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BAPTISM at The Vineyard



The Meaning of Baptism

Baptism is a picture of spiritual regeneration and union with Christ.

Baptism is first and foremost an outward and visible sign of an inward and spiritual reality of union and friendship with Christ. It is a sign and symbol of spiritual regeneration and reconciliation with Christ and incorporation into Christ, His body, and His cause. Going under the water pictures Christ’s life, death, burial, and resurrection. Your future is sealed with Christ and His kingdom.


Baptism is a picture of repentance and cleansing given through Christ.

The water is also a symbolic sign and seal of the washing away of your sin by the regenerating, cleansing power of the Holy Spirit. Baptism is a profound spiritual picture of passing through the waters of judgement safely, of dying and rising with Christ, and having your sins totally washed away, showing that you are now a friend of God. God calls us to repent and empowers us to change from the inside out by His grace.


Baptism is a sign of membership in Christ’s body, the worldwide Church.

It reflects our voluntary response to God’s sovereign redemptive work and demonstrates that God has given us the grace to believe. When a person makes a credible profession of faith, baptism serves to illustrate their entrance into the instrument of God’s kingdom on earth.


Baptism is a spiritual blessing that empowers us for service.

Through baptism, the Holy Spirit desires to fill and empower us afresh, manifesting the presence of the Kingdom. Those who truly belong to Christ are indwelled by the Spirit. And the Father is eager to reveal truth, give spiritual gifts and grace to His children through the Holy Spirit.

Experience New Life

Baptism is an important step in your walk with Jesus. If you would like to make this commitment at our next Baptism service, click the link below and we'll get you connected with more information. 


I WANT TO BE BAPTIZED

The Story of Baptism

“And so John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. The whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem went out to him. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River. John wore clothing made of camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. And this was his message: ‘After me comes the one more powerful than I, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.’ At that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. Just as Jesus was coming up out of the water, he saw heaven being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: ‘You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.’” 


Mark 1:4-11 NIV


Jesus was commissioned by the Father and the Holy Spirit for ministry at His baptism, and God extends His same blessings to us and empowers us to a life of humble service to others.

The Process of Baptism

The process of baptism is simple but profound. You will answer three ancient questions, variations of which have been asked of millions of people for nearly 2,000 years.


The first question gives you a chance to say “no” to the false belief that the universe is eternal or that it created itself and “yes” to the loving God who created everything (including you) out of nothing and who sustains and rules everything that exists.


The second question gives you an opportunity to publicly proclaim the reality that God, as Paul wrote, “has rescued [you] from the kingdom of darkness and brought [you] into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins” (Colossians 1:13-14). Your “yes” affirms, along with true believers everywhere, that although you were once alienated from God, now He has reconciled you through Christ’s sacrifice to be without blemish and free from accusation if you continue in your faith, established and firm, not moved from the hope held out in the gospel (Romans 5:10).


The third question is an opportunity to confess your heartfelt trust that you are saved by grace through faith in the likeness of Christ and the fruit of the Holy Spirit.


When you say “Yes!” or “I do!” to these questions, the person baptizing you will say something like, “Because of the testimony that Jesus is your Savior and Lord, and in obedience to the Lord’s command, I now baptize you in the name of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.”


Then you will be immersed under water and brought back up again. And don’t worry, they won’t hold you under for too long!