Services will be held online-only until further notice.

BAPTISM

Baptism services are scheduled for March 2, May 18, September 7, and November 16, and we want you to have the opportunity to be baptized.  

Adults desiring baptism should attend the Growth Pathway Journey. Click here to find out more and to register.

Children and teens may be baptized after they have completed a Baptism Class and have been approved by Pastor Brandon. Children and Teen Baptism Classes will be held on February 16, April 27, August 24 and November 2, at 12:10 PM in Room 301. Children and teens wishing to be baptized must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Please click on the date to register for the child/teen baptism class.

If you or your child have questions about baptism, please email Pastor Brandon.

Instructions for Your Baptism

We are so happy that you desire to follow the Lord’s example in baptism. There will probably be others baptized with you. There have been many people like you that have been baptized by our pastors in the church baptistry.
  • The church will provide you with a dark t-shirt to wear during your baptism (you get to keep the shirt). 
  • In addition to the provided shirt, you will need to wear dark bottoms during your baptism (dark jeans, shorts, board shorts, etc.).  No light colored clothing allowed in the baptism pool.
  • Bring a towel, a change of dry clothes, and hair dryer (if desired).  You will be able to change clothes and get ready in the designated changing areas. 
  • All baptisms will be held at the church. There is plenty of room in the Worship Service for your friends and relatives to celebrate your baptism. We encourage you to invite them to watch you be baptized.
  • Baptisms are generally scheduled on Sunday mornings during the 11am worship service near the beginning of the service. Please arrive  by 10:30am. Meet at the outside office door. If you are outside looking at the main lobby doors, the office is at the left end of the building with the "Office" sign above it. Ring the bell on the doorframe if no one is there immediately to let you in.
  • The Pastor will be baptizing one person at a time. If a family or several family members are being baptized on the same day, they can enter the baptistry together for a picture.
  • Kindergarten - 12th graders who want to be baptized must take a Baptism Class which covers salvation and baptism.  A parent or guardian must also attend that class with their child.
  • Don’t be surprised when people clap during your baptism. It is a happy experience for every Christian when someone publicly identifies himself as a believer by being baptized.  At Laurel Ridge, we really love to celebrate with those who are being baptized!

Frequently Asked Questions about Baptism

Why be Baptized? (Water Baptism)
1. Because you want to follow Christ’s example.“At that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John.” Mark 1:9

2. Because Christ Commanded it.
Jesus said, “Go then, to all people everywhere and make them my disciples, baptize them in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, and then teach them to obey everything I have commanded you.” Matthew 28:19-20

3. Because it shows you are a Believer.
“...many of the Corinthians who heard him believed and were baptized.” Acts 18:8

4. Because obeying Christ’s command shows you know Him.
“We know that we have come to know Him, if we obey His commands.” 1 John 2:3

What is the meaning of Baptism?
1. It is a symbolic picture of Christ’s burial and resurrection.
“Christ died for our sins...He was buried...and He rose again.” 1 Corinthians 15:3-4
“For when you were baptized, you were buried with Christ, and in baptism you were also raised with Christ dead.” Colossians 2:12

2. It is a symbol of your new life as a Christian.
“By our baptism then we were buried with Him and shared His death, in order that just as Christ was raised from the dead also we might live a new life.” Romans 6:4

How are we to be baptized?
1. As a step of obedience, we want to be baptized like Jesus was baptized - by being immersed in water.
“As soon as Jesus was baptized, He went up out of the water.” Matthew 3:16

2. Every Baptism in the Bible was by immersion under water.
“...then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and Philip baptized him. When they came up out of the water…” Acts 8:38-39

3. The word Baptize literally means "to dip under water" -- "to be immersed."

4. It is the best way to picture a burial and resurrection.

Who should be baptized?
1. Every Person who has made the decision to believe in Christ should be baptized.
“Those who believed and accepted His message were baptized.” Acts 2:41

Baptism does not make you a believer; it shows that you already are one. Baptism does not save you, only your faith in Christ does that. Baptism is like a wedding ring - it’s the outward symbol of the commitment you made in your heart.

When are we to be baptized?
As soon as you have believed! You shouldn’t delay!
“Those who believed...were baptized...that day!” Acts 2:41

There is no reason to delay. As soon as a person decides to believe in Christ, he can and should be baptized. The one requirement for baptism is belief in Christ! We do not baptize children until they are old enough to understand and believe.

What about being baptized twice?
Our church recommends that you be baptized again if you have not been baptized by immersion since you became a believer. It doesn’t devalue a prior experience but simply reflects your desire to baptize in the same way Jesus was baptized.

Will I have to say anything?
At the beginning of the Baptism Service, the Pastor will briefly explain the meaning of baptism.  You will wait at the edge of the water for your turn to be baptized.  The Pastor will introduce you, and he will ask you if you have accepted Jesus as your personal Savior.  At that point, you can simply say "yes," or "yes, I have."  Then, the Pastor will briefly lower you just under the water and raise you back up.  After your baptism, you will leave the water, dry off, and watch the others who are also being baptized on the same day as you.