Baptisms are scheduled several times a year. If you are ready to be baptized, you may indicate your desire on the info card in the back of the seat or the tear off on the bulletin and place it in the offering plate, email or call the church office, or talk with a pastor during or after the decision time at the conclusion of the service.
Baptism
The Meaning of Baptism: Taking the Next Step
At Valley Grove Baptist Church, we believe that baptism is one of the most significant and beautiful moments in the life of a believer. It is a public celebration of a private decision, a way to tell your family, your friends, and your church family that you have decided to follow Jesus Christ with all your heart.
Why Do We Practice Baptism?
Baptism is something Jesus Himself did, and it is something He commanded His followers to do. We don’t view baptism as a way to “get into heaven” or a way to wash away sins. Instead, we see it as an act of obedience. Just as a wedding ring is a visible sign that someone is married, baptism is a visible sign that a person has already been saved by God’s grace. It is your first public shout to the world that Jesus is your Lord and Savior.
Why Immersion?
The word baptize actually comes from a word that means “to dip” or “to plunge under water.” Following the pattern we see in the Bible, we practice baptism by immersion. This means we lower the person completely under the water and bring them back up.
This simple action tells a powerful story:
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Going under the water represents the death and burial of Jesus. It symbolizes that our old self and our past mistakes are buried.
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Coming up out of the water represents Jesus rising from the dead. It symbolizes that we have been given a brand-new life and a fresh start through Him.
Who Should Be Baptized?
Because baptism is a public declaration of faith, we believe it is for anyone who has personally made the decision to trust in Jesus for salvation. We call this Believer’s Baptism. If you have reached a point in your life where you understand that Jesus died for you and you have asked Him to lead your life, then you are ready to be baptized!
Joining the Family
When you are baptized at Valley Grove, you are being welcomed into a community. It is a time for the whole church to cheer and celebrate the work God is doing in your life.
If you are ready to take this next step, or if you just have a few more questions, we would love to help. If you have questions about baptism, please contact us today. We look forward to celebrating this special milestone with you!
Baptism FAQ's
Does Valley Grove practice immersion or sprinkling?
We baptize by immersion. Looking to Jesus as our example, we read in Matthew 3:16 that Jesus began his earthly ministry by being baptized and was immersed in the water. Every baptism in Scripture was by immersion. In fact, the word “baptize” means “to dip.”
What if I have already been baptized or sprinkled?
If you have already been immersed, with an understanding that to do so is an act of obedience and not a step of salvation, Valley Grove recognizes and celebrates that baptism with you. If you have been sprinkled, either as a child or adult, while we recognize that as a spiritual marker in your life, we believe that it is important for your spiritual journey to be immersed, and it is necessary for church membership.
Do you baptize children?
We do baptize children ages 5 and up. We want parents to be equipped to have these conversations with their children. The child and parent can then make the decision as to whether the child is ready for baptism. We want to ensure that a person understands the meaning of baptism before choosing to experience it. Our family pastor is also always available to meet with families during this process, contact Ethan Njezic at: ethan@valleygrove.org
What about infant baptism?
Because we believe baptism should follow a personal decision to follow Christ, we do not baptize infants. We do have parent dedication several times a year. This is a special time for parents to make a commitment before the Lord to submit a child to God’s will and to raise that child according to God’s Word.
How do I know if I am ready to be baptized?
Baptism is for anyone who has chosen to become a follower of Jesus. Baptism will not give someone eternal life. That comes through faith in Jesus. Baptism is a way of publicly identifying with Jesus.
How does baptism work at Valley Grove?