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Water Baptism We affirm your desire to be a witness to the local body by being baptized. It is a further step in your spiritual growth and another way you will be showing Jesus Christ to others. If you are interested in baptism, please notify the Church Office at 924-6832.
Questions WHO SHOULD BE BAPTIZED ?
Every person who has trusted in the Lord Jesus Christ as Savior should be baptized.Acts 2:14 “Those who accepted his (Peter’s) message were baptized.” Acts 8:12 “But when they believed Philip as he preached the good news…, they were baptized, both men and women.” Acts 18:8 “Many of the Corinthians who heard him (Paul) believed and were baptized.” The one requirement for baptism is belief in Jesus Christ. For this reason we do not baptize children until they are old enough to understand and believe.
WHY BE BAPTIZED ?
Christ commands believers to be baptized.Jesus said… Matthew 28:19 “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them…” Baptism is a step of obedience to Christ and His Word. 1 John 2:3 “We know that we have come to know Him, if we obey His commands.” Jesus said… John 14:15 “If you love Me, you will obey what I command.”
WHAT IS THE MEANING OF BAPTISM ?
Baptism is not a saving ritual.Ephesians 2:8-9 “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.” Titus 3:5 “He saved us, not because of the righteous things we have done, but because of His mercy.” Baptism is a symbol of the work of the three persons in the Godhead in providing us eternal life. Matthew 28:19 “Make disciples... baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” Baptism is a symbol of our union by faith in Christ’s burial and resurrection for a new life as a Christian. Colossians 2:12 “...having been buried with Him in baptism and raised with Him through your faith in the power of God, who raised Him from the dead.” Romans 6:4 “We were therefore buried with Him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead… we too may live a new life.” Baptism is a symbol of the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit. Titus 3:5 “He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit.”
HOW ARE WE TO BE BAPTIZED ?
Baptism in the New Testament was immersion in water.Matthew 3:16 “As soon as Jesus was baptized, He went up out of the water.” Acts 8:37-39 “The eunuch said “Look, here is water…” then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water, and Philip baptized him. ...they came up out of the water…” The word “baptism” means “to dip, to immerse.”
WHO MAY DO THE BAPTIZING ?
Believers who wish to “disciple” (help a Christian follow Christ’s teaching) a believer may participate in baptizing that believer. Parents may enjoy the blessing of baptizing their believing children.Matthew 28:19 The Great Commission commands all believers to “make disciples” and does not prohibit them from baptizing new believer they lead to Christ. Acts 8:38 Philip, commonly called a deacon (Acts 6:5), baptized the new Ethiopian convert. Acts 9:18 Ananias, simply called “a disciple” (Acts 9:10), baptized the new convert Saul, later called Paul.
WHEN SHOULD I BE BAPTIZED ?
As soon as a person declares his belief in Christ, he may be baptized. Throughout the book of Acts, Christians were baptized soon after their belief.Acts 2:41 “those who accepted his message were baptized… that day.” Acts 8:12 “When they believed...they were baptized.”
WHAT DO I NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE BAPTISM DAY ?
There will be a brief time of personal testimony during the baptism, (“I became a Christian when…” or “I want to be baptized because…”)Once you know the day you are being baptized, be sure to tell your parents, relatives, and friends. Give them plenty of notice so they can plan on attending. You may chose at which service you would like to be baptized. There will be a Baptism Orientation in Room 2, at 8 a.m. Be in the Baptism area by 8:45 for the 1st service; or 10:15 for the 2nd service. Be sure to bring : a towel, shorts and a t-shirt ( or modest bathing suit and t-shirt) and a complete change of clothes. Blow dryers may be used in a different bathroom, not the changing room as they are too loud.
If you want to report any errors on this page please Email The Web Master Last Update 20 May 2003
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