Our next baptism service
join us to celebrate baptisms on:
Sunday 22nd september | 10am | Central Hall
Interested in being baptised?
Read on for more information and get in touch to let us know! Email central@newcommunity.org.uk
We would love to hear your story!
WHAT IS BAPTISM?
Christians have been baptising new believers from the earliest days of the Christian faith. In fact Jesus himself was baptised by John the Baptist at the start of his ministry,[i] and throughout his ministry Jesus asked his disciples to baptise his followers.[ii] On the day of Pentecost, after Jesus returned to heaven, the disciples baptised thousands of new believers in one day.[iii] New believers have been getting baptised ever since.
Baptism was not just something for Jesus and his disciples to do, with his last words before returning to heaven he commanded us to follow his example:
Jesus came and told his disciples…”go and make disciples of all the nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you.”
[Matt 28:18-20 NLT]
A Symbolic act, with a spiritual effect
Baptism is a symbolic act - so what does it symbolise?
Bath:
Baptism represents taking a bath.[iv] It symbolises being cleansed or washed, our sins being washed away. Baptism doesn’t wash our sins away – it simply symbolises what has already happened when we said sorry to God for the wrong that we had done, and he forgave us.
Burial:
Baptism also represents a burial and new birth.[v] Going down into the grave as we go under the water – and emerging back into a new life as we resurface. Dying to the old life – being born into new life. Again this has already happened when we gave our life to Christ, baptism doesn’t do this for us – it simply symbolises what has already taken place.
Baptism reminds us that when we gave our lives to Christ we started a new life that lasts for eternity with Him - that we have a new beginning. Baptism gives us something to experience physically - to help us understand and remember the truth of what Christ has done for us.
A Spiritual Effect:
Though baptism is a symbolic act – there is nothing ‘magic’ about it – it often seems to have a spiritual effect for the person being baptised. For Jesus his baptism was the starting point of his public ministry. It is only after his baptism that we read about him preaching and healing the sick.[vi] People often find that when they get baptised there is accelerated growth in their Christian life and a deepening of their relationship with God.
A Declaration & a New Family
Baptism is not just a personal thing, which is why most baptisms don’t take place in private, but are done publicly with our church family and friends. It is an opportunity for us to nail our colours to the mast, to declare what Jesus has done for us, and publicly declare our intention and commitment to follow him for the rest of our lives.
And when we are baptised we are baptised into God’s family,[vii] we become part of God’s worldwide family of believers.
Who Should Get Baptised
Baptism is for everyone who has come to faith in Christ.[viii] If you have said sorry for the wrong things that you have done, asked God to forgive you, and committed to live the rest of your life in relationship with Him then baptism is for you.
If you were baptised (christened) as a baby it may be appropriate for you to be baptised again now that you have made the choice to follow Jesus for yourself. It would certainly be worth talking to one of your church leaders about it.
Reference:
[i] Matthew 3:13-16
[ii] John 3:22-23, 4:1-3
[iii] Acts 2:37-41
[iv] Acts 22:16
[v] Romans 6:3-4
[vi] John 3:13-4:25
[vii] 1 Corinthians 12:12-13
[viii] Acts 8:36-37]
New Community Baptism Preparation
Before getting baptised we ask all individuals to meet with a mature Christian who is a committed member of New Community Church. This could be your cell group leader, someone on your congregation’s leadership team, or a friend who you respect as a mature and passionate Christian.
This guide leads you through the things you need to think about when you meet up. Give yourselves plenty of time to think about and discuss the key questions below, before moving on to look at the practicalities of the day.
Key Questions For the Person to Be Baptised:
“How did you come to know Jesus?”
“When and how did you make a commitment to follow him for the rest of your life?”
“What is baptism?” – see leaflet What is Baptism 1.0.doc
“What do you think baptism will do for you?”
“What is God’s part in this baptism?” – think about how God is involved in your baptism.
PRACTICALITIES
Telling Your Story:
This is your chance to tell your story of how you came to know Jesus and why you’re getting baptized. It’s one of the most exciting parts of baptism for those watching as they get to hear what God has done in your life. You’ll need to keep it to a maximum of about 3 minutes, so think carefully about what you want to say and write it down.
If you’re happy just telling your story from the notes you’ve written then go ahead and do that. However if you’d find it easier to be asked some questions by the host then write down the questions you’d like to be asked and let the host have them before the meeting.
If you get stuck at any stage the host will be there with you to help you through
Choosing Your Baptisers:
You need to choose two people to baptise you. They will both need to be Christians who are going on with God.
The Baptism:
Both your baptisers will join you in the baptism pool. Once in the pool make sure you stand as close to the steps as you can so that you don’t knock your head on the end when you are baptised (there’s plenty of room for even the tallest person if you stand near the steps).
Just before being immersed your baptisers will lead you through the following declaration:
Baptiser: [Person’s Name], do you confess Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour?
Person: Yes I do.
Baptiser: [Person’s Name], we baptise you in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit
If they would like to Baptiser 1 could ask the first question, and Baptiser 2 could make the declaration after you have said “Yes, I do.” The host will hold the microphone.
Other Things You Need to Know:
· Bring two towels, the first gets very wet. It is good to have a dry one when changing
· Come in what you are going to get wet in, remember stuff can go see-through when wet, so choose your clothes wisely!
· Remember everything gets wet, you’ll need a complete change of all your clothes.