BAPTISMS

Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized in to Chirst Jesus have been baptized into His death? Therefore, we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in the newness of life. Romans 6:3-4

We at Anthem Hayden Church believe that there is a profound spiritual reality attached to baptism. This reality goes much deeper than the mere physical and outward ceremony of going under the water; instead, it reaches our very souls. This spiritual reality, or spiritual baptism, is the receiving of the Holy Spirit. This occurs when one places their faith in Jesus Chirst as their personal Lord and Savior. (Acts 1:5, 1 Corinthians 12:12-13, Ephesians 4:5)

While water baptism is not essential, it remains an important and powerful testimony of faith which is valuable for the edification of the body, the participating believer, and those not yet saved who may be in attendance. The physical act of water baptism cleary demonstrates the miraculous process of salvation: the entire body of the believer is submerged under the surface of the water illustrating the death of the old, sinful nature. Almost instantly after being submerged, the believer rises, drenched in water, demonstrating to all the overwhelming abundance of God’s grace and love that we are immersed in. This illustrates how complete God’s forgiveness is, covering and cleansing our entire being. Lastly, water baptism exhibits our new life in Christ, as exhibited by the believer coming up out of the water, thus illustrating the beginning of a new life, one lived through Jesus and for Jesus.