to walk with you as you take this next step on your spiritual journey. The following pages are intended to contain all the information you’ll need, but if after checking them out, you have further questions, feel free to contact Sarah, our administrative assistant at sarah.flemming@connexuscommunity.com.
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:
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 Connexus 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?
We believe that the Bible teaches that when people are old enough to understand what it means to put their faith and trust in Jesus Christ as their own personal Savior, they can then choose to be baptized. Therefore we do not practice infant christening or baptism. We do however, encourage parents who have made a commitment to Christ and who have a new addition to their family or who are new Christ followers to consider dedicating their children. Dedication is about your commitment as a parent to lead your child into a growing relationship with Jesus Christ. As he gets older, you are able to guide him and to help him understand what that means. Dedication is more than an event. It is an opportunity for you to take some time at the beginning of your journey as a parent to really think about what will matter the most in the life of your child. We encourage you to really talk together as parents and decide what you value and what you can do today that will have the greatest impact on your child’s future. To submit an application for Dedication, click here.
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:
About Making your Baptism Video
One of the most powerful aspects of baptism at Conexus is the video testimony shown right before each person’s baptism. The video allows each person to share how Christ has been working in her life. Prerecording allows them to do as many takes as necessary, while sharing the message they have thoughtfully and prayerfully prepared ahead of time. Many people ask, “Do I have to do the video?” The answer is yes, if a person wants to get baptized at Connexus. Baptism is meant to be a public profession, and it is an incredible opportunity to share God’s message of redemption with thousands 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. Some people are nervous about taping their stories, but we work hard to make the process both simple and fulfilling. Prior to each baptism, we have a meeting with baptism candidates and go over everything they need to know about the baptism process in general, and the videotaping in particular.
We want baptism to be a meaningful and enjoyable experience, and we look forward to walking through it with you!