Baptism
What Is Baptism?
Baptism is an outward sign of an inward change — a public declaration that you have placed your faith in Jesus Christ alone for salvation. It’s an act of obedience to Jesus’ command given to His followers before He returned to heaven (Matthew 28:19–20).
When someone is baptized, they are symbolically identifying with Jesus — His death and burial as they go under the water, and His resurrection as they come up again (Romans 6:1–11; 1 Corinthians 12:13; Colossians 2:12).
Who Should Be Baptized?
If you’ve made a commitment to follow Jesus, baptism is the next step! It’s a public way of saying, “I belong to Him.”
The Bible shows that baptism is for those who have trusted in Jesus and turned from sin. Both Jesus and His apostles taught that all believers should be baptized (Matthew 28:19; Acts 2:38).
Because baptism carries deep meaning, it’s important that those being baptized are old enough to understand what it represents. Proverbs 20:25 reminds us not to make a vow without understanding it first.
We don’t set a specific minimum age, but we encourage parents to ensure their children truly grasp the significance of baptism before taking this step.
When Should I Be Baptized?
Many people say they’re “not ready yet” for baptism — but if you’ve already put your faith in Jesus, then you are ready!
If you believe that your sins had separated you from God and that you couldn’t earn your way to Him through good works, and if you have now accepted that Jesus is the one who has saved you, then baptism is simply your public proclamation of what has already taken place.
How Is Baptism Done?
At Whyte Ridge Baptist, we practice baptism by immersion — being fully submerged in water and then raised up again.
The Greek word baptizo literally means “to dip, plunge, or immerse.” In the Bible, Jesus Himself was baptized this way (Mark 1:10; Acts 8:34–39). Immersion beautifully pictures our identification with Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection.
What About Infant Baptism?
In the New Testament, parents brought their children to Jesus for blessing and prayer, but not for baptism. Baptism is for those who have personally decided to trust Christ for salvation.
If you were baptized as a baby, your parents were expressing a hope that you would one day follow Jesus. Your baptism now, as a believer, can be seen as the fulfillment of that hope — not a rejection of your past, but a celebration of your faith today.
While we do not baptize infants, we do encourage parents to dedicate their children to God’s care and guidance.
When Can I Be Baptized?
As soon as possible! We would love to walk with you through this important step of faith.
If you’d like to learn more or feel ready to be baptized, please talk with one of our pastors or deacons. They will help guide you through the process. Click here to send an email to the church office.