What's the Meaning of Baptism?

It illustrates Christ's burial and resurrection
Christ died for our sins. He was buried, and He rose again. -1 Corinthians 15:3-4
It illustrates my new life as a Christian
By our baptism then, we were buried with Him and shared His death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead...so also we may live a new life! -Romans 6:4
Baptism doesn't make you a believer - it shows that you already believe. Baptism does not "save" you; only your faith in Christ does that. Baptism is like a wedding ring - it's the outward symbol of the commitment you make in your heart.

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith...it is the gift of God - not by works, so that no one can boast. -Ephesians 2:8-9

Why Baptism by Immersion?

Because Jesus was.
As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. - Matthew 3:16
Every baptism in the Bible was.
(Example) ...then both Philip and the man went down into the water and Philip baptized him. When they came up out of the water... -Acts 8:38-39

The word "baptize" means "to dip under water".

The Greek word means "to immerse or dip under water".

It best symbolizes a burial and resurrection.
The founders of denominations agree:
Martin Luther - "I would have those who are to be baptized to be entirely immersed, as the work imports and the mystery signifies."

John Calvin - "The word 'baptize' signifies to immerse. It is certain that immersion was the practice of the ancient church."

John Wesley - "Buried with Him, alludes to baptizing by immersion according to the custom of the first church."

Who Should Be Baptized?

Every person who has believed in Christ
Those who believe and accepted His message were baptized... -Acts 2:41
At NorthStar, we wait until our children are old enough to believe and understand the true meaning of baptism before we baptize them.

When Should I Be Baptized?

As soon as you have believed
Those who believed...were baptized...that day! - Acts 2:41

There is no reason to delay. As soon as you have decided to receive Christ into your life, you can and should be baptized. If you wait until you are "perfect", you'll never feel good enough!