What Is Baptism?

Baptism is the physical act of being submerged under water, which expresses a deeper spiritual reality in the Christian faith. It is an outward display of what has happened inwardly, mirroring Jesus' death, burial and resurrection.

When a person is immersed in water during baptism, their old selfish nature dies and is buried, rising again to walk a new life with Christ.

“For we died and were buried with Christ by baptism. And just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious power of the Father, now we also may live new lives” Romans 6:4 (NLT).

Baptism declares to the world you're committed to following Jesus and are part of His family (1 Corinthians 12:12-13). It's very special.

Should I Get Baptized?

We encourage all believers who have accepted Jesus as their Lord and Savior to be baptized. It is an essential act of faith and obedience to Christ’s commands (Matthew 28:19-20), which should be completed once, when a person is mature enough to understand.

Even Jesus, though He was without sin, was baptized as an example for us to follow (Matthew 3:13-17, Mark 1:9-11, Luke 3:21-22, John 1:29-34).

Baptism is an important foundation for Christian life, which should be done sooner, rather than later. Believers in the New Testament (Acts 2:41 and Acts 8:26-39) were baptized the same day they accepted Christ.

There's no better time than now to be baptized, and it's never too late. Please contact us if you would like to be baptized, or if you have further questions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can young children be baptized?

We baptize children when they are old enough to understand what it means and make a personal declaration of faith for themselves. Ages vary, but twelve is usually a good benchmark.

In the meantime, we practice baby dedications for believing parents who commit their young children and themselves to God.

I was christened as a child. Do I need to be baptized again?

Your baptism as an infant was a loving expression of faith by your family. At Pleasant Grove, we follow the examples provided in the Bible, baptizing believers who have accepted Jesus as their personal Lord and Savior.

We encourage you to be baptized as a believer, declaring your love, trust and commitment to following Jesus for yourself.

Will I be immersed in water during baptism?

Yes. We baptize by full water immersion as demonstrated by Jesus. In fact, all biblical accounts affirm this practice.

Do I need to be baptized to be saved?

No. We are saved by faith, not by works. Ephesians 2:8-9 (NLT) says, “God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it.”

Baptism is faith in action, and action makes faith complete (James 2:14-26). If we have the means to be baptised, then why wouldn't we? Jesus said, “If you love me, keep my commands” John 14:15 (NIV).

How can I be baptized?

Please contact us to enquire and register your interest. We host periodic baptism services throughout the year, as the need arises.

There Are Four Ways To Join Pleasant Grove Church

everlasting life

Salvation

You have decided to accept Jesus Christ as your Savior and forgive you of your sins. Baptism will follow these decisions.

understanding baptism

Baptism

Baptism through immersion follows salvation and symbolizes Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection.

cleansing gift of christ

Letter

Bringing a letter from a previous church; person has been baptized by immersion and is saved.

understanding baptism

Watchcare

Baptized believers who are temporarily away from their home church, in need of a place to worship, and continue to grow spiritually.

Baptism
Training

Under the direction of the Deacon Ministry, all candidates for baptism go through training which involves studying scripture to help them understand the purpose of baptism.

Children who come to accept Christ are received by the church. They are not baptized until they fully understand the meaning of baptism. Through routine conversations with the deacons, the child's readiness to be baptized is confirmed.

New Disciple
Orientation

All new disciples will attend the New Disciple Sessions held on Sunday mornings. At the end of these sessions, a Pastoral meeting will be held to complete the orientation process. The Right Hand of Fellowship is offered on the 4th Sunday of each month.

Each session is a step toward becoming a committed and mature Christian. After uniting with PGC, you can begin or enhance your life's journey developing as a Christian.