BELIEVER'S BAPTISM
Going into the water is a public declaration of dying to self, and coming out, is being raised to new life in Christ.
A baptism service is a significant occasion in the life of a Christian and the Church. But what is baptism and why do people get baptized?
- What is baptism?
- Why get baptized?
- How does baptism happen?
WHAT IS BAPTISM?
Baptism is a very special moment on the journey of faith. It is a moment when God's presence and blessing meets us, and it is a moment when we make our personal commitment of faith in Jesus as Lord .
Normally baptism takes place by full immersion in water as part of a public act of worship. It signifies the end of our old life and of being born again to new life in Christ. It speaks of repentance and cleansing, of being united with Christ in his death and resurrection, and of witnessing to the call of God upon our lives. As the apostle Paul says, '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: 3-4)
Baptism is also about receiving God's spirit for service in the Church and in the world. It is often accompanied by the laying on of hands as a sign of commissioning, and by being received into membership of the church.
We affirm baptism as a moment when we receive God's gift and respond in faith.
Those who are too young to make their own response of commitment to Christian discipleship, get parents to make promises on their behalf that are later 'confirmed' by the person themselves when they are of an age to do so.
There are many reasons why believers desire to be baptized.
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Jesus set an example: Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist (Mathew 3:13-17; Mark 1:9-11; Luke 3:21-22). Therefore, to be baptized is to be obedient to the path set out by Jesus. Jesus commands us: In the Great Commission (Mathew 28: 18-20) Jesus says, 'All authority in heaven and earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing 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' |
There are other examples of baptism throughout the book of Acts, which suggests believer's baptism was an integral part of early church life. To be baptized is a way of opening ourselves to God's blessing and of expressing our commitment to live as Disciples of Christ.
When a person decides to be baptized, they will normally have a period of preparation, during which the church (usually in the person of the minister) will help them understand more about the Christian faith and the meaning of baptism. This usually takes place in the weeks before baptism.
A baptism in the COP is always by full immersion. Many churches have baptismal pools in the church, often hidden under the floor with steps going down into it. Before the baptismal service, the pool is uncovered and filled with water. Churches that do not have a baptismal pool hire an inflatable pool, or use a local swimming pool, or even a river or the sea if close by.
At the ceremony itself, the one being baptized will often give testimony on how they became a Christian and why they have chosen to be baptized. Then, immediately before baptism, they will be asked basic questions of commitment, including an acknowledgement of Jesus as Lord and Savior.
A minister normally baptizes. He will hold the person being baptized, placing one hand on their back and the other on their chest. They will then say the words, 'I baptize you in the name of the Father, of the Son and of the Holy Spirit' , and plunge the person being baptized backwards so that they are fully immersed in the water, before raising them back up to standing position. They then leave the water.
The person baptized will often be welcomed into church membership at the next communion service.
DEDICATION OF CHILDREN
Why Dedicate And Not Baptize?
Children are a gift from God. The bible in the book of Psalms 127:3 proclaims that " Sons are a heritage from the Lord, children a reward from Him." As believers, we are called to recognize that children belong first and foremost to God. God in His goodness gives children as gifts to parents. They not only have the responsibility of caring for these gifts, but they also have the wonderful privilege of enjoying them. Because children belong to God and are given by grace as gifts to parents, it is only proper and appropriate that children be dedicated back to Him.
Why "dedicate" and not baptize? The Bible calls for every person who has believed in Christ to be baptized. "...those who believed and accepted his message were baptized" (Acts 2:41)"
The one requirement for baptism is belief in Christ. Therefore, the church does not baptize children until they are old enough to understand and believe. Until that time, we dedicate these wonderful gifts back to the Lord.
Our beliefs : What the Church believes in as her core values. This includes a declaration of Principle and Purpose Statement.
Believer's baptism : What is it and why people should be baptized.
Prayer & Worship : Concept of prayer and why we worship.
The Pentecost family : what is this family of believers?
The theme of the year : Scripture to meditate on throughout the year.
Church structure: How the Church is run. Includes, Trustees, Council, COPF ministries & their administrators, Pastoral Staff, oversight committees etc.
History: An account of the naissance and growth of the COP in France .
Pastoral staff : Personal perspective.
Volunteer appreciation : paying homage to volunteer workers in mission work.