Now that you have become a Christian you will want to continue the journey of faith and obedience to Christ in order to grow and mature. In any new journey there are important steps. One step we encourage you to take soon after accepting Christ as Savior is baptism. Christ set the example when He was baptized by John. Baptism is an act of obedience to Christ, and illustrates to others that you have chosen to follow in His steps.
Matthew 3:16-17
Luke 3:21-22
Matthew 28:19
Acts 2:41

Baptism identifies you with Christ.
Wearing a sports uniform tells everyone whose team you are supporting. A wedding ring shows everyone you are committed to your spouse and your marriage. Baptism symbolizes to everyone that you are committed to Christ. Romans 6:3

Baptism illustrates Christ's death, burial and resurrection.
When a believer is immersed below the surface into the water, it portrays to observers that Christ died and was buried. As the person is raised up out of the water, it symbolizes the resurrection of Christ. I Corinthians 15:3-4

Baptism is a picture of your new life in Christ. Baptism pictures the death of your old sinful life and of being raised to walk in newness of life in Christ. Romans 6:4-5

Is baptism necessary? The Greek word "baptizo" is where we obtain our English word "baptism." The Greek definition is "to immerse, to dip or to submerge." Only a submerged body can represent death and burial. The body being raised up out of the water provides a picture of resurrection and new life. Acts 8:38-39

How will you be baptized? You will be asked to walk into a baptismal pool. The pastor will already be waiting in the water. He will announce to those present your commitment and desire to follow Christ in baptism. Next, he will immerse you into the water, and will bring you up out of the water. In Matthew 3:16, it tells us of Christ's baptism: "After being baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water." (NASB)

What Is Baptism?

Baptism is:

1. Public profession of a person’s faith and trust in Christ as evidenced in Acts 8:12 and Acts 8:25—38.
2. Symbolism of Christ’s own death, burial and resurrection as described in Romans 6:3—5.
3. Christ’s own baptism in Matthew 3:13—17.
4. Christ’s commandment to be baptized in Matthew 28:19—20.

Why should I be baptized?

1. Christ commanded it. He was the example. It was for obedience.
2. It was the pattern of the early church. We see it throughout the Book of the Acts of the Apostles. (Acts 2:37-41, 8:12, 8:36-39, 10:46-48, and Chapter 16.)
3. It is a source of unity and a point of common ground. All is level and equal at the foot of the cross and in the baptismal waters.

What do I need to do to be baptized?
Respond to God’s invitation with your own R.S.V.P.
Realize your need for God and respond by faith in Jesus Christ, God’s only begotten Son and Savior of the world, with your whole heart.
Say you’re sorry. Repent (change your mind) and begin a new direction and new way of thinking about your relationship with God and your daily walk as a person to do it God’s way.
Verbalize (with your mouth) your trust in Christ and the change that has taken place and that will take place as you mature spiritually in Him.
Plunge your past through baptism (your whole body) and begin a new walk and a new way coming out of the baptismal waters as an act of obedience expressing publicly your personal decision to trust Christ as Savior and Lord.
See a decision counselor following any worship service or call 770-234-8300 for assistance.

Where and when can I be baptized?
In the Chapel (on the first floor near the library) every Sunday (unless noted) after the 10:45 A.M. worship service has concluded. Instructions and introductions will begin at 1 P.M. Baptism services are held at 1 P.M. in the Chapel every Sunday (except when December 24 and December 31 fall on Sunday).

What about children?
Parents of children in Grades 1-6 may call our Children’s Ministry at 770-234-8212, and parents of preschoolers can call our Preschool Ministry at 770-234-8283, to talk with someone regarding your child’s baptism.

Baptism Prerequisites

The prerequisites for baptism are:

— Speaking to an invitational counselor

— Registering to be baptized by calling Rick Taylor at 770-234-8391

Parents of children (Grades 1-6) should call the Children's Ministry at 770-234-8262, and parents of preschoolers should call the Preschool Ministry at 770-234-8283 before your child may be baptized.

Where and When is Baptism?

We have baptisms in the Chapel (on the first floor near the library) every Sunday, unless noted, after the 10:45 A.M. worship service has concluded. (Exceptions are when December 24 and December 31 fall on Sunday.)

Instructions and introductions for the baptism service begin at 1 P.M.

Richard (“Rick”) Taylor
Associate Pastor of Missionary Care Center / Baptism

Rick Taylor was born in Plainfield, New Jersey, and lived there until he was 8 years old. His family moved to the suburbs of Atlanta in 1950. In 1963 he enlisted in the U.S. Army for four years. Just before departing for a 3½-year assignment in Kassel, Germany, he married his wife, Linda.

Upon his return from active duty, Rick began a job at a local bank, where he worked for 30 years. He also attended college, completing an undergraduate degree in finance. Before he took an early retirement in 1997, God brought two major Scriptures, Jeremiah 29:11 and Jeremiah 33:3, into his life. Through those two verses, God set Rick’s life on a whole different course.

In early 1998, God blessed Rick with a staff position at First Baptist Church Atlanta, then in 2003, he was ordained for ministry by Dr. Charles F. Stanley. Rick and his family had joined First Baptist Church Atlanta in 1977 and had been active in various church ministries over the years, including children’s Sunday school teaching, the deacon ministry, and the baptism ministry.

God has developed in Rick a heart for missions. He has participated in 11 short-term mission trips to South Africa, Ukraine and Jamaica. He praises God for what He has done and will continue to do in his life. He believes that the best is yet to come.

Rick and Linda, who have been married for 44 years, have a son, Wesley, daughter-in-law, Susan, and two grandchildren, Emily and Zach. Wesley and Susan serve as missionaries in Japan.