The next New Christians Class for children will begin on April 14 at 10:45 a.m. in Room Kenya. This four-week class from Lifeway will cover how you become a Christian, baptism and the Lord's Supper, what it means to be a church member, and how to develop a habit of daily Bible reading and prayer.  Email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it for more information or to register.

Who should be baptized?
Anyone who has trusted Jesus Christ as Savior.
“... and the Eunuch said, ‘Look! Water! What prevents me from being baptized?’ And Philip said, ‘If you believe with all of your heart, you may.’ And he answered and said, ‘I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God ...’ and he baptized him" (Acts 8:36-38).

What is baptism?
1. The word “baptism” means to immerse in water.
“After being baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water” (Matthew 3:16).
2. An act of obedience.
“Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ” (Acts 2:38).
3. A symbol of the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ and our new life with Him.
“We have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life” (Romans 6:3-5).
4. An essential part of the mission of the church.
“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and of the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 28:19).

What is baptism NOT?
1. The way a person becomes a Christian.
“That if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation” (Romans 10:9,10).
2. The literal washing away of our sins.
“To Him who loves us and released us from our sins by His blood” (Revelation 1:5).
3. Necessary for salvation.
“For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works [for example: baptism], so that no one may boast” (Ephesians 2:8,9).

Why should I be baptized?
1. To obey God.
2. To show others what God has done in your heart.
3. To follow the example Jesus gave us.
4. To join in unity with other believers.

When should I be baptized?
Soon after becoming a Christian.
“But when they believed Philip preaching the good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were being baptized” (Acts 8:12).

What must a child do to be baptized at First Baptist Church Atlanta?
All children ages 12 and under must meet individually with the children’s pastor or one of our trained children’s baptism counselors prior to baptism. An appointment can be made by calling the Children’s Ministry office at 770-234-8262. This process ensures the child has received Jesus as Savior and understands his or her need to be baptized.