Water Baptism

Eligibility

Who should be Baptized?

• All who claim salvation through Jesus Christ and are truly repentant.
• Infant baptism is not scriptural because an infant or toddler has not yet developed enough to understand salvation they have not confessed salvation through Christ and have not expressed faith in Christ.

All baptisms should be accompanied by:

• Profession of faith (Acts 8:37)
• Prayer (Acts 22:16)
• Vow of consecration (1 Peter 3:21)

Application

We encourage you to invite family and friends. Be prepared to give a brief (two minute) testimony. It is recommended that you have your testimony in written form.

What to Do

• Read through this document.
• Complete and submit the baptism application (please print clearly and be thorough).

What to Bring

• Towel, T-shirts & shorts or pants to wear under the baptismal robe (which will be provided)
• Plastic bag (to put your wet clothes in)
• Blow dryer or bathing cap (if needed)
• Water shoes to wear in the pool (optional)

Testimony

To help you develop an effective testimony, begin to write out simple, brief responses on an index card or small piece of paper:

1. Briefly describe where you were spiritually before receiving Christ as your Savior. How did that condition affect your feelings, attitudes, actions or relationships?
2. Explain what motivated you to consider Christ and to receive Him into your life. Describe how your life has changed since you trusted Christ.
3. As you consider your life “before Christ” and “after Christ”, look for a theme that can tie your testimony together. For example, “I used to live with a great deal of fear, but when I came to know the love of God through Jesus Christ that fear disappeared.”

It is recommended that you write out your thoughts onto a note card and read your testimony from this card at the baptism service. This can be helpful if you are not used to speaking in front of an audience. Always keep your testimony positive by focusing on good things the Lord has done for you rather than bad things others have done. Avoid specific negative references to individuals or groups so that you can keep the emphasis on God and His faithfulness! Remember to keep it brief-one or two minutes at most. A few well-chosen words can have a powerful impact!

We will meet downstairs in the fellowship hall the day of the service.

Water Baptism Definition

Water Baptism is one of two ordinances* in the Christian Church. It is the ceremony of entrance into the Church. It symbolizes the death of the old sinful life and birth of the new life in Christ. When we invited Jesus Christ to be our Lord and Saviour, God cleansed us by His Holy Spirit with the blood of Jesus Christ. Water Baptism portrays this act. It is a sign of what has been done. Water Baptism does not provide forgiveness for, or cleanse away sin. Baptize is the English form of the Greek word “baptizo” that is derived from the word “bapto” meaning “to dip” or “immerse”. It is a ceremonial or symbolic cleansing of a person in both the Jewish and Christian church. In both cases it is usually administered as a rite of induction into the faith.

*Ordinance is an authoritative command or direction; decree of god; a governmental statute, regulation or law; religious rite or ceremony.

Types of Water Baptism

There are three types of baptism mentioned in the scriptures.

Judaism

Converts were immersed up to their neck, and read the Law (Word of God; Holy Scriptures). Afterwards they were plunged beneath the water as a sign of being cleansed from the defilement of heathenism and the beginning of a new life as a member of God’s covenant people. (Exodus 19:10-14; Leviticus 8:6; Mark 7:3-4; Hebrews 9:10)

John’s Baptism

John the Baptist called the people to repent for their sinful nature (actions and attitudes) and be baptized to prepare themselves to receive “the Kingdom of God” Jesus Christ (Luke 3:3; Isaiah 40:3). His job was to prepare the people to receive “THE WORD OF GOD” incarnate, Jesus Christ, in order that the seed of the WORD would have fertile soil to germinate, grow and bring forth fruit. Many of the religious leaders were offended by this request, since the law and tradition only required baptism of gentiles.

Christianity

Similar to the Jewish baptism, this is a ceremony performed on converts. It symbolizes the death burial and resurrection of the Jesus Christ and the believer (Romans 6:1-4). Water baptism is to the believer as marriage is to someone who is engaged. When a person gets married it is usually a very elaborate and public ceremony. When the vows are exchanged the bride and the groom do not fall in love with each other, at that moment. There was a personal relationship that developed privately over time! The wedding ceremony symbolizes the love and the bond of unity that evolved between the couple and culminated in their commitment to each other. It is a display of the love that grew privately but is ready for public presentation.

Baptism Portrays

Baptism is a sacred drama or advertisement portraying:

Regeneration

The new birth experience is described as a washing (bath) in Titus 3:5; Sins and the defilement of the old life have been washed away.

Experience

It shows a spiritual identity and union with Christ (marriage); Christ died for sin so that man could die to sin; Christ rose from the dead that we might have new life (a righteous life in him).

Salvation

Death to sin; burial via submersion; resurrection to new life in Christ via emerging (Romans 6:1-4).

Testimony

Baptism should be a public display of what has taken place in private (Galatians 3:27). It is a formal public announcement of your allegiance to Jesus Christ and His Kingdom.

Application