You can download our Baptism Guide for Youth here, and you can also read the content below.
WHO SHOULD BE BAPTIZED?
- Those who have repented of sin and believed in Jesus.
“Repent and be baptized.” Acts 2:38
“And many…believed and were baptized.” Acts 18:8
WHEN SHOULD A PERSON BE BAPTIZED?
- After he/she has repented and believed.
“But when they believed…[the] good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized.” Acts 8:12
- When he/she demonstrates fruit of conversion, including:
An ongoing belief in the truth of the gospel (1 John 2:23-24; 5:1).
A love for God that produces a desire to obey God’s commands and to turn from worldliness (1 John 2:3-6; 2:15-17; 5:2).
A love for God that produces a love for other believers and a commitment to the church (1 John 5:1; 4:7-8; 2:19).
HOW SHOULD A PERSON BE BAPTIZED?
- By immersion in water.
“They both went down into the water…and he baptized him.” Acts 8:38
- By another believer in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” Matthew 28:19
WHY SHOULD A PERSON BE BAPTIZED?
- Because Jesus and the apostles commanded baptism.
See Matthew 28:19 and Acts 2:38, for example.
- To testify that we are disciples of Jesus who are re-born by the Spirit, cleansed of our sin, and members of His body.
- To identify with Jesus in His death, burial, and resurrection.
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN A PERSON IS BAPTIZED?
- We follow the example and teaching of Jesus.
See Matthew 3:13-15 and Matthew 28:20.
- We testify to the gospel of Jesus Christ.
“…Having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead.” Colossians 2:12
- We experience God’s grace and blessings.
“Since Jesus commanded his church to baptize, we would expect that there would be a measure of blessing connected with baptism, because all obedience to God by Christians brings God’s favor with it. This obedience is specifically a public act of confessing Jesus as Savior, an act which in itself brings joy and blessing to a believer. Moreover, it is a sign of the believer’s death and resurrection with Christ, and it seems fitting that the Holy Spirit would work through such a sign to increase our faith, to increase our experiential realization of death to the power and love of sin in our lives, and to increase our experience of the power of new resurrection life in Christ that we have as believers.” Wayne Grudem, Systematic Theology
HOW SHOULD I PREPARE FOR BAPTISM AS A YOUTH AT SOVEREIGN GRACE CHURCH?
- Discuss with your parents your desire to be baptized.
- Discuss the baptism discipleship materials with a parent over a period of time (maybe even several months). The 3 resources are listed at the end of this guide.
- Turn in your baptism application (at the end of this guide) at least one week prior to the scheduled baptism. (You may hand the application to a pastor, or mail or email the information.)
- Contact your care group and other appropriate individuals to invite them to attend to celebrate with you.
- Pray that God will help you to understand the significance of baptism, and that God will meet you with His active presence.
- Arrive early for the service, with clothes that are modest, especially when wet. Bring a towel and a change of clothes as well.
- Prayerfully anticipate God’s grace and blessings!
APPLICATION FOR BEING BAPTIZED
Name:
Parents:
Date:
Address:
Phone:
E-mail Address:
Care Group Leader (if applicable):
Have you reviewed these baptism discipleship resources with a parent?
- Living the Cross-Centered Life by C.J. Mahaney
- Preparing Young People for Baptism booklet by David Michael
- “Baptism” chapter from Wayne Grudem’s book, Bible Doctrine
(All of these resources are available at the resource center on Sunday mornings.)
When were you born again?
Have you been baptized with water before?
If so, when?
Why do you desire to be baptized?
