Baptism is an outward expression of the life change that has already taken place through your personal faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Baptism is a public acknowledgment to the world that you have made the decision to follow Jesus, and allows family and friends to celebrate this decision with you (Acts 16:31-34).

Baptism does not save you. The New Testament teaches that salvation is based on personal faith in Jesus Christ apart from any other action. Baptism is a symbol of the salvation that has already taken place in your life! Salvation precedes baptism and never depends upon it (Ephesians 2:8-9).

Because Jesus instructed us to be baptized, baptism is an act of obedience and demonstrates submission to God. Jesus himself was baptized, giving it special significance — Jesus loved us enough to identify with us! (Matthew 28:19-20). Every person who has received Jesus Christ as his or her personal Savior should be baptized (Acts 2:36-41). Baptism was given expressly and exclusively to those who believe in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. It is an expression of one’s faith in Jesus Christ and what he did in dying on the Cross for our sin and being resurrected to give us new life!

Obedience to Jesus shows we believe and follow Him. (1 John 2:3). Because Jesus went public about His love for us, we can go public about our love for Him. Being baptized shows that we turn away from a life of sin and toward Jesus, the only one who can change us. (Acts 2:38-41)

You will never be good enough to be baptized! You are saved by your faith in Jesus because of God’s grace - it is an undeserved gift. (Ephesians 2:8-9) The only qualification for baptism is to believe and accept that Jesus Christ is the Son of God—that He died for your sins and was resurrected, and to trust Jesus with your life, giving Him control (Acts 2:41). Anyone who commits his or her life to following Jesus is ready to be baptized (Acts 8:12).

Jesus was baptized by being immersed in the water and rising out of it (Matthew 3:16, Mark 1:10). When we are immersed in the water, it is a picture that our sin is dead and buried by Christ’s death (Romans 6:3-5). This symbolizes you are no longer living for yourself but for God. The Biblical word translated “baptize” is “baptizo” and literally means to immerse!

Being raised from the water is a symbol of the resurrected Christ and pictures your new life in Christ! (1 Corinthians 15:3-4)

Baptism is for children who can express their own decision (Romans 10:9) to trust and follow Jesus and understands the meaning of baptism (Acts 10:47-48). We recommend parents and children go to our Start Here Class if your child is showing interest in salvation and baptism. As parents, we have the biggest influence on what our children understand about Jesus, but they are the ones to decide if they will commit their lives to Him.

Crestview recommends that you be baptized if you have not been baptized by immersion AFTER accepting Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. Therefore, if you were baptized as a baby or before you truly understood the meaning of baptism, we encourage you to be baptized again as a reflection of your own desire and commitment to Jesus.

Once you’ve taken the step, baptism does not wear off. You don’t need to be baptized again if you have been baptized after accepting Jesus Christ but have struggled and are now renewing your commitment. If you are seeking to rededicate your life to God the best action is to get connected in a group and focus on growing your relationship with God.

Anyone you want, provided that person is a Christ-follower who has already been baptized by immersion (whether that’s a family member, a friend, a member from your group, or a Crestview staff member).

We usually have baptisms every two or three months at Crestview.

Wear shorts and bring a change of clothes. We will provide you with a shirt to wear when you are baptized.

You officially become a member when you are baptized at Crestview!