Baptism
What is baptism?
Go therefore and make disciples of all nations baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. - Matthew 28:19
Baptism is an outward expression of an inward change, a proclamation of faith in Christ and commitment to a relationship with God and the body of Christ. While baptism itself has no power to save, it is an expectation of all believers (Acts 2:38, 22:16, Mark 16:16, 1 Cor 12:13, Acts 2:41, Romans 6:3-4, Galatians 3:27).
As believers, we seek to emulate Christ, and at Gate City Bible Church, we follow his example in the act of baptism. First, we believe baptism is a public act. Jesus was not alone with John in a wilderness stream when he was baptized. There was an assembly of people there to witness it (Luke 3:21). Second, we practice full-immersion baptism. The symbolism of baptism, that of dying to the old self, being buried with Christ, and being raised to new life in Christ (Romans 6:3-4) prescribes the act of full immersion in water.* And finally, baptism is for believers only (Mark 16:16, Acts 2:41, Acts 8:12). While we do not discourage children from baptism, at Gate City we do not baptize infants or children that are too young to comprehend the gospel on a basic level.
*If you wish to be baptized, and have a physical limitation that prevents full-immersion, please reach out to our leadership team.
Should I be baptized?
And now why do you wait? Rise and be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on his name. -Acts 22:16
While baptism itself does not wash away your sins, it is a pivotal step in the conversion of a believer "from death to life". If you believe that you are a sinner in need of a Savior, trust in Jesus Christ's finished work on the cross as full atonement for your sin, and commit to begin a new life with Jesus that starts now and lasts into eternity, we invite you to be baptized and thus fulfill the call of Christ.
We at Gate City are excited to celebrate with you whether you're new to the family of Christ, you've been a believer for years and have never been baptized, or you were baptized as an infant and wish to participate in the believer's baptism for the first time, or somewhere in between!
What's my next step?
Baptisms will be scheduled on an as-needed basis and will take place outdoors as weather permits, or indoors if necessary. We will try to schedule several at one time to make the celebration even bigger!
If you are ready to baptized or have futher questions, please click the button below and our leadership team will reach out to you.