Get Baptized
Thinking about baptism or just curious? We’re glad you’re here! This page answers questions like “What is baptism?” and “Why do it?” You’ll also find a guide to getting baptized at Victory Church, along with FAQs. We’re excited for you and want to make this step easy. Here’s what’s inside: What Is Baptism?, Child Baptism, Baptism Weekend and FAQs.
What is water baptism?
Baptism is the next step in your spiritual journey once you accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. If you’ve never been baptized, or if you’re like a lot of people who were baptized or christened as an infant, then we encourage you to prayerfully consider getting baptized. In either case, you may be wondering, “Why baptism?” That’s a good question!
The decision to get baptized should be made consciously after you have received salvation and you’ve been “born again” by making Jesus Christ the Lord of your life. This is why we encourage those who have been baptized or christened as infants to be re-baptized after consciously accepting Christ. Water baptism is not a claim to perfection, nor will it make you perfect. Rather, it is a public statement of faith and submission to allow Jesus to transform you.
Child Baptism
It is important to make sure your child understands the decision they have made, and the significance of baptism for their life. The parent-child workshop is required before children age 8-11 can be baptized.This course is a wonderful opportunity for you and your child to understand what baptism means for them as they take the next step in their walk with Christ with confidence and clarity.
Next Workshops:
- Sunday, April 19
- Hamilton Mill 1PM
- Midtown, Norcross, and North Cobb campuses have reached full capacity, but your seat is still waiting—join us for the upcoming virtual workshop instead!
- Virtual 7PM (all campuses welcome)
Baptism Weekend – April 25-26
You’re invited to take the next step in your faith on Baptism Weekend!
This is a time for you to celebrate your decision to follow Jesus through outdoor water baptism. Baptisms take place after service across all campuses on one special weekend. If you’ve never been baptized, or if you feel led to get baptized again, register today and join us!
FAQ
What if I got baptized as an infant or child?
Unless you consciously submitted yourself to God and were aware of the significance of baptism and the statement you were making at the time you were baptized, you should be baptized again. Infant and child baptism usually has more to do with the faith of the parents than that of the child.
If you have previously been baptized in some form or another, please keep in mind that baptism should be done:
- by immersion in water,
- by those who have made a conscious decision to submit their lives to Jesus, and
- by those who understand the statement they’re making.
If all three of these elements weren’t present when you were baptized, we believe you should be baptized again.
What if my child wants to get baptized?
It is important to make sure your child understands the decision they have made, and the significance of baptism for their life. The Parent and Child Baptism Course is required before children age 8-11 can be baptized. This course is a wonderful opportunity for your child (age 8-11) to understand what baptism means and to take the next step in their walk with Christ with confidence and clarity. To ensure every child fully grasps the beauty and depth of this important decision, we do not baptize children age 7 and under.
Do I have to get baptized right away?
If you haven’t been baptized since committing your life to Christ, we believe there is no better time than now. It doesn’t matter how long you have been saved! In the New Testament, many people were baptized immediately after accepting Christ, but there are some examples of believers who weren’t baptized until a while later (most notably the Apostle Paul). Still, baptism is not something to be put off indefinitely. As followers of Jesus, we want to follow His example and get baptized as soon as possible.
Am I still a Christian if I don’t get baptized?
Absolutely! We are saved through faith in Jesus—His shed blood, death and resurrection—not through baptism. However, baptism is an act of obedience and a declaration of trust that flows out of God’s work of salvation in our hearts. As believers and followers of Christ, we follow his example and biblical command by getting baptized. And because it’s a celebration of faith, it’s a memorable moment that marks a big step on your journey.
Do I have to get baptized in a certain place or in a certain way?
Whether you get baptized in a formal church baptistery (as we have in our services), in a lake, stream, ocean, bathtub or water trough, the state of your heart is what determines the validity of your baptism, not the perceived holiness of the venue or the water itself. The condition of your heart is what’s important! In baptisms at Victory Church, we seek to follow the examples we are given in the New Testament. That is why we baptize by fully immersing individuals in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit and, specifically, in Jesus’ name.
Can I get re-baptized?
Certainly! There is no biblical prohibition against being baptized again and doing so may be an important step in your spiritual growth. If you do not feel that you understood the decision you were making at the time of your baptism, if you have fallen away from faith in God and would like to renew your trust and submission to Him, or if you feel like you are entering a new period in your life and would like to express your commitment to God’s will then we encourage and invite you to get baptized again!
Will I be expected to live a sinless life after I get baptized?
Only Jesus lived a life without sin. In our human nature, we all struggle with sin from time to time, and we all fail at times. The key is that when we do sin, we confess it, repent of it, humbly get back up, and go on trusting that Jesus’ blood has already cleansed us from all sin.
I’ve heard of baptism in the Holy Spirit. Is that the same?
Baptism by immersion in water and baptism in the Holy Spirit are not the same. Baptism in water is being fully immersed in water, going into the water symbolizes the death and burial of our old life, and coming out of the water symbolizes resurrection of a new life in Jesus. Baptism in the Holy Spirit is what is first described in the second chapter of the Book of Acts in the New Testament. It is a spiritual empowerment to live the life to which God has called us and is accompanied by signs and the impartation of spiritual gifts. Baptism in the Holy Spirit is another essential aspect of a believer’s life. Biblical references include: Acts 1:8, 2:4, 10:44-46, 19:6, and Matthew 3:1. If you would like to know more about it, we encourage you to speak with a pastor, small group leader or member of the prayer team. They will be glad to answer your questions, point you in the right direction, and pray with you to receive the Holy Spirit if you would like.