|
Have you been baptized by immersion since praying to receive Jesus as your Forgiver and Leader? Baptism is a response of obedience to Jesus as the Leader in your life (Acts 2:38-41). Although baptism is not a requirement for forgiveness and heaven, it does demonstrate our recognition that Jesus is the Leader over every aspect of our lives.
Baptism is a picture or a snapshot of the transformation that takes place in the heart of a man or woman, at the moment of inviting Jesus into their life. When a person is placed under the water that is a snapshot of our heart's condition before inviting Jesus to enter our life and a picture of death because of sin. However, when we are brought up out of the water that is a snapshot of a renewed, re-born heart that was transformed by placing one's faith in Jesus as our Forgiver and Leader. See: Statement on Baptism
Jesus gave the church a command, “Go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teach them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matthew 28:18-20 NIV emphasis added).
In summary, the essentials of baptism are: Place your faith and trust in Jesus as your Forgiver and Leader; attend our baptism class which will help answer your questions; and, seek to follow Jesus' command to be baptized, as a demonstration of your renewed, re-born heart.
The next step after baptism is to GROW in your love relationship with Jesus. This is a life-long journey that Pleasant Hill is excited to help you make. GROW!
|
