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Baptism: A Guide 

If you've decided to follow Jesus, baptism is your next step: a public way of saying "I belong to Him." This guide explains what baptism means, why it matters, and how it works at The Lakes Church in Muskegon.

 

Read it through, take time to answer the reflection questions, and bring your questions to a pastor.

 

Nobody has to have it all figured out to take this step.

​​What baptism is

Baptism is being fully immersed in water in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. It is an outward sign of an inward change that God has already begun in you.

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The Lakes Church puts it this way in its beliefs: baptism bears witness to what you believe and declares your allegiance to Jesus as Lord.

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The picture is simple:

  • Going under the water: your old way of life dies and is buried with Christ.

  • Coming up out of the water: you rise into new life with Him.

 

"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 6:4)

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Why be baptized

Baptism isn't about joining a club or pleasing family. It is a joyful act of obedience to Jesus. There are three big reasons:

  1. Jesus commands it. "Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit." (Matthew 28:19)

  2. It shows you belong to Him. "All of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ." (Galatians 3:27)

  3. Jesus did it first. Jesus was baptized by John in the Jordan River, and the Father said, "This is my Son, whom I love." (Matthew 3:13–17)

 

When people asked Peter what to do, he said, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ." (Acts 2:38) Centuries later, the early church undertook a long catechesis process until someone could enter the waters of Baptism. We often ask, "Which is right?" But a more helpful question may be: What is drawing you to be baptized right now?

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Does baptism save me?

No. Jesus saves you; baptism celebrates His saving work. The Lakes believes salvation belongs to the Lord, and it is a gift of grace received through faith.

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"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God." (Ephesians 2:8)

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Think of a wedding ring. The ring doesn't make you married, but it publicly shows that you are. Baptism works the same way: it publicly shows a relationship with Jesus that has already begun.

 

What if I was baptized as a baby? Many churches that practice believer's baptism invite people to be baptized by immersion after choosing to follow Jesus for themselves.

 

Ask a pastor at The Lakes how they approach this; it's a common question.

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Three new realities

Baptism marks your entry into a new identity, a new family, and a new mission. These line up with how The Lakes describes following Jesus: Being with Jesus, Becoming like Jesus, and Joining Jesus' renewal of all things. 

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New identity - You are a beloved child of God, forgiven and made new.

New family - You aren't following Jesus alone. You belong to a local church that worships, prays, and eats together.

New mission - You join Jesus in loving your neighbors and seeing Muskegon renewed.

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Reflect: Which of these three feels most exciting to you? Which feels hardest?

 

A two-way commitment

Baptism is a two-way promise: you commit to follow Jesus, and your church family commits to walk with you. Like wedding vows, you say it out loud, in front of people who will help you keep it.

Your commitment:

  • Turn from sin and follow Jesus as Lord for life.

  • Trust Jesus as your teacher and receive the Holy Spirit.

  • Live under the authority of Scripture and in a local church.

 

Your church family's commitment

  • Welcome you fully as family.

  • Love you with compassion and forgiveness.

  • Share life, pray for you, and help you grow to maturity in Christ.

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Getting baptized at The Lakes Church

Email - info@mylakes.church

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Children and baptism

We often say, "there is no junior Holy Spirit," and aim to make disciples of all ages. A child who can understand and say in their own words that Jesus is their Lord and Savior may be ready for baptism. If your child is asking about baptism, try these questions together:

  • Who is Jesus, and what did He do for you?

  • Why do you want to be baptized?

  • What does going under the water and coming back up mean?

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Then talk with a pastor about your child's readiness and next steps.

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After you're baptized

There's no checklist to keep up with here. You don't earn God's love; you already have it. Baptism is the beginning, and you grow with Jesus through a few simple rhythms. Start with one or two that feel life-giving.

  • Pause with God. The free Pause app from Wild at Heart (John Eldredge) guides you through a 1- to 10-minute break each day to release what you're carrying and reconnect with God. 

  • Get to know the Bible. BibleProject's How to Read the Bible plan offers 19 days of short animated videos and readings for people new to the Bible. It shows how the whole Bible tells one story that leads to Jesus. More videos are at bibleproject.com.

  • Come home on Sundays. Your church family gathers at 10:00 am at 2250 Denmark St. Come as you are.

  • Walk with a friend. We grow in our discipleship to Jesus together. 

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