Common Questions

If you’ve made the decision to follow Jesus, baptism is one of the most meaningful next steps you can take. Baptism is a public celebration of moving from death to life through faith in Jesus Christ.

“Many of the people who heard Him believed and were baptized.” – Acts 18:8

1. Jesus was baptized.
   
   “At that time Jesus came from Nazareth and was baptized by John in the river.” – Mark 1:9

2. Jesus said we should be baptized.
   
   “Jesus said, ‘Go then, to all people everywhere and make them my disciples, baptize them in the name of the Father, the Son and Holy Spirit, and then teach them to obey everything I have commanded you.'” – Matthew 28:18-20

1. In Scripture, “baptize” means “to immerse or dip under water.” We baptize the way we see in Scripture that Jesus was baptized. “As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water.”– Matthew 3:16

2. Every water baptism in the Bible was by immersion. “Then both Philip and the man went down into the water and Philip baptized him. When they came up out of the water …” – Acts 8:38-39

Every person who believes in Jesus Christ should be baptized.

“Those who believed and accepted His message were baptized …” – Acts 2:41

“Simon himself believed and was baptized …” – Acts 8:13

“But when they believed Philip as he preached the Good News … and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.” – Acts 8:2

At Stonecreek, we do not practice infant baptism. We wait until children are old enough to believe and understand the true meaning of a relationship with Jesus Christ before we baptize them. Some churches practice a “baptism of confirmation” for children or “infant baptism” for babies. This is different from the baptism we read in Scripture, which is only for those who express a personal belief in Jesus Christ. While many of us were “confirmed” as children in our parents’ church, that confirmation or baptism was the parents’ decision as a covenant between them and God on behalf of the child. Stonecreek only practices water baptism by immersion after an individual has made a personal commitment to Jesus Christ.

Parent-Child Dedication is a public covenant between parents and God to raise their children according to biblical principles. Water baptism is not part of the parent-child dedication. During this service, parents publicly dedicate their lives and homes to raise their children in the faith until the child is old enough to make his or her own personal confession of Christ. At Stonecreek, we host parent-child dedications as a special Sunday afternoon event at least twice a year. For more info on the next parent-child dedication service, contact Kelly Matthews below.

As soon as you have believed! We encourage you not to delay.

“Those who believed … were baptized … that day!” – Acts 2:41

“Then Philip began with the Scripture and told him (the eunuch) the Good News about Jesus. As they traveled along the road, they came to some water, and the man said, ‘Look, here is water! Why shouldn’t I be baptized right now?’ Philip said, ‘If you believe with all your heart, you may.’ The man answered, ‘I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.’ So they went down into the water and Philip baptized him.” – Acts 8:35-38

No. As long as your baptism (sprinkling, pouring or immersion) was after faith in Christ as a public announcement of your commitment to Jesus Christ, you do not have to be baptized again to get involved at Stonecreek. However, Stonecreek solely practices baptism by immersion. It would be your choice to participate in Stonecreek’s practice of water baptism by immersion.

Yes. Our pastoral staff looks forward to talking with you about your decision to get baptized again, especially if your first baptism experience preceded your conversion to Jesus Christ.

If you have a kid who wants to get baptized we’d love for them to come to our next baptism class. The whole family is invited! Please fill out this interest form below.