REQUEST FOR WATER BAPTISM
What is water baptism?
Water baptism is the Scriptural way of declaring publicly you have accepted Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Saviour. By being baptized, you are proclaiming to everyone that you have given your life completely over to Jesus​. It is joyous occasion and we celebrate with you in your profession of faith.
Why should we be baptized?
In the New Testament there are numerous references to water baptism. Jesus himself was baptized in water (Matthew 3:13-16), He commanded it (Matthew 28:19, Mark 16:16), and the early church practiced it (Acts 8:36-39, 10:47-48, 22:16, 16:31-33).
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In water baptism we identify ourselves with Christ (Galatians 3:27) How is this? We portray the death of Christ (Romans 6:3), the burial of Christ (Colossians 2:12, Romans 6:4) and the resurrection of Christ (Colossians 2:12). Thi sis pictured as we go into the water, under the water, and then come up out of the water.
Who should we be baptized?
Believers - those who have repented of their sins and have accepted Christ as Lord and Saviour should be baptized (Acts 2:38).
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We are not baptized to be saved, we are baptized because we are saved. Water baptism does not grant a person membership into the church, nor is it only limited to church members. If you have decided to follow Christ and want to be obedient to His commandments, you may be baptized , regardless of your church background or religious history.
When should I be baptized?
We practiced adult water baptism by immersion from the example that Jesus gave us when he was baptized by John in the Jordon River.
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While some churches may practice infant baptism, we believe a person must be old enough to make a personal decision to become a Christian.
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In our denomination, parents bring their babies to be publicly dedicated to God, following the example of Samuel's dedication as a child (1 Samuel 1:24-28). They raise the child in a Christian home so that when old enough, he or she may make that all important decision to accept Christ and then be baptized.
How is the baptismal service performed?
A complimentary "I Have Decided" black t-shirt will be given to each candidate to be worn. Wear a pair of dark (not white) modest shorts (no short shorts) Please bring a change of clothes, towel, garbage bag etc. and use the west hall bathrooms.
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Those to be baptized stand in waist-deep water in the baptismal tank behind the platform. The Pastor and perhaps an assistant will also be in the water. The Pastor will ask a few simple questions about the candidates salvation, or may give the candidate an opportunity to say a brief word of testimony.
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Just before the act of baptism, the Pastor will say words like, "name of the candidate, upon confession of your faith in the Lord Jesus Christ as Saviour and Lord, I now baptized you in the name of the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit". This is called the "baptismal formula", and is said in keeping with the Great Commission of Matthew 28:19. The Pastor and his assistant will lower the candidate backwards under the water, and then immediately raise candidate to his or her feet.