What Is Baptism?

Justin Warns

Justin Warns

Birmingham Lead Pastor

Since the very beginning when first-century mission preacher John the Baptist baptized followers of Jesus on the banks of the Jordan River, the act of baptism has been a fundamental element of the Christian faith. While most people can agree that baptism is a holy and important part of our faith, many people are left with questions.

At Kensington Church, we believe taking the plunge is a significant step in a person’s spiritual journey. This proclamation of faith is celebrated publicly a couple of times a year during church services or at special baptism events to support and celebrate this faith milestone.

I still have the picture that was captured the day I got baptized, hanging in my office only a couple feet from where I’m writing. On my right was my spiritual mentor who invested much of his time, effort and wisdom to help me grow in my spiritual journey. On my left was one of the first friends that I had that showed me what it means to follow Christ. And surrounding that moment are some of the most important people in my life who encouraged me throughout my spiritual journey of discovering who Jesus was and is in my life. It is one of my favorite days of the year to celebrate because I remember how significant it was in my life.

justin baptism

We have the opportunity celebrate baptisms at Stony Creek Metro Park on August 4. If you are feeling the nudge but still have questions, read on!

What baptism is not

Baptism is not how a person becomes a Christian. You became a Christian the moment you made a decision to place your faith in Jesus. If you do not get baptized, you are still a Christian because your salvation does not depend on good works. “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9).

Why is baptism important?

Just before Jesus ascended to Heaven, he gave one last command known as the Great Commission. He said, “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 19-20). Of all the things Jesus could have said before leaving the earth, he emphasized that those who make a choice to believe and follow him should be baptized. Baptism is an act of faith and obedience to the command and invitation of Christ. Baptism is also a significant moment that we get to experience with friends, family, faith community, and in our own relationship with Jesus.

What is the meaning of baptism?

Baptism is a symbol of Christ’s burial and resurrection. Our entrance into the water during baptism identifies us with Christ’s death on the cross, His burial in the tomb, and His resurrection from the dead. Colossians 2:12-14 summarizes the meaning of baptism perfectly:
“Having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through your faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead. When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross.”

Why should I consider getting baptized?

Jesus himself was baptized in the Jordan River! He was not a sinner, yet he humbled himself in obedience to identify with us and give us an example to follow. Mark 1:9-11 recounts “Just as Jesus was coming up out of the water, he saw heaven being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: ‘You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.’”

baptism celebration

When should I be baptized?

We’re all on a spiritual journey in life, and we’re all at different places on that journey. If you believe God the Father loves you so much that He sent his son Jesus to die on the cross for your sins, and if you commit to pursuing full-devotion to Jesus in all areas of your life, then you are ready to be baptized! If you’re not there yet, then baptism is not the right step for you to take at this point in your spiritual journey—and that’s OK! Everyone’s faith journey is unique and different. If you are still wrestling with questions about your faith, try an Alpha class or arm yourself with knowledge through resources like RightNow Media.

If I’m not baptized, can I still go to heaven?

Some people think they must get baptized in order to qualify for heaven. If you believe this to be true, consider the story of the crucifixion in the Bible when Jesus was being crucified between two thieves. One of the thieves continued to mock Jesus while the other said to him, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom” (Luke 23:42). This criminal was placing his faith in Jesus when he was only hours away from death. Jesus answered him in the following verse, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.” Baptism was not necessary for the thief to get to heaven. Your salvation is based on placing your faith in Jesus!

How does Kensington baptize believers?

Different churches baptize people in different ways. Some sprinkle water, others pour it over a person’s head. At Kensington, we practice baptism by immersion, which means your entire body goes under the water. The reason we do this is because the Greek word for baptism is baptize, which literally means, “to dip or immerse.”

Take the plunge!

If you’re ready to make the outward expression of your inward reality, register here.

Still have questions about baptism? I’d love to chat with you. As a Discipleship Director at Kensington, I love talking with people who are asking tough questions about their faith. You can email me at Justin.Warns@KensingtonChurch.org.

-Justin Warns, Central Discipleship Director

Share this post

230 Shares
You Might Like...
kevin valentine
Kevin Valentine

Am I #Blessed?

Whether it’s within a Christian context or not, you’ve probably heard someone say “hashtag blessed.” If you search “#blessed” on Twitter, millions of posts appear, ranging from pictures of kids to the perfect Starbucks drink.

worry
Linda Leinius

Purpose From My Pain

I am the oldest of two daughters born to deaf parents in a small Wisconsin farm town. As soon as I could talk, I was serving as my parents’ interpreter through sign language – connecting

Never miss another blog post.
Subscribe to be notified when new posts are published.

pagination_prv_arrow

Congregational Vote - Latest News!

Dear Kensington,

Yesterday was the Special Meeting vote to affirm our Senior Pastor candidate, which took place at all campuses during all services. If you were there or joined us online, thank you for taking part to vote on our candidate, Brian Mowrey, as our new Senior Pastor. Because of such a strong, positive turnout, members and the congregation have confirmed Brian as our new Senior Pastor with nearly 99% voting yes. Brian has said yes, and the Mowreys are coming to be part of the Kensington family! 

We all know this has been a long journey, requiring much patience and trust. Your continued commitment to Kensington and your willingness to lean into this process with us is what helped get us here today. With such a strong positive vote for Brian’s leadership, there is no doubt that we are ready to be led into what God has for us in the years ahead.

The next few months will be a time of transition and we ask that you continue to pray for Brian, Becca and the girls as their adventure is just beginning with us; also pray as they are concluding a chapter of their life with Walnut Hill. While this transition over the next few months will mean that Brian is back and forth between Kensington and Connecticut, Brian will be actively engaged with all that is happening at Kensington and will be relocated and in place with us by the end of summer.

Brian wanted to share with all of you a quick word of thanks for your trust in his leadership of Kensington. Watch here

Thank you, God, for your provision. It’s just beginning. Immeasurably More!!

Grace and Peace,

Craig A. Mayes
Lead Pastor & Elder
Kensington Church

Retreats

Podcasts

Websites

Subscriptions

Marriage 365

Married People

Growing In Marriage

Prepare Enrich

Subscriptions

Marriage 365

Married People

Growing In Marriage

Prepare Enrich

Books We Love

Preparing For Marriage

Marriage Prep

Before the Last Resort

Marriage Restoration

Vertical Marriage

Marriage Growth

Secrets of Sex and Marriage

Intimacy

Men Only/For Women Only

Marriage Growth

Smart Step Family

Blended families

The Meaning of Marriage

Marriage Prep

The Power of a Praying Wife

Marriage Growth

The Power of a Praying Husband

Marriage Growth

The 5 Love Languages

Dating

Love and Respect

Marriage Growth

Loving Your Spouse When You Feel Like Walking Away

Marriage Restoration

101 Questions To Ask Before You Get Engaged

Dating

Newlywed Couple's Devotional

Newlywed

Children's Programming During Services

Troy

5pm | 12/23
Birth–PreK programming

7pm | 12/23
Birth–PreK programming

11am | 12/24

Birth–PreK programming

1pm | 12/24
Birth–PreK programming

3pm | 12/24

Birth–PreK programming

5pm | 12/24
Birth–PreK programming

Orion

5pm | 12/23
Birth–PreK programming

7pm | 12/23
No children’s programming

11am | 12/24
Birth–PreK programming

1pm | 12/24
Birth–PreK and Elementary programming

3pm | 12/24
Birth–PreK and Elementary programming

5pm | 12/24
Birth–PreK programming

Clinton Twp

5pm | 12/23
Birth-PreK and Elementary programming

7pm | 12/23
Birth–PreK programming

11am | 12/24
Birth-PreK and Elementary programming

1pm| 12/24
Birth–PreK programming

3pm| 12/24
Birth–PreK programming

Birmingham

11am | 12/24
Birth-PreK programming


1pm | 12/24
Birth-PreK programming

Traverse City

2pm | 12/24
No children’s programming

4pm | 12/24
Birth–PreK programming

Clarkston

10am | 12/24
Birth-PreK and Elementary programming

12pm | 12/24

Birth-PreK programming

Marriage and Blended Family

The Marriage Course offers essential tools and practical ideas to help couples invest in their relationship and build a strong marriage. Strengthen your communication and gain a deeper understanding of your partner. The Marriage Course is based on Christian principles but designed for all couples with or without a church background.
REGISTER

The Blended Family Workshop addresses the confusing roles and boundaries involved in blending families and identifies why parents so often struggle in blending their efforts. Find a community of people who are contemplating blending a family or are “in the trenches” building and growing their blended family!
REGISTER


Please email 
marriage@kensingtonchurch.org with any questions.

Learning Labs

Discover rhythms and practices that can help us abide in the love, grace, and hope of God, where our lives can be transformed. Explore some of these practices together with others who are pursuing the same.

Orion

Birmingham Campus

We are offering a time for our congregation to gather after the 10am service for prayer in the Groves Auditorium, 20500 W 13 Mile Rd, Beverly Hills, MI 48025.

On Sunday evening, Dec 5, parents of high school and middle school students are invited to the second half of our Edge gathering at Genesis Church, 309 N Main St, Royal Oak, MI 48067, at 6:15pm. We will have a breakout to equip parents in caring for themselves and processing pain with their children in times of tragedy.

Parents & Student Resources

Parents – self care is critical. It’s important to do your own processing with another adult so that you can be more present as your child processes. Here are tools that you can use to get you started.

Podcast

Helpful Blogs

Other Materials

Counselors Are Needed After Tragedy

“The aftermath of the Oxford shooting tragedy will undoubtedly result in traumatic symptoms and experiences across our communities for quite some time. Healing the brain through evidence-based therapies is absolutely possible with clinical guidance. There is a valuable village of Trauma Therapists with collective resources standing by for Oxford, for both direct and secondary survivors to engage in therapy. Until then, we honorably hold a sacred space, as students, families, staff and school partners continue to mourn.” -Laura Azoni, LMSW, Founder of Sanctuary Services

Orion Campus

We believe that unity at this time is more important than ever. Several churches in the area are partnering together to offer space for students to begin the process of healing.

We will have several grief and trauma specialists on site this Sunday evening at our Orion Campus (4640 S Lapeer Rd Lake Orion, MI 48359) from 5-6:30pm and will have a night of prayer, worship and an opportunity for students to process with each other.

Tate Myre Funeral:
Monday, 12.6 Visitation 1 to 8pm
Tuesday, 12.7 Visitation 10-12pm and funeral at Noon

Clinton Township Campus

We will be offering a time for our congregation to gather after each service for a time of corporate prayer in the Greatroom. Prayer will be offered at 10:15 am and 12:15 pm. (25000 Hall Rd, Charter Twp of Clinton, MI 48036)

This Sunday at 3:30 pm as a community we want to gather, pray and mourn together. We are all looking for answers and wondering why tragedy happens but we can find hope and peace in Jesus. 

Troy Campus

Join us Sunday night, December 5th for a Community Prayer Vigil at Kensington Church at 6:00 pm. Invite friends, family, neighbors, and coworkers to come together for a time of hope and prayer. 

Following the Vigil, at 7:00 pm, there will be breakouts for students and for parents to process and be equipped in caring for themselves and those around in times of tragedy.

Marriage Classes

What grows marriages? Focusing on the two of you and being in community!
The Marriage Course includes seven sessions, designed to help couples invest in their relationship and build a strong marriage. Some couples do the course to intentionally invest in their relationship, others are looking to address more specific challenges. Either way, the course offers essential tools and practical ideas to help you build a relationship that lasts a lifetime. The Marriage Course is based on Christian principles but designed for all couples with or without a church background.

Please email marriage@kensingtonchurch.org with any questions.

Financial Peace University (FPU)

Financial Peace University (FPU) is a catalyst to help people live in financial freedom and enable them to have a posture of openhandedness. We have witnessed numerous Kensington families experience life change as a result of applying Biblical truths to their personal finances. The real blessing is seeing people create lives of margin that allow them to hear and respond to the Lord’s calling on their lives.

Please email discipleship@kensingtonchurch.org with any questions.

Bible Basics

Whether you are brand new to the Bible or have been reading it for decades, Bible Basics is a course that will help you understand the overall flow of the Bible. Over the course of several weeks, learn how the Bible came from the original writers to the English versions we have today. We’ll look at the big-picture story of the Bible and how all the individual books add to the whole. We’ll even learn a little about the history of the Jewish nation. But most of all, we’ll grow in our awe of the amazing author of this amazing book!

Please email discipleship@kensingtonchurch.org with any questions.

Orion

Alpha

What is my purpose? What value does the Bible have in my life? How do I pray? How can I grow in confidence to share my faith? These are the big questions that are at the heart of what it means to have a relationship with God. Alpha is a space to explore life’s big questions, to say what you think and to hear other people’s points of view. Over ten-weeks you will explore and discover while listening to weekly topics, participating in table discussion, and developing community. Alpha courses meeting in-person gather around a meal.

You don’t have to come for the whole series—just check it out for the first session and see what you think. No pressure.

Please email discipleship@kensingtonchurch.org with any questions.

Birmingham

Orion

Troy

You will then be directed to PushPay for payment.
For additional questions, please contact giving@kensingtonchurch.org or call 248.786.0637

GROUP LEADER DEVELOPMENT