Baptism FAQ’s

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1. WHY BE BAPTIZED?

Water baptism is a public declaration of three very important things:

  • You are a follower of Jesus Christ.

    “Those who accepted his message were baptized.” —Acts 2:41

  • You have died to your old way of life.

    "Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death?....For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with..." Romans 6:3,6Matthew 28:18–20

  • You are part of a new family.

    “So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.” —Galatians 3:26–27

2. WHAT IS THE SIGNIFICANCE OF BAPTISM?

Water baptism is a public declaration of three very important things:

  • You are a follower of Jesus Christ.
    “Those who accepted his message were baptized.” —Acts 2:41a

  • You are beginning a changed life in Christ.
    “We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.” —Romans 6:4

  • You are part of a new family.
    “So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.” —Galatians 3:26–27

3. I HAVE ALREADY BEEN BAPTIZED. SHOULD I BE BAPTIZED AGAIN?

Your baptism should have signified you becoming a follower of Jesus and beginning a changed life. If you discern your baptism did not reflect this change of life, then you can be baptized again. If you have questions about this, please feel free to let us know and we can help you as you decide on this important part of your faith walk.

4. CAN MY CHILD BE BAPTIZED?

We will baptize anyone over age 6 who understands what baptism symbolizes and wants to make that personal public declaration. We encourage any parents to partner with our SC Kids and UY Student ministries to guide your children through these decisions of faith.

5. CAN MY INFANT BE BAPTIZED?

Throughout the New Testament, the Bible teaches that baptism is a public expression of worship symbolizing the new life we have when we follow Jesus. In the Bible we see that Jesus’ parents dedicated him to the Lord (Luke 2:22–40), and he was later baptized as an adult (Matthew 3:16–17).

We understand that some churches practice “baptism of confirmation” for children. This ceremony is intended to be a commitment between the parents and God on the behalf of the child. The parents promise to raise their child in the faith until the child is old enough to make his or her own personal confession of Christ. This custom began about 300 years after the Bible was completed and is different from the biblical examples of new believers being baptized to publicly profess their faith in Jesus.

At Southpointe we provide opportunities for child dedication and believer’s baptism. To schedule a Parent/Child Dedication, please visit the Child Dedication page here.