BAPTISM
What is Baptism?
"Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit..." -Jesus (Matthew 28:19 NIV)
Baptism is how we go public with our faith. It shows others that you have been made new and represents your old sinful life being washed clean because of your faith in Jesus.
If you’re ready to take this step, or if you have questions, we’d love to help you do so. Just let us know some info about yourself and when you’d like to be baptized, and we’ll follow up with you.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q. Why Should I Be Baptized?
A. A simple reason why Christians should be baptized is because it follows the example that Jesus set for us when he himself was baptized (Mark 1:9-11). Jesus also instructed his followers to "go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19).
Q. What Is The Meaning of Baptism?
A. Baptism is the picture of forgiveness and new life. The water represents how faith in Jesus cleanses believers of their sin. Also, when you go down into the water and then resurface, you are publicly expressing your belief in Jesus' death, burial, and resurrection as well as your own spiritual rebirth.
Q. Why Be Baptized By Immersion?
A. We baptize by immersion because we want to be a church that does biblical things in biblical ways. In the language that the Bible was originally written in, the word for “baptize” literally means “to dip" or "immerse”, and baptisms in the Bible were done by immersion (i.e. Acts 8:38–39). Also, immersion best symbolizes a burial and resurrection. (Colossians 2:12).
Q. Who Should Be Baptized?
A. Everyone who decides to follow Jesus should be baptized as a landmark of their new life in Christ.
Q. What About Children?
A. Here at Camarillo Christian Church we love to see children making decisions for Christ and confessing their faith through baptism! To receive baptism a child must be able to understand that they have sinned, but that Jesus died in order that their sin would be forgiven.
Q. What About Infant Baptism?
A. Infants and newborns are precious and innocent, and do not have the need (nor the ability) to repent and turn from their sin. That's why we wait until a child has the need and ability to repent and follow Jesus before we baptize them. If you have not experienced believer's baptism, even though you may have experienced baptism as an infant, we strongly encourage you to be "re-baptized" as a repentant believer.
Q. When Should I Be Baptized?
A. The Bible teaches that baptism accompanies the decision to follow Jesus, so as soon as you believe that Jesus is your savior, you should be baptized (Acts 8:12).
Q. What Do I Wear?
A. We recommend that you bring a dark shirt and shorts or swimming trunks to wear for your baptism. We also provide t-shirts, shorts and robes as needed. There are private changing rooms available at the church for your convenience.