BAPTISM

Baptism is symbolic of Christ’s death, burial and resurrection.
“ Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead....." ( Romans 6:3-4) 

1. To follow the example set by Christ.
“At that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan.” (Mark 1:9)
 
2. Because Christ commanded it.
“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
(Matthew 28:19–20)
 
3. It demonstrates that I am a Believer.
“We know that we have come to know him if we obey his
commands.” (1 John 2:3) 

As soon as you can after you become a believer!
“Those who believed were baptized that day.” (Acts 2:41)
“Then Philip began with the Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus. As they travelled along the road, they came to some water, and the man said, ‘Look, here is water. Why shouldn’t I be baptized right now?’ Philip said, ‘If you believe with all your heart, you may.’ The man answered, ‘I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.’ So they went down into the water and Philip baptized him.” (Acts 8:35-38)
 
The Bible teaches that there is no reason to delay your baptism. After becoming a believer, you should participate in the next available opportunity your church provides for baptism. If you wait until you feel you are a “good enough” believer, you will never feel ready for baptism. 

The Bible says that every person who believes in Christ should be baptized. A believer is someone who has realized that their sin has separated them from God. They have given up all personal efforts to reach God through good works or religious activity. They have concluded that Jesus Christ’s death on the cross for their sins is the only thing that can bridge the gap between themselves and God. A believer is someone who has decided to trust Christ alone for salvation. If you have come to that point in your spiritual journey, then you should be baptized.
(see Acts 2:41; 8:12-13) 

In the Bible, we see parents bringing their children to Jesus. He held them and prayed for them and told us to welcome them. But he did not baptize them, and he did not tell anyone else to baptize them. If baptism signifies salvation, as the Bible teaches, only people who have intentionally received salvation should experience baptism. Thus, the Bible would indicate that baptism is for people who have made a decision to follow Christ. If you have not experienced believer’s baptism, even though you have experienced baptism as an infant, the full meaning and significance of baptism has yet to take place in your life. We strongly encourage you to be baptized as an adult believer in Christ.
 
New Hope practices baby dedication. This is a time when parents pledge their commitment to raise their child according to Christian values and beliefs. While a very meaningful event, this is not a Christian baptism, according to the Bible. 

All instances of baptism in the New Testament occur following an individual’s decision to trust Christ alone for salvation (see Acts 2:41; 8:12; 10:47-48). That means, at New Hope, we wait to baptize a child when they are old enough to believe and understand the true meaning of baptism. When a child makes a decision for Christ, we then joyously baptize them in the Christian faith after conferring with the parents.
If your child would like to get baptized we ask you, as the parent and or guardian, to walk through the ABCs of salvation with them. This will help you gauge the understanding your child has about salvation and if they are ready to take their next step and get baptized.

A- Admit
Does your child understand the concept of sin and that everyone has sin? Do they understand that everyone needs salvation? Admitting they have Sin and need Jesus is step one as it shows an understanding of repentance!
(Rom. 3:23), (Rom. 3:10- 18), (Rom. 6:23).

B- Believe
Believe in Jesus Christ as God’s Son and receive Jesus’ gift of forgiveness from sin. God loves each of us. God offers us salvation. Although we have done nothing to deserve His love, He wants to have a relationship with us! Believing is step two as it shows and understanding of Grace - “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16).

C- Confess
Confess your faith in Jesus Christ as Savior to both Him and to others is step three, it shows a clear understanding of both repentance and grace and that Christ is the answer! “If you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved” (Rom. 10:9-10)