Declaring Our Faith

In April of 2023, a group from our church visited the Holy Land. This faith development trip truly helped the Bible come to life. To say that it was transformative is an understatement. So much of the Bible can come to life by simply viewing the geography of the Land and walking where Jesus walked. In an effort to further identify with Jesus, many of us chose to be baptized in the Jordan River.

Let me be clear: there is no need to be baptized twice.  Declaring our faith by baptism is a step of obedience that needs to be done once.  That means it was not wrong for anyone not to decide to be baptized in the same river Jesus was. On the flip side, given that baptism is a step of identification, it isn’t wrong to decide to be baptized in the river. I did it personally, and it was truly a special experience.  I only add that note in case you go with us on our next Holy Land trip, whenever that will be, and desire to be baptized in the Jordan River.

Most importantly, we must evaluate what baptism means and why it matters.  Reading Mark 1:9-11, we see that Jesus was baptized to inaugurate His ministry and to identify with sinners.  In turn, we are to be baptized to identify with Him. We are baptized to follow His example and to fulfill His command. Truly, it is a step of obedience.  We identify ourselves with His death, burial, and resurrection as we commemorate our journey with Him, having been brought from death to life.

Have you been baptized? Would you consider taking this critical step of obedience today? Contact the church office for more information.