What is Baptism?
Baptism is a believer visibly showing the world and their community that they actively participate in the body of Christ. It is the physical symbol of a person dying to themselves, as they go down in the water, and being alive in Christ, as they come up out of the water (Romans 6:1-11).
“Baptism is given to focus the believer and community away from themselves outwards towards God, one another, and the world.” Tom Greggs
Baptism for Baptists?
Baptism is effectively initiation into the body of Christ. It is the recognition to the people of God of what the Spirit has already done. For the new believer, they are taking on the life of the body of Christ. For the rest of the community, they are receiving a beloved child of God into their family. Baptism marks the membership of the new believer. Baptists would use the same language. The first Baptist church was formed in 1609 by the leaders (John Smyth and Thomas Helwys) baptising themselves and then others. Baptism for Baptists is the right of passage into membership of the church. Regardless of the language your church tradition uses, baptism is a sign of the new believer saying this church is my life now.
What Happens when I decide to be Baptised?
If you decide that baptism is for you talk to one of the Pastors or Elders. We will then arrange a time to meet in a casual setting to discuss what baptism means to you.
After this we will arrange a date to have a baptism service where the whole church is invited to participate, as well as any friends or family you would like to invite.
There is no limits on where you can be baptised apart from the fact that we do full immesion dunking so the water has to be deep enough.
Usually before someone is baptised they would share a testimony, which is your story of faith and doesn’t have to be long.
When you go down into the water two people will go in with you (Usually a Pastor/Elder and one other). They will ask you some questions as a declaration of faith before baptising you in the name of the God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
Explore Further
If you would like to talk to someone further about baptism talk to one of our Pastors or Elders:
Interim Pastor: Jeff Whittaker
Youth Pastor: Caleb Nicolson
Elders: Sue Edwards, David Cane, Keith Le Roi, Alison McBride