Baptisms

As a church we take very seriously God’s gift of water baptism and throughout the year we have celebrations where people are baptised.

What is baptism? [Acts 2:38, Romans 6:4]

Baptism is a symbolic act [immersed in the Holy Spirit] using water to declare what Jesus has done in an individual’s life.

There are two great declarations made in baptism:

- The individual has died with Christ. As they go down into the water it is an image of how they have nailed their sin eternally onto the cross, they have repented and am trusting in Jesus for the forgiveness of their sins.

- The Individual is a new creation and enjoying a newness in life. As they come out of the water it is an image they are eternally forgiven and “clean” and have entered into a personal relationship with God.

What baptism is not?

- The means by which someone is saved and becomes a Christian.

- The means by which someone is made perfect.

- The means by which someone suddenly becomes more loveable to God.

- A religious and cultural empty token.

Why should I get baptised?

Because God wants you to. [Acts 2:38, Matt.28:19-20]

- Baptism is something God has commanded us to do as a sign of our love for Him and us following Him.

Because it is a means of grace.

- As we obey God and step out for Him, He will meet with us and refresh, encourage and renew us.

Because it is a public declaration.

- In baptism we are saying “I am not ashamed to love Jesus”, “I want to go public!”.

Because of what God has done, is doing and will do.

- Baptism is a symbol of the magnificent grace of God that is at work in our lives. It is a celebration and a recognition of how amazing He is, and how much we love Him.

Who can get baptised?

Anyone who has put their trust in Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Saviour. You do not need to know the Bible cover to cover, in the Bible we see it is something that people did as soon as they became Christians rather than when they became more “spiritually mature”.

If you love Jesus you can get baptised!