What is Baptism and why do we do it?

When we do baptisms, this is an exciting celebration of a person’s making a public demonstration of their communitment to Jesus. When we do this together as a family, it is a great opportunity to open up a conversation with your kids about baptism. Ask them what they know about baptisms already and watch this short little video as a great place to start and explore the topic. Be open about your experiences if you have gotten baptised and listen to your kids as they explore the idea. Being able to ask you questions and chat in a safe space is a great way to prepare them for the celebration and help them explore if they would want to do it one day too!
Some great points to cover when chatting are:

1. What is baptism? When we get baptised, we go under the water and come back up again. This symbolic act is a way to show everyone that you believe in Jesus as your saviour and you want to follow him with your whole life. Baptism is not salvation. Salvation is when you decide you want Jesus to be your Lord and Saviour and you believe in your heart and confess with your mouth (Romans 10:9) repenting of your sin and ask Jesus into your heart. Baptism is then a beautiful way to demonstrate to the world that you made that decision. During baptisms we often invite those getting baptised to share their story of how they gave their life to Jesus as a testimony of God's grace and to encourage others in their journey of faith.

2. Why do we go under the water to show our commitment to Jesus?
Going under the water represents an end to our old life and coming up represents a start to our new life of following Christ. It is a bit like washing off the old dirt as you go down into the water and coming up a brand new clean person, one that is a child of God. Jesus went into the grave and came out again alive and victorious! Baptism symbolizes the same death to the old and coming up with a new life in Christ.

3. Why do we get baptised? Because Jesus did it (Matthew 3:13-17) and told us to do it too. After Jesus died and rose again, he told his disciples “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 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, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:18-20.

4. Who can get baptised. There isn't an age on Jesus' instructions but if some one wants to get baptised they would need to really understand what it means to give their life to Jesus and want to do that whole heartedly. It isn't an empty ceremony but a beautiful declaration to the world that you have chosen to worship and follow Jesus. 

5. What if I'm afraid? Maybe of water or public audiences?  Fear of water and going under is not unusual and I know many amazing people who found a way either by having a jug pour over their heads instead or by practicing swimming in pools and baths beforehand to get used to it so there are definitely ways to help make it work for you if you really want to get baptised but have some challenges.
If you don't like public audiences, (like me😊) it helps to watch and hear about others who took the step and were brave, we can connect your child with another one that was baptised so they can talk. It can also help to take small steps to practice leading up to it by sharing your story with your family and in kids church.
We know that there are challenges but, if it's something you or your kids are interested in, keep exploring the idea together and get in touch with us! It is definitely not something to be forced, but rather an expression of what is already happening on the inside of us, our love for Jesus and our desire to be totally His forever!
Please get in touch with questions and to chat about this great topic anytime, I may not have all the answers but I can point you to some helpful resources and get behind you in prayer and support in the journey.