Water Baptism Service

Please make contact with the Church Office if you would like to be baptised.  Please email office@sturtstreet.com – we would love to hear from you.

 

Why be Baptised?

Because you want to follow Christ’s example. Jesus himself was baptised. He was not a sinner, yet he humbled himself in obedience to identify with us and give us an example to follow. “At that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptised by John in the Jordan.” Mark 1:9

Because Christ commanded it. Water baptism is an act of faith and obedience to the commands of Christ. “If you love me, you will obey what I command.” (John 14:15; James 2:17-18)

Because it shows you are a believer. Baptism declares that you are a follower of Jesus Christ. It is a public confession of your faith in, and commitment to, Jesus Christ. It is the next step after salvation through repentance and faith and is an important foundation for the Christian life (Hebrews 6:1-2).

How are we to be Baptised?

As Jesus was baptised – by being immersed in water.  The word “baptise” comes from the Greek word baptizo which means “to immerse or dip under water”.

    “As soon as Jesus was baptised, he went up out of the water.” Matthew 3:16

Every baptism in the Bible was by immersion under water.  The book of Acts shows us that this was the norm for every believer.  For example, “both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and Philip baptised him. When they came up out of the water…” Acts 8:38-39

 

Who should be Baptised?

Every person who has made the decision to believe in Christ. When Paul writes to the believers in Rome, he assumes that all of them have been baptised (Romans 6). The one requirement for baptism is belief in Christ!  We do not baptise children until they are old enough to understand and believe.

“Those who accepted his message were baptised…” Acts 2:41
“But when they believed Philip as he preached the good news of the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptised, both men and women.”Acts 8:12

The Meaning oh Baptism

Baptism is a visible act with a spiritual meaning. It is a symbol of Christ’s burial and resurrection. Our entrance into the water during baptism identifies us with Christ’s death on the cross, His burial in the tomb, and His resurrection from the dead.

    “…Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures.” 1 Corinthians 15:3,4

    “…having been buried with him in baptism and raised with him through your faith in the power of God, who raised him from the dead.” Colossians 2:12

It is a symbol of your new life as a Christian. We bury the ‘old life’ and we rise to walk in a ‘new life’. Baptism is like a wedding ring – it is the outward symbol of the commitment you made in your heart, a commitment that has to be followed through and lived out on a daily basis.

    “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” 2 Corinthians 5:17
    “We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.” Romans 6:4

Baptism does not make you a believer; it shows that you already are one! Baptism does not ‘save’ you; only your faith in Christ does that.

    “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast.”Ephesians 2:8,9

In baptism, the believer has the triune name of the triune God placed upon them, ‘Father’, ‘Son’ & ‘Holy Spirit’. The name of the Lord Jesus Christ is the name of the Godhead (one God in three persons). The Gospels tell us to baptise believers “…into the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 28:19). Baptism confirms our position ‘in Christ’ and affirms the blessings of the Father on us as his children.

Baptism also connects us to the ‘body of Christ’, his people in the earth. In baptism there is a real sense of being joined with other believers, not just participating in an individual act of our own spiritual journey.

“…For we were all baptised by one Spirit into one body.” 1 Corinthians 12:12-13

 

When are we to be Baptised?

As soon as you have believed! You shouldn’t delay. Believers in the New Testament were baptised the same day. As soon as a person decides to believe in Christ, he can and should be baptised.
“Those who accepted his message were baptised…” Acts 2:41
“Then Philip began with that very passage of Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus. As they travelled along the road, they came to some water and the eunuch said, “Look, here is water. Why shouldn’t I be baptised?” And he gave orders to stop the chariot. Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and Philip baptised him.” Acts 8:35-39

What about being Baptised Twice?

We recommend that you be baptised again if you have not been baptised by immersion since you became a believer. It doesn’t devalue a prior experience but simply reflects your desire to be baptised in the same way Jesus was baptised.

Can a family be Baptised together?

Yes! If each family member fully understands the meaning of baptism, and each one has personally placed his/her trust in Christ for salvation, we encourage families to be baptised together.

Will I have to say anything?

The pastor will introduce you and will give you an opportunity to tell a bit of your story of how you came to this decision to be baptised.  This may be done via video clip too!  You will be briefly prayed for and then lowered just under the water. You will then leave the water to get changed and watch the others being baptised.

How it all works Baptism

Baptisms are conducted usually at the church. It may be scheduled during a Celebration meeting or after the service as a special event.  Look out for advertisements on Water Baptism.  Just prior to the baptisms the pastor will explain the meaning of baptism and show you how you will be baptised. It is important that you arrive on time to be present for the pre-baptism instructions.

What should I bring?

• Bathers, plain t-shirt and long pants or shorts
• Towel and a plastic bag for your wet clothes
• Hairbrush/comb and hair dryer (if desired)
• We encourage women to wear bathers with pants or shorts and a top over the bathers