I am so thankful for your decision to respond to the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and to follow His command to be baptized. Through this sacred act of obedience, you declare your allegiance to Him as your only hope in this life and the one yet to come. We so look forward to hearing your story of God at work in you! Thank you for inviting us into this step of faithfulness on your spiritual journey.
—R.D. McClenagan
—R.D. McClenagan
About Baptism
What We Believe About Baptism
Baptism is a personal and public declaration that you are a follower of Jesus Christ.
It is a beautiful picture of what Christ has done for us in His death, burial, and resurrection and of your identification with the work He's done for you. See Galatians 2:20-21.
Baptism does not save us
Followers of Jesus Christ are saved from their sins only by God’s grace. Baptism does not contribute to our salvation. Some believe and teach that baptism is a necessary part of salvation, that you can’t truly be a follower of Jesus until you’ve been baptized. Fellowship Church strongly disagrees with this teaching. See Ephesians 2:8-9.
Believer's Baptism
Fellowship Church practices what is called Believer’s Baptism, which means that we only baptize those people who have made a personal commitment of their lives to Jesus Christ. We encourage everyone who names Jesus as his or her Lord and Savior to be baptized. See Matthew 28:19; Acts 2:41, Acts 16:33-34.
It is a beautiful picture of what Christ has done for us in His death, burial, and resurrection and of your identification with the work He's done for you. See Galatians 2:20-21.
Baptism does not save us
Followers of Jesus Christ are saved from their sins only by God’s grace. Baptism does not contribute to our salvation. Some believe and teach that baptism is a necessary part of salvation, that you can’t truly be a follower of Jesus until you’ve been baptized. Fellowship Church strongly disagrees with this teaching. See Ephesians 2:8-9.
Believer's Baptism
Fellowship Church practices what is called Believer’s Baptism, which means that we only baptize those people who have made a personal commitment of their lives to Jesus Christ. We encourage everyone who names Jesus as his or her Lord and Savior to be baptized. See Matthew 28:19; Acts 2:41, Acts 16:33-34.
Why We Baptize
Baptism brings glory to God
Publicly declaring your faith in Jesus Christ is an act of worship. Sharing your spiritual story and faith in Him can encourage other believers as well as point the way for those who don't yet know Christ. They can see how you chose to follow Him and realize that they can, too.
We baptize because Jesus told us to
When Jesus gave the Church its marching orders, He said, “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.” Matthew 28:19-20.
Publicly declaring your faith in Jesus Christ is an act of worship. Sharing your spiritual story and faith in Him can encourage other believers as well as point the way for those who don't yet know Christ. They can see how you chose to follow Him and realize that they can, too.
We baptize because Jesus told us to
When Jesus gave the Church its marching orders, He said, “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.” Matthew 28:19-20.
How We Baptize
We baptize by immersion
The Greek word in the Bible that is translated “baptize” literally means “to immerse.” Immersion symbolizes the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ. It also symbolizes the completeness of your commitment to Him.
We baptize people in the name of the Trinitarian God (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit)
We take time to hear the story of how you came to be a follower of Jesus.
Sharing your story makes your baptism a more personal experience for you and for those who are present. Often people in the congregation will connect with your story in a way that really inspires them. That connection can become a pathway for them to move closer to Jesus. Our pastors intentionally invest time to listen to your story, celebrate how God is working in your life, and encourage you toward next steps in your journey of faith.
You can choose someone to baptize you
This is a beautiful aspect of Fellowship baptisms. Often people are baptized by a family member, mentor or friend who has made a spiritual impact on their journey toward becoming a follower of Jesus. However, if you prefer to be baptized by a pastor or elder, we are honored to do so.
The Greek word in the Bible that is translated “baptize” literally means “to immerse.” Immersion symbolizes the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ. It also symbolizes the completeness of your commitment to Him.
We baptize people in the name of the Trinitarian God (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit)
We take time to hear the story of how you came to be a follower of Jesus.
Sharing your story makes your baptism a more personal experience for you and for those who are present. Often people in the congregation will connect with your story in a way that really inspires them. That connection can become a pathway for them to move closer to Jesus. Our pastors intentionally invest time to listen to your story, celebrate how God is working in your life, and encourage you toward next steps in your journey of faith.
You can choose someone to baptize you
This is a beautiful aspect of Fellowship baptisms. Often people are baptized by a family member, mentor or friend who has made a spiritual impact on their journey toward becoming a follower of Jesus. However, if you prefer to be baptized by a pastor or elder, we are honored to do so.