In early times, baptisms were held in public places where family and friends could gather. This public witness marked the believer as a follower of Christ. Today, baptisms often take place in church buildings for the sake of convenience, but a public statement still is a part of the meaning. The person who is baptized identifies with Jesus Christ as Saviour and Lord.

The apostle Paul explained that baptism also symbolizes the believer’s union with Christ: “Don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father; we too may live a new life” (Romans 6:3–4).

Immersion in the baptismal waters symbolizes the end of the old way of life. Coming up out of the baptismal waters symbolizes the new life found in Christ. The person who was previously dead in sin has been made spiritually alive by the same power that raised Jesus from the grave. Water baptism identifies a person as a disciple of Christ and celebrates the passage from an old life into a new life in Christ. It is an outward sign of an inward change.

Baptism is not required to receive God’s salvation. However, we encourage all who have trusted in Christ for eternal life to be baptized as a step of obedience.

Though the Bible does not state a minimum age at which a person may be baptized, a believer should be old enough to understand the significance of baptism.

Jesus introduced water baptism in connection with His Great Commission (Matthew 28:19). He said that new disciples were to be baptized in the Name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

We believe Jesus meant this to be a permanent practice in the church and we encourage all believers to be baptized in water.

In New Testament times, baptism followed repentance and faith. Peter invited his listeners on the day of Pentecost to “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins” (Acts 2:38). Three thousand people responded to the invitation, and “those who accepted his message were baptized”. (Acts 2:41).

Here at SoutPort Church, we follow the same practice of water baptism. We believe that those who have repented of sin and put their faith in Jesus for eternal life are encouraged to take this step of obedience.

If you would like to submit a paper copy of the water baptism request form click below to download the form. Once completed you can drop off the completed form to the church office.

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Mail to PO Box 654, Saugeen Shores, ON, N0H 2L0