Jesus was Baptized.
Jesus told His Church to Baptize new followers in his name; therefore, we baptize in the
Name of Jesus.
The Apostle Peter said to the crowd listening to him, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”
The Holy Bible, Acts 2:38
A Redeemed People…who follow the Lord in Believer’s Baptism
BAPTISM is a religious practice in Christian churches where a new follower of Jesus Christ is immersed (fully dipped) in water in the name of Jesus using the Trinitarian Formula (“in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit”). This is the first act of obedience – ordained by Jesus Christ and practiced in the New Testament – required of all persons professing faith and obedience.
WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY ABOUT BAPTISM:
FIRST, JESUS WAS BAPTIZED – John the Baptist preached that all people should follow God with a baptism of repentance in anticipation of the coming of Christ (Matthew 3:11-12; Mark 1:9-11; Luke 3:21-22; John 1:31-34). Jesus was baptized by John at the beginning of His ministry as an act of righteousness (an action that pleases God).
SECOND, JESUS TOLD HIS PEOPLE TO BAPTIZE NEW BELIEVERS: Christian baptism was initiated and ordered by Jesus. He commissioned his followers with these words: “Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. (NLT, Matthew 28:19). And then he told them, “Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone, everywhere. Anyone who believes and is baptized will be saved. But anyone who refuses to believe will be condemned. (NLT, Mark 16:15-16).
THIRD, JESUS TOLD HIS FOLLOWERS TO BAPTIZE IN HIS NAME USING THESE WORDS: A person is baptized in the “Name of Jesus” AND “in the Name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit” (i.e., the Trinitarian formula). Baptism in Jesus’ name and baptism “in the Name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit” are inseparable as they fulfill the same purpose. We obey Jesus’ teachings in the Bible (Matthew 28:19; Acts 2:38, 8:16, 10:48, 19:5).
FOURTH, THE EARLY CHURCH BAPTIZED PEOPLE OF FAITH: Jesus’ Apostles and Followers baptized many people (John 4:1-2, Acts 2:38-41, 8:12-13, 16:14-15, 16:32-33, Romans 6:3-4, Galatians 3:26-29), and it has been universally practiced since the beginnings of the Christian Church.
FIFTH, BAPTISM IS A SIGN OF FAITH AND FELLOWSHIP: Baptism is a sign of a believer’s intimate friendship with Jesus, participation in Jesus’ death and resurrection, of a believer’s being engrafted into Jesus Christ’s body on earth – the church (Rom. 6:3–5; Col. 2:12; Gal. 3:27). Baptism is a sign of a believer’s remission of sins (cancellation of crimes against God) (Mark 1:4; Acts 22:16), and baptism is a sign of a believer’s commitment to God, through Jesus Christ, to live and walk in newness of life (Rom. 6:4).
SIXTH, BAPTISM IS OPEN TO ALL PERSON WHO BELIEVES: The early church and Apostles were led by the Holy Spirit to open baptism to all people, Jews and Gentiles – regardless of religious or cultural backgrounds (Acts 10-11). We welcome all persons of faith to follow Jesus in baptism, regardless of their past mistakes, spiritual struggles, family system, age, disability, or any other status.
SEVENTH, THERE IS ONE BAPTISM; THEREFORE, WE DO NOT “REBAPTIZE” PEOPLE: A person does not need to be “rebaptized” or baptized again to be a member of West Side Baptist Church. The Bible is crystal clear there is only “one baptism” (Ephesians 4:5), just as there is “One Lord, one faith…One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all” (Ephesians 4:6). We honor and respect the act of Holy Baptism of the Christian Church, regardless of denominational or non-denominational status. If you are uncertain or have questions about your baptism or christening as a child, please speak with our Ordained Ministers.
SCHEDULE YOUR BAPTISM TODAY:
We will baptize a new believer of Jesus Christ on ANY SUNDAY that works best with the families’ and church schedules. Our Ordained Clergy will also baptize persons in lakes, pools, ponds, rivers, and other bodies of water as the Council approves. Talk to our Minister to schedule your baptism.
We do not offer private baptisms as Christian baptism is a public event that shares the person’s faith in Christ with the world.
Upcoming Holy Days: The Church invites the community to consider being baptized on one of these important
EASTER SUNDAY, APRIL 20, at 6:00 PM
MOTHERS DAY, MAY 11, 2025
PENTECOST SUNDAY, JUNE 8, 2025
RIVER BAPTISMS, SUNDAY, JULY 6, 2025
LABOR DAY, AUGUST 31, 2025
ALL SAINTS SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 2025
BAPTISM OF THE LORD SUNDAY, JANUARY 11, 2026
Updated: March 31, 2025.
