baptism at second church

Embracing a New Beginning


At Second Church of Christ, baptism is a sacred and significant step in one's spiritual journey. It symbolizes the washing away of the old self and the birth of a new, spiritually reborn individual.


Why We Believe in Baptism

  1. A Testament of Faith: Baptism is an outward expression of an inward faith. It is a public declaration of one's belief in Jesus Christ and commitment to follow His teachings.

  2. Following Jesus’ Example: Jesus Himself was baptized, setting an example for all His followers. We believe in emulating His actions as a way of living a life that honors Him.

  3. A Scriptural Command: Baptism is instructed in the Bible. It’s a step of obedience to the commands of Christ and a vital part of the Christian faith as stated in Matthew 28:19-20.

new year's eve service

& baptism event

On Sunday, December 31, Second will have four 50-minute services listed below. 


Main Auditorium

9:00 and 10:45 a.m. 


Next Gen

9:00 and 10:45 a.m. 


At 10:00 a.m. we will have a Baptism event in Main Auditorium for anyone who would like to be baptized that day along with a fellowship time in The Commons. You can sign up by tapping the link below.


Sign Up

baptism q & a


WHY SHOULD I BE BAPTIZED?


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 NIV

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 NIV

3. IT DEMONSTRATES I AM A BELIEVER.
“We know that we have come to know Him if we obey His commands.” 1 John 2:3 NIV






WHAT IS THE MEANING OF BAPTISM?


WATER BAPTISM ILLUSTRATES CHRIST’S DEATH, BURIAL, AND RESURRECTION.

“For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that He was buried, that He was raised on the third day…” 1 Corinthians 15:3-4 NIV

“Having been buried with Him in baptism and raised with Him through your faith in the power of God, who raised Him from the dead.” Colossians 2:12 NIV






WHY SHOULD I BE BAPTIZED BY IMMERSION?


1. BECAUSE JESUS WAS BAPTIZED THAT WAY.
“As soon as Jesus was baptized, He went up out of the water.” Matthew 3:16a NIV

“Just as Jesus was coming up out of the water…” Mark 1:10 NIV

2. EVERY BAPTISM IN THE BIBLE WAS BY IMMERSION.
For example: “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 NIV

3. THE WORD BAPTIZE MEANS “TO DIP OR IMMERSE.”

4. IT BEST SYMBOLIZED A 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 through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.” Romans 6:3-4 NIV






WHO SHOULD BE BAPTIZED?


BAPTISM IS AN IMPORTANT STEP OF OBEDIENCE THAT SHOWS OTHERS THAT SOMEONE HAS PERSONALLY TRUSTED JESUS FOR THEIR SALVATION. Every person who believes in Jesus should be baptized. Having decided to trust Jesus alone for their salvation, they follow Him in baptism as a symbol of their new life in Him.

"Those who accepted His message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.” Acts 2:41 NIV

“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…” Matthew 28:19 NIV






WHAT ABOUT CHILDREN?


ALL INSTANCES OF BAPTISM FOLLOW AN INDIVIDUAL’S DECISION TO TRUST JESUS ALONE FOR THEIR SALVATION. Parents, we’re so excited that you’re considering baptism for your child! Every child can have a personal relationship with Jesus, and, at ElevateKIDS, we encourage each child to make a decision to follow Him. Our children are encouraged not just to learn about Jesus, but to learn from Him by walking with Him every day. We advise parents to wait until their child is asking to be water baptized. This is usually a good indication that they’re ready to be baptized, because this will be a huge spiritual milestone in their life. While younger children can have a relationship with Jesus, they won’t necessarily remember or understand the significance of the event. We encourage parents to wait for baptism until they are 10 years or older. When a child makes a decision for Christ, we gladly baptize them as a symbol of their faith in Christ.

“But when they believed Philip as he proclaimed the good news of the Kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.” Acts 8:12 NIV






WHAT ABOUT INFANT BAPTISM?


IN THE BIBLE WE FIND 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 to baptize them. Baptism is a public profession of salvation, (as the Bible teaches), and only people who have intentionally received salvation should experience baptism.

If you have not experienced adult 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.






WHEN SHOULD I BE BAPTIZED?


AS SOON AS YOU HAVE BELIEVED IN CHRIST FOR SALVATION. 
“But when they believed Philip as he proclaimed the good news of the Kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.” Acts 8:12 NIV






SHOULD I BE BAPTIZED IMMEDIATELY AFTER ACCEPTING CHRIST?


The Bible teaches that baptism should follow your decision to become a believer. THERE IS NO REASON TO DELAY. If you wait until you are “good” enough, you will never feel ready for baptism. Since baptism is not a part of your salvation but a symbol of it, it is okay to wait until the next scheduled baptism.






CAN I START SERVING BEFORE I GET BAPTIZED?


If you have not yet been baptized by immersion after salvation, baptism is your next step. HOWEVER, YOU DO NOT HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL YOU ARE BAPTIZED TO BEGIN SERVING. We want you to schedule your baptism, but we also want you to get plugged in and begin to serve.






CAN I BE BAPTIZED IF I HAVE BEEN BAPTIZED BEFORE?


IF YOU HAVE NOT BEEN BAPTIZED BY IMMERSION SINCE ASKING JESUS INTO YOUR LIFE, YOUR NEXT STEP IS BAPTISM.
If you have been baptized since asking Jesus into your life, there is no need to be baptized again.