Baptism brochure

OK...

maybe your parents had you baptized as a baby, and that’s good enough—right?

Or maybe you want to pray about it first, or you don’t want to mess your hair up, or you just don’t want to stand there in front of a whole bunch of people and get dunked in the water.

Or maybe this whole baptism thing just doesn’t make any sense. Maybe, for you, getting baptized is kind of weird, or archaic—or pointless.

But it’s not. It’s powerful. Ask anybody who’s done it. Like a handshake or a kiss, baptism is a powerful act that says more than words could ever say. It is a pivotal moment in the life of a follower of Jesus.

Identification with Jesus in baptism is simple. It’s a move that says, “I belong to You, Jesus. My sins are washed away and I’m going to take this step you told me to take, whether I’ve been a Christian for two days or 20 years.”

baptism classes Before you’re baptized, you must come to a short class. This will help you come to a full understanding of what you’re doing and why you’re doing it. We’ll also address the practical details—everything from what you should wear to who you might want to invite. It’s an informal class, so there’s plenty of room for all your questions.

what are you

waiting for?

Bristow Campus: December 10 at 7:45 pm in the Board Room December 13 at 7:45 pm in Room 107 December 14 at 9:15 am in Room 107 December 14 at 11:00 am in Room 107 Stafford Campus: Any Sunday right after services.

Just see Pastor Doug or Kaleb.

baptisms Bristow Campus: Saturday, December 20 at 6:00 pm Sunday, December 21 at 9:00 am & 10:45 am Stafford Campus: Sunday, December 21, at 1:30 pm Staybridge Inn and Suites Pool 2996 Jefferson Davis Hwy, Stafford (Rte. 1 just north of Garrisonville Rd)

One church.

Multiple locations. chapelsprings.org Central Office | 11500 New Life Way | Bristow, VA 20136 | 703-368-2895

get

baptized.

Is baptism really that important?

Baptism is a powerful symbolic act.

It’s a one-time declaration of a lifetime commitment to walk with God. The word “baptism” comes from a Greek word which means “to dip, dye, or plunge.”

We go under the water to symbolize the end of our old lives and come up in celebration of new life in Christ. Jesus conquered death and sin by dying on the cross and rising again.

Our baptism symbolizes the fact that we have died to our old sinful nature and are resurrected into new life. In baptism, we publicly declare that we’ve decided to follow Jesus.

Who is baptism for?

It’s for everybody who accepts Jesus.

“Each one of you must turn from your sins and turn to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” Acts 2:38 NLT It’s for those who believe.

“Anyone who believes and is baptized will be saved. . . .” Mark 16:16 NLT It’s for anybody age 8 and older.

We insist on this minimum age because you have to be old enough to repent and believe, and old enough to comprehend the significance of baptism.

OK, you’re right.

I need to do this.

How does it work?

Baptism is a visual testimony of our spiritual birth. It is a pledge and promise to always live our lives for Jesus (Romans 6:4; 2 Corinthians 5:17; John 3:4-6).

Here at Chapel Springs, we celebrate baptisms in a public celebration, often during our worship services. Your church family witnesses and celebrates with you. We hold baptisms a few times a year.

Baptism shows we are followers of Jesus.

It symbolizes the salvation that you already have received (1 Peter 3:21; Matthew 28:19,20).

It shows that we have chosen to serve God, not self (Acts 2:38; Romans 6:3, 4,11-14).

It is a symbol that our sins have been washed away (Psalm 51:7; Romans 6:3,6).

Baptism confirms the fact that, because of Jesus, we are now dead to sin and alive to Christ (Romans 6:3-11).

What, exactly, does baptism do?

To be honest, that’s not really the right question. A wedding ring doesn’t make you married, and getting dunked under water doesn’t save you; it doesn’t make you a Christian. It’s a symbolic act—a potent gesture.

Baptism doesn’t save us; our faith saves us.

The Bible says, “. . . it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9).

Baptism comes after faith as a powerful public declaration.

Before you get baptized, you need to come to a short, required class so you can be sure you understand what you’re doing and why you’re doing it. Baptism class info can be found here: • The back of this brochure • chapelsprings.org/baptism • The church office: 703-368-2895

I still have a few questions.

Good! We want to give you answers.

Just contact Pastor Stephanie Nance. snance@chapelsprings.org or 703-368-2895 chapelsprings.org/baptism