Baptism
New Life Starts Here
If you’ve recently chosen to follow Jesus, or if you’ve never been baptized, we invite you to take this meaningful next step in your faith journey.
Baptism is a beautiful, public expression of what God has already begun in your heart. It marks a fresh start—celebrating new life in Christ, the forgiveness of the past, and the promise that God will continue to be faithful as you walk with Him. It’s also a powerful moment to celebrate alongside your church family, friends, and loved ones.
Baptism is a beautiful, public expression of what God has already begun in your heart. It marks a fresh start—celebrating new life in Christ, the forgiveness of the past, and the promise that God will continue to be faithful as you walk with Him. It’s also a powerful moment to celebrate alongside your church family, friends, and loved ones.
Baby Dedication
COMMON QUESTIONS
What is baptism?
Jesus calls us to be baptized and set the example by going public with our faith (Matthew 28:19-20, Mark 1:9). Baptism is an act of obedience that shows we believe in Him and are committed to following Him (1 John 2:3). Because Jesus publicly declared His love for us, we have the opportunity to publicly declare our love for Him. Baptism is a way to turn from a life of sin and step toward Jesus—the only one who can truly transform our hearts and lives (Acts 2:38-41).
When’s the best time to be baptized?
For anyone who has decided to follow Jesus, baptism is the natural next step. When you commit your life to Him, you’re ready to take this important step of faith (Acts 8:12).
Do you baptize children?
As parents, we can guide our children and point them to Jesus, but the choice to follow Him is theirs (Romans 10:9). Baptism always comes after a person has personally decided to trust Jesus and commit to following Him (Acts 10:47-48). At Restoration at Hillside, we wait until children are old enough to understand what baptism means and can express their own decision to follow Jesus.
If your child has already invited Jesus into their life, take time to explain what baptism is and why it matters. Walk alongside them in the conversation, offering guidance and support, but let them take ownership of their decision.
If your child has already invited Jesus into their life, take time to explain what baptism is and why it matters. Walk alongside them in the conversation, offering guidance and support, but let them take ownership of their decision.
What’s the difference between immersing, sprinkling and other ways of baptizing?
In the Bible, baptisms were done by immersion, meaning fully going under the water. The original word for baptism most often referred to being submerged. Jesus Himself was baptized this way, going under the water and coming back up (Matthew 3:16, Mark 1:10).
Going under the water represents dying to our old life and sin, just as Jesus died, and rising back up symbolizes the new life and fresh start He gives us through His resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:3-4, Romans 6:3-5). Baptism is a visible picture of the transformation Jesus works in our hearts and lives.
Going under the water represents dying to our old life and sin, just as Jesus died, and rising back up symbolizes the new life and fresh start He gives us through His resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:3-4, Romans 6:3-5). Baptism is a visible picture of the transformation Jesus works in our hearts and lives.
Do I need to be baptized again?
If you haven’t yet been baptized by immersion since deciding to follow Jesus, we’d love to help you take that next step. Baptism is a one-time, meaningful step—you won’t need to do it again.
God never asks us to take a step that isn’t good for us. He always gives more than we could imagine, including the joy that comes from listening to Him and following His leading.
God never asks us to take a step that isn’t good for us. He always gives more than we could imagine, including the joy that comes from listening to Him and following His leading.
What happens after I get baptized?
After baptism, the next step is to find a person or a group to walk alongside you in discipleship. The goal is to learn who Jesus is and to develop an authentic, growing relationship with Him. Baptism marks a new beginning, but following Jesus is a lifelong journey of learning, growing, and trusting Him.