Following Jesus and baptism
Baptism is a public way to show what God has already done in your heart. Sign up and a pastor will reach out to talk with you.
Decide to follow Jesus
Following Jesus is the most important decision you’ll ever make. If you’ve ever felt like your best efforts are never enough, or wondered if there’s more to life, the missing piece is a person: Jesus. He died on the cross and rose again to bring you back to God, and He offers forgiveness, new life and a purpose that lasts.
The Bible says that if you declare with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved (Romans 10:9). If you’ve made that decision, or want to talk about it, find someone at the front near the stage after any service. We’d love to pray with you.
Your next step: baptism
Baptism is the next step after deciding to follow Jesus. It’s a public way to show that your life has changed. Before you’re baptized, take some time to think about your story: what God has been doing in your life, what Jesus means to you and how following Him has changed you. Writing it down can help you share it with others.
Want to talk about baptism?
Misty RoweExecutive Pastor
Email [email protected] or call (217) 243-6445 and we’ll connect you.
Common questions
What is baptism?
Baptism is a picture of Jesus' death, burial and resurrection, and a public way to say you've decided to follow Him. It shows on the outside what God has already done on the inside.
Does baptism save me?
Only Jesus saves. Salvation comes by grace through faith, not by anything we do. Baptism is an important step of obedience and a public sign of the change God has made in your life.
Why should I be baptized?
Jesus was baptized as an example for us, and the pattern in the early church was simple: people believed, turned to God, confessed Jesus as Lord and were baptized. A better question might be, "Why not?"
How much do I need to know?
You need to understand that you're a sinner in need of God's grace and that Jesus is your Savior. You'll keep learning for the rest of your life, and that's how it should be.
How do I know if I'm ready?
You're ready if you believe Jesus is the Son of God, that He died for your sins and rose again, and you want to surrender your life to Him and follow His lead.
What am I committing to?
A life of following Jesus. It's about progress, not perfection. When we stumble, we turn back to Him.
Why does 1C baptize by immersion?
The Greek word for baptism means "to dip or immerse," and immersion was the common practice of the early church for centuries.
I was baptized somewhere else, or as an infant. Does that count?
What matters most is the faith behind your baptism, not where it happened. If you were baptized as an infant or aren't sure about your baptism, we'd love to talk with you about it.
Should my baby be baptized?
We believe a person is ready for baptism once they can understand their own need for Jesus, so we don't baptize infants.
Can I be baptized again?
We usually only recommend it if you aren't confident in your first decision, for example if you felt pressured or were baptized out of guilt. Sin after baptism is handled through confession and turning back to God, not another baptism.
Where do I see baptism in the Bible?
All through the book of Acts: the Samaritans (Acts 8:12), the Ethiopian official (Acts 8:36–38), Cornelius (Acts 10:47–48), Lydia (Acts 16:14–15), the Philippian jailer (Acts 16:31–33), the Corinthians (Acts 18:8) and Paul himself (Acts 9:18).
Ready to be baptized?
Fill out a short form. A pastor will reach out to talk with you.