Baptism

Baptism is an outward expression of an inward transformation. It’s a public declaration that you’ve placed your faith in Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord. Through baptism, you are identifying with Jesus in His death, burial, and resurrection (Romans 6:4). It’s a beautiful symbol of the new life you have in Him.

Baptism doesn't save you—salvation comes by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8–9). But baptism is a significant step of obedience that follows your decision to trust in Jesus.

Baptism is for anyone who has responded in faith to Jesus. In the Bible, belief in Christ always came before baptism (Acts 2:41, Acts 8:12). So if you've put your faith in Jesus, whether recently or years ago, but haven’t been baptized yet, this step is for you.

At Heartland Church, we baptize by full immersion in water because that’s the method we see modeled in Scripture (Mark 1:10; Acts 8:38–39). The Greek word for "baptize" (baptizō) literally means “to immerse,” and immersion powerfully pictures the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus.

Being lowered into the water symbolizes dying to your old self, and rising up represents the new life you now have in Christ.