When you are ready commit your life to Jesus Christ, baptism is the next step. Baptism expresses your faith and symbolizes your life change.
If you would like to talk with someone about baptism or your relationship with Christ, please contact the church by email or at 609-608-5336.
Baptism Is . . .
Immersion in water. (Acts 8:26-40)
Making a break from sin and beginning anew. (Acts 22:16)
An obedient response to the good news. (Acts 2:35-38)
An act that initiates one into fellowship. (Acts 2:36-41)
Picture of Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection. (Romans 6:1-6)
Baptism Is Not . . .
A guarantee of heaven; without faith or repentance, baptism is just getting wet. (Ephesians 2:8-9)
Proof that you’ve changed your life; actions are the “proof” God expects of us. (Galatians 5:16-26)
Why Baptism . . .
Because Christ commanded it. (Matthew 28:18-20)
To express a clean conscience before God. (1 Peter 3:21)
Who Should Be Baptized . . .
Those who hear the gospel. (Romans 10:17)
Those who Believe in Jesus Christ as Savior. (Mark 16:16)
Those who Repent of personal sins. (Acts 2:38-39)
Those who Confess Jesus Christ as Lord. (Romans 10:9-10)
Are you ready to learn more about making Jesus Christ? ICAM offers “Choosing Christ,” a discussion-based, six-to-eight-week class for those who are contemplating giving their life to Christ and those who want to learn how to lead others to Jesus.
Choosing Christ helps us experience why and how we should trust Christ with our lives. Church attendance, keeping the Commandments, taking communion or good living—none of this will lead us to Heaven. Salvation comes only through our trust in a person—Jesus Christ.
Choosing Christ will give you the opportunity to explore what Scripture says about living and leading people into a growing relationship with Christ. As the gospel of John says about the Bible: “But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name” (20:31).
If you are interested in attending this class, email: Delroy Barnes at icam@icamchurch.org
ICAM Baptism
Sin
Sin is the transgression of the law, or commandments of God (I John 3:4). The guilt of sin has fallen upon all humanity from Adam until now (Romans 3:23). The wage of sin is eternal death (Romans 6:23; Revelation 20:14) to all those who refuse to accept salvation as set forth in the Word of God.
Salvation
Salvation consists of deliverance from all sin and unrighteousness through the blood of Jesus Christ. The New Testament experience of salvation consists of repentance from sin, water baptism in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and the baptism of the Holy Ghost, after which the Christian is to live a godly life (Acts 2:36-41).
Water Baptism
Water baptism is an essential part of New Testament salvation and not merely a symbolic ritual. It is part of entering into the kingdom of God (God's church, the bride of Christ), and therefore, it is not merely a part of local church membership. (See John 3:5; Galatians 3:27).
Mode of Baptism
Water baptism is to be administered only by immersion. Paul said, "We are buried with him [Jesus Christ] by baptism (Romans 6:4; see Colossians 2:12), Jesus came up "out of the water" (Mark 1:10), and Philip and the eunuch went down "into the water" and came up "out of the water" (Acts 8:38-39).Jesus' death, burial, and resurrection are applied to our lives when we experience New Testament salvation: "Repent [death to sin], and be baptized [burial] every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost [resurrection]." (See Acts 2:38; Romans 6:1-7; 8:2). Sprinkling, pouring, or infant baptism of any kind cannot be substantiated by the Word of God, but are only human traditions.
Formula For Baptism
Formula for Baptism The name in which baptism is administered is vitally important, and this name is Jesus. Jesus' last command to His disciples was, "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost" (Matthew 28:19). We should notice that He said name (singular) not names. As previously explained, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost are not names of separate persons, but titles of positions held by God. An angelic announcement revealed God's saving name in the New Testament: "She shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins" (Matthew 1:21).The apostles understood that Jesus was the name to use at baptism, and from the day that the church of God was established (the Day of Pentecost) until the end of their ministry, they baptized all nations (Jews--Acts 8:16; Gentiles--Acts 19:5) in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. In fact, Jesus is the only name given for our salvation. "Neither is their salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved" (Acts 4:12).
Baptism of the Holy Ghost
The baptism of the Holy Ghost is the birth of the Spirit (John 3:5). This spiritual baptism is necessary to put someone into the kingdom of God (God's church, the bride of Christ) and is evidenced by speaking in other tongues (other languages) as the Spirit of God give utterance. It was prophesied by Joel (Joel 2:28-29) and Isaiah (Isaiah 28:11), foretold by John the Baptist (Matthew 3:11), purchased by the blood of Jesus, and promised by Him to His disciples (John 14:26; 15:16). The Holy Ghost was first poured out on the Day of Pentecost upon the Jews (Acts 2:1-4), then upon the Samaritans (Acts 8:17), and later upon the Gentiles (Acts 10:44-46; 19:6). "The promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call" (Acts 2:39).