WATER Baptism
Go public with your faith
At New Hope, we believe baptism is an important next step for anyone who has decided to follow Jesus. It's a public expression of your faith—a way of saying, “I have chosen to follow Jesus, and I'm ready to live this new life with Him.”
Throughout the New Testament, we see people respond to their faith in Jesus through baptism. In Acts 2, those who believed were baptized, and in Acts 8, a man who heard the good news about Jesus saw water along the road and asked, “What can stand in the way of my being baptized?”
Baptism doesn't mean you have everything figured out. It means you've put your trust in Jesus and are choosing to follow Him. If you've made that decision, baptism is a meaningful way to take that next step and publicly celebrate what God is doing in your life.
Ready to take your next step? We'd love to celebrate with you.
Throughout the New Testament, we see people respond to their faith in Jesus through baptism. In Acts 2, those who believed were baptized, and in Acts 8, a man who heard the good news about Jesus saw water along the road and asked, “What can stand in the way of my being baptized?”
Baptism doesn't mean you have everything figured out. It means you've put your trust in Jesus and are choosing to follow Him. If you've made that decision, baptism is a meaningful way to take that next step and publicly celebrate what God is doing in your life.
Ready to take your next step? We'd love to celebrate with you.
FAQ
What is baptism?
Baptism is a public expression of your faith in Jesus. When someone chooses to follow Jesus, baptism is a way of publicly declaring that decision and identifying with Jesus' death, burial, and resurrection. At New Hope, we celebrate baptism as an important step in a person's journey of following Jesus.
Who should be baptized?
Baptism is for anyone who has made the decision to follow Jesus and has put their faith in Him. It's a personal decision to publicly identify with Christ and take the next step in your faith journey.
What does baptism symbolize?
Baptism symbolizes the new life we have through Jesus. Going under the water represents Jesus' death and burial, while coming back out of the water represents His resurrection and the new life we have in Him. It's a picture of leaving our old life behind and choosing to follow Jesus.
When should I get baptized?
If you've made the decision to follow Jesus, baptism is a meaningful next step. You don't need to have your faith completely figured out or have everything together—baptism is about declaring your faith in Jesus and choosing to follow Him. If you're ready to take that step, we'd love to celebrate it with you!
Is there an age requirement for baptism?
We generally recommend baptism for those 12 years and older, as we want each person to understand what baptism means and be able to make that decision for themselves. We also recognize that every child is different, and exceptions can be made for younger children who demonstrate spiritual maturity and an understanding of the significance of baptism. If you're unsure whether your child is ready, we'd be happy to talk with you.
How do we baptize people?
At New Hope, we practice full-immersion baptism. This means a person is completely immersed in water and then raised back up, following the biblical picture of identifying with Jesus' death, burial, and resurrection.
What is a Testimony?
Your testimony is simply the story of what God has done in your life. Before you're baptized, we invite you to share a little about your journey—where you were, how you came to know Jesus, and what He is doing in your life now. We'll record your testimony ahead of time and share it with the church before your baptism, giving your church family an opportunity to celebrate what God is doing in your life with you.
How do I sign up to be baptized?
Ready to take the next step? Fill out the baptism form below, and a member of our team will connect with you about the next steps and upcoming baptism opportunities.
See Baptism in Action
Not sure what to expect on baptism Sunday? Take a look at one of our previous baptism services to get a feel for what the experience is like. It's a celebration of what God is doing in people's lives, and we'd love for you to be part of it.
