WHAT IS BAPTISM?
Baptism offers us an opportunity to tell the world publicly, “My life has been changed by God, and I am becoming a new creation in Jesus!” (2 Corinthians 5:17). Baptism shows our identity as children of God. We all have Next Steps to take in our walk with Jesus. For those who haven’t been baptized, baptism is an important Next Step.
WHAT IS BAPTISM?
WHAT DOES BAPTISM MEAN?
- First, baptism is about God’s choice. Baptism is a symbol of the amazing fact that God chooses US! Baptism affirms that we are children of God and recognizes that God’s grace is fully available to us because God chose to send Jesus as our Savior.
- Second, baptism is about our choice. Baptism is a symbol that we choose GOD! When we decide to be baptized, we are going public with our decision to accept God’s grace and to live our lives for Jesus.
Baptism is an outward, visible symbol of the work God is doing in our heart. Baptism helps us to go public with our decision to follow Jesus.
WHO GETS BAPTIZED?
- Some people are baptized as babies. When a family chooses to have a baby baptized, the family is publicly deciding to commit themselves to do all in their power to introduce their child to Jesus and to set the stage for her or him to become a follower of Jesus once they are able to make that decision for themselves.Deciding to baptize a child is a BIG deal! Baptizing a baby is not just a photo op or an item for a baby book. Baptizing a child means that parents or caregivers are committing to live a life that reflects Jesus so that their child will know Jesus as well. When babies are baptized, the church also commits to helping raise the child in the faith and to helping share Jesus with that child.Families who choose to have their children baptized are celebrating God’s grace for their child. They are also responding to God’s love for their child by committing to making sure their child knows that they have been chosen by God.
- Some people are baptized as children, students, or adults. A person chooses to be baptized when he or she makes a decision to follow Jesus. Being baptized as a child, student, or adult publicly acknowledges God’s choice to love and save us and our choice to love and follow Jesus.Deciding to be baptized is a BIG deal! The decision to be baptized is not simply something to check off on our “list of things to do” as a Christian. Instead, deciding to be baptized is a milestone event in our walk with Jesus that serves as a launching pad for us to grow in our faith and share our faith with others.
WHAT HAPPENS DURING BAPTISM?
Because baptism is primarily about what God does FOR US, we do not re-baptize people. God’s grace and love are not things that have to be “re-done”. However, some people want to re-commit to Jesus or re-experience their baptism as they take their next steps in their walk with Jesus. In those instances, Christians can participate in remembering their baptism, something we will celebrate together this weekend in worship.
Cokesbury is a United Methodist community of believers. There are many types of Christian communities, and some other groups understand baptism a little differently. For all Christians, baptism marks an important moment in a person’s faith story.
There is no “magic” to baptism, but baptism is a powerful moment in the life of a Christian. Baptism is not a requirement for salvation, but baptism is a symbol of the incredible work God does in the world and in our hearts and a symbol of our response to God’s actions and love for us. Similar to how a wedding signifies and celebrates a couple’s commitment to each other, baptism signifies and celebrates God’s commitment to us and our commitment to God.
Want more information? Would you like to be baptized? Contact Jill Stuckey.
LET US KNOW YOU WANT TO BE BAPTIZED
If you would like to be baptised, please contact Jill Stuckey to schedule your baptism. We look forward celebrating this important Next Step with you!
CONTACT US
MAILING ADDRESS:
9919 Kingston Pike
Knoxville, TN 37922
Office Hours:
Our office is currently staffed Monday through Thursday, 9 am to 3:30 pm. You are always welcome to contact us via email or phone.
Email Us
(865) 693-0353