Baptism
THE MEANING OF BAPTISM
Baptism is a picture of the gospel.
When someone is baptized, they are identifying with Jesus in His death, burial, and resurrection. Going under the water represents dying to your old life. Coming out of the water represents being raised to new life in Christ.
It doesn’t save you—but it shows that you have been saved.
Baptism is a public declaration:
“My life belongs to Jesus.”
WHY SHOULD I BE BAPTIZED?
Because Jesus commanded it.
After His resurrection, Jesus told His followers to go and make disciples, baptizing them (Matthew 28:19). Baptism is one of the first steps of obedience for anyone who has put their faith in Him.
- Declare your faith publicly
- Celebrate what God has done in your life
- Take a step forward in your walk with Christ
If you belong to Jesus, baptism isn’t optional—it’s an invitation to obey and follow Him fully.
WHO SHOULD BE BAPTIZED?
Anyone who has personally placed their faith in Jesus Christ.
Baptism is for those who have made a conscious decision to follow Him. It’s not something done for you—it’s something you choose as a response to what God has done in your life.
That’s why we practice believer’s baptism.
If you’re following Jesus, baptism is your next step.
BAPTIZED AS AN INFANT?
Jesus loves children deeply. In Scripture, we see parents bringing their children to Him, and He welcomes them, holds them, prays for them, and blesses them. He even tells His disciples that welcoming a child is like welcoming Him (Matthew 18:5), and He rebukes those who try to keep children away.
But while Jesus clearly values and blesses children, the Bible never shows infants being baptized, nor does it instruct parents to baptize their children.
Baptism is meant to be a response to salvation—a personal, conscious decision to follow Jesus. It is an outward expression of an inward faith. Because of that, the pattern we see in Scripture is that those who are baptized are those who have personally placed their trust in Christ.
So if you were baptized as an infant but have since made a personal decision to follow Jesus, we would encourage you to take the step of being baptized as a believer.
WHAT ABOUT CHILD DEDICATION?
At Calvary Chapel Eastside, we practice child dedication.
This is a special time where we pray over children and ask for God’s blessing on their lives. It is also a moment where parents publicly commit to raising their child in a way that points them to Jesus—teaching them His Word and modeling a life of faith.
Child dedication is meaningful and important, but it is not the same as baptism. Baptism is a step each person takes for themselves when they choose to follow Christ.