Baptism

We are so excited that you’re interested in learning more about baptism.

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BENEATH THE WATER

Each week, we make it available to celebrate those who have made the decision to declare Jesus as Lord and Savior by being baptized. We believe that baptism serves as a symbol of the burial of the old self and the resurrection of your soul to walk in life with Christ, and we love celebrating that!

We are so excited that you’re interested in learning more about baptism. Baptism is a demonstration of allegiance to Jesus. It is the way he asks us to respond to His grace as soon as we trust Him as Savior and King. The following scriptures explain the different ways that baptism beautifully illustrates what it means to walk in fullness of life with Christ. The old has gone, the new has come!

NEW LIFE IN CHRIST

“We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.” Romans 6:4 ESV

FAITH IN CHRIST

“So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls.” Acts 2:41 ESV

IDENTITY IN CHRIST

 For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.” Galatians 3:27 NASB

DISCIPLE OF CHRIST

“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,” Matthew 28:19 ESV

Frequently Asked Questions

The first century Christians always baptized people as soon as they understood and believed the message of salvation by faith in Christ alone. Everyone who is willing to turn their old life over to Christ and confess their faith in Him should be baptized (Matthew 28:19; Acts 2:38-39).

The word for “baptism” in the New Testament is the Greek word baptizo, which means “to immerse in water.” The New Testament says baptism represents the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ (Romans 6:1-5). Baptism serves as a symbol of the burial of the old self and the resurrection of the believer’s soul to walk in life with Christ. Therefore, at Utah Valley Church, we baptize people by immersing them in water. If you have been sprinkled, we would love to talk to you about why immersion is important.

A person should be baptized at the time he or she trusts in Christ alone for salvation. The Bible teaches we are saved by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8). In the New Testament church, a person’s baptism was always the first expression of faith, not separate from it. Therefore, baptism was not only a symbol or a memorial of faith, but was intended to be a starting point of transformation, marking the place and time a person made a commitment to Christ (Romans 6:1-8). At Utah Valley Church, we like to follow the original pattern and practice of baptism. Therefore, we encourage a person to be baptized at the point that he or she is ready to make a commitment to Christ.

Are any of the following statement true about you?

  • You lack confidence in your initial baptism experience because you don’t remember it.
  • You were baptized as a requirement of a former religion.
  • You were coerced to get baptized.
  • You did not understand the biblical gospel at the time you were baptized.
  • You were not trusting in Christ alone for salvation at the time.

You should likely consider being baptized again if any of those statements are true for you.

If you were baptized as a faith response to the free gift of eternal life offered through Christ alone, then being baptized again is not necessary.

The act of baptism cannot save an individual. We are saved only through accepting Christ’s sacrifice on the cross. Baptism demonstrates the believer’s acceptance of Christ, His grace, forgiveness, and eternal life.

A person should be baptized to follow the example of Christ (Matthew 3:13-17), to obey Christ’s command (Matthew 28:18), to illustrate the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38; 22:16), to embrace the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38), to express trust in Christ (Acts 8:12-13), and to testify to God’s work in his or her life (Romans 6:1-8; Galatians 3:27).

You can come in your normal clothes and we’ll provide a place to change. You can bring almost anything to be baptized in, but shirts and shorts that are non revealing when wet work best. You may bring your own towel as well but we will provide towels for you too!

Yes! Invite your friends and family, as this is an awesome moment for them to witness the difference that Jesus has made in your life.

We invite you to have the person who led you to Christ or someone who encouraged you along the way to baptize you. Or, if you prefer, one of our pastors would be happy to baptize you.

There isn’t a specific age retirement for baptism. However, we only encourage baptism for children who are at a place in their own personal faith journey to fully understand this commitment.

 If you feel like a child is ready for baptism, one of our Children’s Ministry leaders would love to talk with you and your child about their next step as they follow Jesus.

Baptism Sign Up