Baptism is an outward symbol of an inward change. It signifies our identification with Christ and his saving work done on our behalf on the cross. It’s really a great picture. As we are immersed and come out of the water, we symbolize Christ’s death, burial and resurrection. With this act, modeled by Christ (John 1.29-34), we give testimony to the fact that the old has passed away for us, and that he is making all things new. It is a bold statement of our desire to be Christ followers. Furthermore, Jesus’ final words in Matthew 28, often referred to as the Great Commission, include the admonition that we should be drawing people to Christ and “baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.”
If you are a believer in Christ, and have never been baptized, we encourage you to consider it. That’s why on a regular basis we offer the opportunity for those who have chosen Christ to follow him in baptism. We do this out in our town square at Irving Bible Church where that little fountain with the bridge over it converts to a baptismal. In this way we can celebrate the act of identifying with Christ in his death and resurrection, and our new life in him.
Our next baptism will be on October 17th immediately following the 10:45 worship service. There is a mandatory class for those who wish to be baptized. The children and adult classes are on Sunday, October 3rd and a makeup class will be offered on Wed. Oct. 6th . See the September Chatter for the schedule of baptism classes. Online registration begins on September 15th. Contact Donna O’Reilly with questions.