Baptism

1 - Jesus commanded baptism. The risen Christ gave us our directions - the Great Commission. When you are baptised as a believer it is Jesus you are obeying. 'All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you'. Matthew 28: 18-20.

2 - Jesus was baptised. John the Baptist tried to prevent him. Unlike everyone else Jesus had done nothing wrong. He didn't need to repent, nor did he need to be cleansed from sin. But Jesus identified with us in baptism, anticipating the cross, where he took our sin upon himself dying in our place. Jesus was baptised not because he needed forgiveness, but out of obedience to God. When you are baptised, you identify with the obedience of Jesus. Jesus replied, 'Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfil all righteousness.' Then John consented. Matthew 3:15.

3 - The Apostles taught baptism. New believers need to be baptised. Peter made this plain at Pentecost, on the day the church was born. 'Repent and be baptised, every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.' Acts 2:38

4 - The first believers were baptised. 3,000 new Christians were baptised after Peter's first sermon (Acts 8:12) and also the Ethiopian official (Acts 8:38). Paul was baptised after his dramatic conversion (Acts 9:18) and then he baptised others including Lydia and the Philippian jailer (Acts 16:15,33).

5 - Every believer was baptised. The New Testament never sees baptism as an optional extra! Neither did believers need special guidance to see whether it was 'right for them'. Every new believer was baptised. In fact baptism is one of the four key elements of Christian belief taught and practised in the New Testament. repentance for past sin saving faith in Christ being filled with the Spirit believer's baptism Christian beginnings involve all four. Paul could take it for granted that every believer will have been 'baptised into Christ', both by water and by the Spirit (Romans 6:3-11). Baptism is not for special cases; it‘s a command and a blessing for you.

If not, don't ask for baptism yet. Talk to Christians, read a Christian book, or ask to join one of our Alpha Groups, to find out more about Jesus for yourself. Do you feel not good enough? That's fine, because no one is. The whole point of baptism is what Christ has already done at the cross. Your baptism declares the goodness of Christ, which you have received by faith.

If so, you are eligible because, like the New Testament church we practise believers baptism.

If you want to be baptised but physical frailty or some other reason makes immersion difficult or even impossible, please speak to the leaders - we can arrange something special for you.

Moments before a baptism

Then you should be out of obedience to Christ.

We have come to be convinced of the importance of being baptised as believers. We invite you to consider for yourself the place of baptism in the New Testament: 'Go and make disciples......baptising them' Matthew 28:19 ' Repent and be baptised' Acts 2:38 'When they believed Philip as he preached the good news....they were baptised.' Acts 8:12.

Do see David Russell if you are considering baptism.

This page was created on Saturday 07 July 07 and last updated on Sunday 08 February 09