Baptism
Baptism is an important step on your journey as you follow Jesus — it is an outward expression of your inward life with Christ.
The Bible describes baptism as a way to identify with Jesus in His own death, burial, and resurrection, which is why it's our standard practice to perform what has historically been called the believer’s baptism. This means that the baptism ceremony takes place after a believer has confessed and affirmed personal faith in Jesus Christ. When you accept Him as your personal Savior, your former way of life dies, and you begin a new life in Him. Baptism is a way to publicly identify yourself with Christ, as a follower who has been made alive through His saving grace.
Taking the plunge
Once you let us know you're ready, someone from our ministry team will reach out to you to begin the process and walk you through the next steps. We're so excited to hear about how Jesus has changed your life!
FAQs
Do I have to be a member of The Chapel in Green in order to be baptized here?
No! Baptism is for anyone who has accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, trusting in Him alone for salvation.
Do I have to tell my story in front of everyone?
That's our hope! We know this part of the process can be intimidating for some - talking in front of a camera or into a microphone can seem like a lot of pressure! We think it's important to tell your story because it's proof that our God is still doing miracles, and it's one of the most powerful tools that God has given us in order to help draw people back to Him. Your rescue story has the potential to change the hearts and the lives of whoever may hear it by pointing them to Jesus – whether you're sharing it publicly in our Worship Center or privately with your friends, family, and neighbors.
Telling our story is also a great way to remind ourselves that Jesus is the One who's done all the work, so if the idea of talking about yourself makes you nervous, just point the spotlight back on Him! He certainly deserves it, and bringing Him glory is ultimately what this whole process is all about.
If sharing your story still seems daunting in any way or if it's holding you back from wanting to be baptized, please don't hesitate to reach out! We'd love to meet up and walk you through what your next steps could look like.
Can my [parent / grandparent / youth leader] baptize me?
That’s an option! In most cases, you are welcome to invite another baptized adult to participate in your baptism, along with your pastor.
Can children be baptized?
The same guidelines apply for children as for adults. In order to be baptized as a public declaration of inward faith, children must have accepted Christ as their Savior, believing that He died for their sins and rose from the dead. Generally, most children who are baptized are at least 10 years old when they can speak confidently about their testimony.
Can infants be baptized?
We do not baptize infants because they cannot give their own testimony yet. However, we do hold Child Dedication Ceremonies every year, where we pray over new babies and young children, and parents can publicly declare their intentions to raise their children in a Christ-centered household.
I was baptized when I was younger. Do I need to do it again?
That depends on your personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Did you really, truly know Him when you were baptized the first time? Were you walking closely with Him? Did you have a living and active faith? If you can answer “yes” to all of those questions, then you don’t need to be baptized again — a genuine baptism has no expiration date!
But if you know in your heart that your first baptism wasn’t your choice, was little more than a ritual, or was performed with the wrong motives, then perhaps you can consider talking about your options with a pastor. Ask the Holy Spirit to search your heart and to give you wisdom.
