Water baptism
Take me to the water
If you are considering baptism, you are welcome here. It is a public step of faith, it is taken in the company of the church family, and it is one of the happiest things that happens at Canaan.
“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
A public step of faith
Baptism is a beginning, not a finish line
At Canaan, baptism is what a believer does after they have put their trust in Jesus Christ. It is not a graduation and not a reward — it is a plain, joyful, public declaration that you belong to Him, made in front of the people who will walk with you from here.
Some folks have been in church their whole lives and simply never took this step. Others come to faith later, after years away. Some are young. Some are grandparents. All of them are welcome, and none of them are asked to have everything figured out first.
If the Lord is stirring something in you about this, that is worth paying attention to. Come and talk with the pastor — no pressure, no obligation, just a conversation with someone who will be glad you asked.
The word on the banner
“Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized 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.”
Acts 2:38
How it happens
Three simple steps
There is nothing complicated about this. Here is the whole of it, from the first conversation to the water.
Come and talk with the pastor
Baptism begins with a conversation, not a form. Speak with Pastor Ruth after a Sunday service, or call the church and arrange a time to sit down with him.
Confess your faith in Christ
The pastor will talk with you about what you believe — that Jesus is the Son of God, that He died for your sins and rose again, and that you are trusting Him as your Lord and Savior.
Be baptized in the name of the Lord
You are baptized by immersion, just as the Scriptures describe, as a public picture of the death, burial and resurrection of Christ and of your new life in Him.
Ready to take the step?
Tell the church you would like to be baptized and someone will be in touch with you. Or simply call — the pastor would be glad to talk it through with you first.
Questions
Things people ask about baptism
If your question is not here, call the church and ask it plainly. Nobody will think it is a silly one.
What is baptism, in plain words?
Baptism is a public step of faith. Going down into the water and coming up again pictures what Christ has done — His death, His burial and His resurrection — and it pictures the new life He gives. It does not save you; it shows what the Lord has already done in you.
Who should be baptized?
Anyone who has trusted in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. At Canaan we baptize believers — people old enough to confess their own faith. There is no age you have to reach and no background you have to come from.
Do I need to be baptized to be saved?
No. Salvation is by grace through faith in Christ alone. Baptism is the first act of obedience that follows, and it is a joy rather than a requirement to earn anything from God.
What should I bring, and what do I wear?
Bring a change of clothes and a towel, and come as you are otherwise. Everything else is taken care of, and someone will be there to walk you through the whole thing so nothing feels uncertain.
What if I was baptized before, years ago?
If you were baptized as a believer, you do not need to be baptized again. If you are not sure, or if it happened before you came to faith, talk with the pastor — he will help you think it through honestly and kindly.
Can my family be there?
Please invite them. Baptism is a public step and a joyful one, and the church family will be standing with you for it. Bring whoever you would like to have beside them.
The schedule
When baptisms are held at Canaan
The church sets baptism dates around the life of the congregation, so the surest way to know is to ask.
The church will add this here
Baptism dates and the person to contact about arranging one are being confirmed and will be written up here. Until then, call the church or send a message through the contact page and we will tell you when the next opportunity is.
Thinking about joining the church as well as being baptized? The about page lays out what we believe, and the ministries page shows where you can serve once you are here.
Next gathering
Sunday School · Sunday 10:00 AM
- Sunday SchoolSunday10:00 AM
- Sunday WorshipSunday11:00 AM
- Sunday LivestreamSunday· Live12:00 PM
- Bible StudyWednesday5:00 PM
Sunday worship streams live at 12:00 PM on YouTube and Facebook.
“Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.”
Romans 6:4
The water is waiting, and so are we
If you have been thinking about this for a while, let today be the day you ask. Call the church, or send a note and say you would like to be baptized.