This summer had two baptisms at Lake Whistle-pig.

On July 25: Ben, Deanna, Kathleen & Randy Chilton, 
Johnathan & Michael Farrington, Darvin Hansmann, Kevin Harvey, Kristie Holton, 
Nicholas James, John LaPorte, Michael McDevitt, Grace & Isaac Sprague, Garrett Timme, 
Toni Washington-Sweed, Michael Washington-Vigil, Tami Jo White

On August 29: Frances Aguilar, Savannah Rose Babish, Christopher Bell, Dustin & Elainna Coleman, Caleb & Jacob Dudley, Sophie Fernandez, Alexander Ford, Brittany Gomez, Adalia Haynes; Aliya, Jeremiah, Rafael Jr. & Rafael Hernandez; Patrick Housand, Clinton Hugg, Frandon & Joshua Humphrys, Jenna Klein, Graham & Isaiah Droll; Dylan, Blake  Joel Maupin; James Mazzuca; Brian, Melissa & Megan (Stiving) Menges; Jacqueline Meyer, Doris Pavlick, Jelena Price, Delanie & Rachael Shaw, Skyler Spaur, Daniel Venz, Jason Westman, Judith Wilson, Michele Zediker

The most important part of baptism is NOT being immersed under the water. The most important aspect of baptism is having invited Jesus into your heart as your friend, your Lord, and your Savior. We believe that inviting Jesus into your heart involves:

1. Recognizing that God loves you. John 3:16
2. Admitting that sin exists in your life. Romans 3:23 , Romans 6:23 , John 14:6
3. Repenting of past sins. Luke 13:3 , Acts 2:38
4. Accepting Jesus as Lord. Romans 10:9 and Accepting Jesus as Savior. John 3:17 , Luke 19:10
5. Celebrating the great news that as a member of God’s family God wants you to experience His blessings (Galatians 5:22-23 , Romans 8:1 , Romans 2 , Romans 28 ; and wants you to have a special, wonderful, and eternal relationship with Him – James 1:2-4

     What?
Baptism is a physical demonstration of the spiritual reality of making Jesus Lord of your life. When a person is immersed in water, they are identifying with Christ in His death, burial and resurrection. Baptism is the symbol of …new life …washing away sins …identification with Jesus Jesus told his disciples to baptize everyone who comes into faith in Him, Matthew 28:19 – “Go therefore make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”

     Why?
Baptism is NOT salvation. It is identification with the Savior. A person is not saved by baptism; they are saved by faith in Christ. Even though we are not saved by baptism, we are still commanded in scripture to be baptized. Acts 2:38 “…Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ…” Mark 16:16 “Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved…” Baptism is an act of obedience and submission to Jesus Christ, the Lord of your life.

     When?
A person should be baptized after they have been born again through repentance and faith in Christ trusting Him completely in His death, burial and resurrection for salvation. Rarely does this happen before six years of age and can happen at any point in life from then on. All Christians should be baptized. Baptisms are held at our South Campus after the 11:00 service on the third Sunday of each month after an initial meeting with one of our pastors. Also, typically in August, we hold a lake baptism.

     How?
At Crossroads we practice full immersion baptism. The word “baptism” literally means “the process of submersion.” Immersion symbolizes the death burial and resurrection of Christ literally and in a believer’s life spiritually.

     What about Baby/Child Baptism?
At Crossroads Church we dedicate babies to the Lord based on the commitment of parents to raise their child in a Christian home and manner. When a person can comprehend faith in Christ, forgiveness of sin and symbolism, then they can be baptized, not before. If you’ve been baptized as an infant, great! However, Biblical Baptism is the public immersion of a believer.

     Interested?
Contact one of our pastors or the church office (303.452.5332) to schedule a brief interview in preparation for Baptism.