What is your next faith step?
You are not alone. We’d love to join you in prayer as we trust in the Lord for His perfect will for your life. He is our God who heals, restores, heals, and redeems every part of our life when we surrender and submit to Him. We are standing with you in Jesus name! AMEN!
This is the best decision you will ever make! We want to encourage you in your next steps. You’ve started your journey, and sometimes knowing what to do next is hard.
"The Lord says, 'I will rescue those who love Me. I will protect those who trust in My name. When they call on Me, I will answer; I will be with them in trouble. I will rescue and honor them. I will reward them with a long life and give them My salvation.'"
SERVING starts with GROWTH TRACK. What is Growth Track?
We call this 1+1=YOU! One hour at home with videos and one hour in person.
The videos share our story, the history of Passionate Life Church, our Biblical principles, our mission, and the church’s vision, etc.
We believe that it is SO important to know who your leaders are. Meet Pastors Andrew and Dawn, hear their story, and get to know them more!
PART 2 is where we get to know YOU! You belong here!
The one-hour in-person session is scheduled on a Sunday during the second service after you’ve watched the videos. This will be scheduled through our First Impressions Director.
The second session includes a personality test, a spiritual gifting test, and a discussion on your next steps at PLC. There is a place for YOU here!
We look forward to serving with you!
What is the significance of baptism?
Have you ever thought about getting baptized but have too many questions still unanswered?
In this article we would love to help you understand a little bit more about this significant next step in your journey of following Jesus.
Why should I consider getting baptized?
Following Christ:
In order to understand the reason for being water baptized, it is important to carefully consider what the Bible says about it: Jesus himself was baptized. He was not a sinner, yet He humbled Himself in obedience to identify with us and give us an example to follow.
“At this time, Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. The moment He came out of the water, He saw the sky split open and God’s Spirit, looking like a dove, come down on him. And a voice from heaven said, ‘You are my dearly loved Son, and you bring me great joy.’” Mark 1:9 NLT
An act of obedience:
Water baptism is an act of faith and obedience to the commands of Christ.
“Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:19-20 NLT
A public declaration:
Baptism declares that you are a follower of Jesus Christ. It is a public confession of your faith in, and commitment to, Jesus Christ. It is the next step after salvation through repentance and faith and is an important foundation for Christian life.
“And then he told them, ‘Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone. Anyone who believes and is baptized will be saved. But anyone who refuses to believe will be condemned.’” Mark 16:15-16 NLT
What is the meaning and significance of baptism?
A move from death to life:
Baptism is a symbol of Christ’s burial and resurrection. Our entrance into the water during baptism identifies us with Christ’s death on the cross, His burial in the tomb and His resurrection from the dead. “For you were buried with Christ when you were baptized. And with Him you were raised to new life because you trusted the mighty power of God, who raised Christ from the dead. You were dead because of your sins and because your sinful nature was not yet cut away. Then God made you alive with Christ, for He forgave all our sins. He canceled the record of the charges against us and took it away by nailing it to the cross.” Colossians 2:12-14 NLT
A brand-new life:
It is a symbol of your new life as a Christian. We bury the “old life”, and we rise to walk in a “new life”. Baptism is like a wedding ring, it is the outward symbol of the commitment you made in your heart, a commitment that has to be followed through and lived out on a daily basis.
Here is one simple way to explain baptism:
Baptism is a symbol, like a wedding ring, it’s meant to show the world that that you love, trust and have put your hope in Christ. Let’s say I’m not married right now, but if I put a wedding ring on my finger, would that make me married? No, of course not. Similarly, I can be baptized in a church, but that doesn’t make me a true follower of Christ. Imagine that I really was married, though. My husband and I really did go through the marriage ceremony, but I just didn’t have my ring on my finger. Would that mean I wasn’t married? No way, of course I would still be married. Similarly, I can be a follower of Christ, but not baptized, and my sins are still paid for and forgiven by God. But imagine that I truly was married, and I really, really loved my husband. Would I wear my wedding ring? Of course! I would love my husband and want the whole world to know it! In the same way, if I have trusted Christ to save me from sin, and He is the Lord and joy of my life, then I’ll want everyone to know about it. Baptism is a statement to everyone who sees it that I have trusted Christ for my salvation, and I’m committed to living for Him.
“This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!” 2 Corinthians 5:17 NLT
“For we died and were buried with Christ by baptism. And just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious power of the Father, now we also may live new lives.” Romans 6:4 NLT
Baptism does not make you a follower of Christ; it shows that you already are one! Baptism does not “save” you; only your faith in Christ does that.
“God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it.” Ephesians 2:8-9 NLT
A blessed life:
In baptism, the follower of Christ has the triune name of the triune God placed upon them: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The name of the Lord Jesus Christ is the name of the Godhead (one God in three persons). The Gospels tell us to baptize believers, “Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.” Matthew 28:19 NLT
Baptism confirms our position “in Christ” and affirms the blessings of the Father on us as His children.
A new family:
Baptism also connects us to the “body of Christ” – His people in the earth. In baptism there is a real sense of being joined with other believers, not just participating in an individual act of our own spiritual journey.
“The human body has many parts, but the many parts make up one whole body. So it is with the body of Christ. Some of us are Jews, some are Gentiles, some are slaves, and some are free. But we have all been baptized into one body by one Spirit, and we all share the same Spirit.” 1 Corinthians 12:12-13 NLT
How are we to be baptized?
As per the example of Jesus – by being immersed in water. The word “baptize” comes from the Greek word “baptize” which means “to immerse or dip under water”.
“After His baptism, as Jesus came up out of the water, the heavens were opened and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and settling on Him.” Matthew 3:16 NLT
Every baptism in the Bible was by immersion under water. The book of Acts shows us that this was the norm for every believer.
“Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and Philip baptized him. When they came up out of the water…” (Acts 8:38-39)
Who should be baptized?
Every person who has made the decision to follow Jesus Christ and make Him their Lord and Savior. When Paul writes to the believers in Rome, he assumes that all of them have been baptized (Romans 6). The one requirement for baptism is salvation in Christ!
“Those who accepted His message were baptized.” (Acts 2:41)
“But now the people believed Philip’s message of Good News concerning the Kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ. As a result, many men and women were baptized.” Acts 8:12 NLT
We believe in baptizing children when they are old enough to understand what it means and make a personal declaration of faith.
When are we to be baptized?
Jesus followers in the New Testament were baptized the same day. As soon as a person decides to believe in Christ, he or she can be, and is encouraged to be baptized.
The Bible is God’s Word to all people. It was written by human authors under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit. Because it was inspired by God, the Bible is truth without any mixture of error and is completely relevant to our daily lives.
Deuteronomy 4:1-2; Psalms 119:11, 89, 105; Isaiah 40:8; Matthew 22:29; John 5:39, 16:13-15, 17:17; Romans 15:4; 2 Timothy 3:15-17; Hebrews 1:1-2, 4:12; 1 Peter 1:25; 2 Peter 3:16
God has existed in a relationship with Himself for all eternity. He exists as one substance in three persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Although each member of the Trinity serves different functions, they each possess equal power and authority.
Deuteronomy 6:4; Isaiah 61:1; Matthew 28:19; Mark 1:9-11; Luke 1:35; John 5:21-23, 14:10, 16; Romans 8:9-11; 1 Corinthians 8:6; 2 Corinthians 13:14; Hebrews 1:8-10; James 2:19
God is great: He is all-powerful, all-knowing, ever-present, unchanging, completely worthy of our trust, and above all, holy. It is in Him that we live, move, and exist. God is good: He is our Father. He is loving, compassionate, and faithful to His people and His promises.
Exodus 3:14; Numbers 23:19; Leviticus 11:44-45, 19:2; Psalm 11:4-6; Malachi 3:6; John 3:16, 4:24, 5:26, 14:1; Acts 17:28; Romans 3:3-4
Jesus Christ is completely human but, at the same time, completely God. He is the only plan for bringing people who are far from God back into a right relationship with God. He lived a perfect life, so that He could be a substitution for us in satisfying God’s demands for perfection. He defeated death in His resurrection so that we could have life.
Isaiah 7:14, 53; Matthew 1:18-23, 3:17, 8:29, 14:33, 16:16, 28:5-6; Luke 22:70, 24:46-47; John 1:1, 14, 10:30, 11:25-27, 17:1-5; Acts 1:9, 2:22-24, 7:55-56; Romans 1:3-4, 3:23-26, 8:1-3, 10:4; 1 Corinthians 8:6; 2 Corinthians 5:19-21; Gal 4:4-5; Philippians 2:5-11; Colossians 1:15, 2:9; 1 Timothy 2:5-6, 3:16
His presence assures us of our relationship with Christ. He guides believers into all truth and exalts Christ. He convicts people of their sin, God’s righteousness, and the coming judgment. He comforts us, gives us spiritual gifts, and makes us more like Christ.
Genesis 1:2; Psalms 51:11; 139:7 ff.; Isaiah 61:1-3; Joel 2:28-32; Mark 1:10; Lk 1:35;4:1; 11:13; 12:12; John 15:26; 16:7-14; Acts 1:8; 2:1-4; 13:2; Romans 8:9-11, 14-16, 26-27; 1 Corinthians 3:16; Ephesians 1:13-14; 2 Peter 1:21; Revelation 22:17
Man was created to exist forever. He will exist either eternally separated from God by sin or in union with God through forgiveness and salvation. To be eternally separated from God is Hell. To be eternally in union with Him is Heaven. Heaven and Hell are places of eternal existence.
John 3:16, 36; Romans 6:23; 1 John 2:25; 5:11-13; Revelation 20:15
We are made in the image of God and are the supreme object of His creation. We were created to have fellowship with God but became separated in that relationship through sinful disobedience. As a result, we cannot attain a right relationship with God through our own effort. Every human personality is uniquely created, possesses dignity, and is worthy of respect and Christian love.
Genesis 1:26-30; 2:7, 18-22; 3; Psalms 8:3-6; 32:1-5; 51:5; Isaiah 6:5; Jeremiah 17:5;Acts 17:26-31; Romans 1:19-32; 3:10-18, 23; 5:6; 6:6; 7:14-25; 1 Corinthians 1:21-31;15:19, 21-22; Ephesians 2; Colossians 1:21-22; 3:9-11
The blood of Jesus Christ, shed on the cross, provides the only way of salvation through the forgiveness of sin. Salvation occurs when people place their faith in the death and resurrection of Christ as sufficient payment for their sin. Salvation is a gift from God, and it cannot be earned through our own efforts.
Isaiah 1:18; 53:5-6; 55:7; Matthew 1:21; 27:22-66, 28:1-6; Luke 1:68-69; 2:28-32; John 1:12; 3:16, 36; 5:24; Acts 2:21; 4:12; 16:30-31; Romans 1:16-18; 3:23-25; 5:8-10; 6; 1 Corinthians 1:18; 2 Corinthians 5:17-20; Galatians 2:20; 3:13; Ephesians 2:8-10;Philippians 2:12-13; Hebrews 9:24-28; Revelation 3:20
The Church is a local community of baptized believers unified through faith in Christ. It is committed to the teachings of Christ and obeying all of His commands, and it seeks to bring the Gospel to the world. The Church works together in love and unity, intent on the ultimate purpose of glorifying Christ.
Matthew 16:18-19; 18:15-20; Acts 2:41-47; 5:11-14; 13:1-3; 14:23; 16:5; 20:28; 1 Corinthians 7:17; 9:13-14; 12; Ephesians 1:22-23; 2:19-22; 3:10-12; 5:22-32; Colossians 1:18; 3:15; 1 Timothy 4:14; 1 Peter 5:1-4;
Revelation 21:2-3
