Baptisms

Baptism is the outward declaration of an inward reality. It's a public statement that someone makes saying they are going to follow Jesus with there whole life.

If you would like to get baptised, please fill out our online form and we'll get back in touch to arrange a time where by we can meet with you and chat a bit more about the practicality of getting baptised.

Why be baptised?

Because Christ Himself set the example. (Matthew 3:13-17)
13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John.
14 But John tried to deter him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?”
15 Jesus replied, “Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.” Then John consented.
16 As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. 17 And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”’
Because Christ commanded His disciples to do this (Matthew 28:19)
’19 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,’
Because the New Testament church practiced it. (Acts 2:41; 8:12; 16:33)
‘41 Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.’
‘12 But when they believed Philip as he proclaimed the good news of the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.’
’33 At that hour of the night the jailer took them and washed their wounds; then immediately he and all his household were baptized.’

What does baptism mean?

It is a public confession of a personal faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. (Acts 8:36-37)
’36-37 As they traveled along the road, they came to some water and the eunuch said, “Look, here is water. What can stand in the way of my being baptized?”’
It is a symbol of the fact that our sins have been washed away in the blood of Christ. (Acts 22:16)
’16 And now what are you waiting for? Get up, be baptized and wash your sins away, calling on his name.’’
It is the symbol of the fact that we have “died” to our old, sinful way of life. (Romans 6:3)
‘3 Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death?’
It is a symbol of the fact that we have been raised with Christ to a new life of holiness. (Romans 6:4-5)
’4 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.
5 For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly also be united with him in a resurrection like his.’

Who may be baptised?

Only those who sincerely believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. (Acts 8:36-37)
’36-37 As they traveled along the road, they came to some water and the eunuch said, “Look, here is water. What can stand in the way of my being baptized?”’
Only those who have truly repented of their sin and turned in faith to Jesus Christ, receiving Him as their personal Saviour. (Acts 2:38)
’38 Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, 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.’
Only those who are sincerely willing to become disciples of Christ –that is, willing to obey His commandments and acknowledge that He is Lord of their lives. (Matthew 28:19-20)
’19 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, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”’

What follows baptism?

We should seek to live filled with the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38; Ephesians 5:18)
’38 Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, 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.’
’18 Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit,’
We must seek to live a life consistent with the profession we have made in Baptism – that is a life of personal obedience to God. (Romans 6:5-14; Galatians 5:16-26)
’5 For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly also be united with him in a resurrection like his. 6 For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with,[a] that we should no longer be slaves to sin— 7 because anyone who has died has been set free from sin.
8 Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. 9 For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, he cannot die again; death no longer has mastery over him. 10 The death he died, he died to sin once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God.
11 In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. 12 Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. 13 Do not offer any part of yourself to sin as an instrument of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer every part of yourself to him as an instrument of righteousness. 14 For sin shall no longer be your master, because you are not under the law, but under grace.’
16 So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever[a] you want. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.
19 The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20 idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.
We must take our place in the local church as a member of the Body of Christ, sharing in its worship, fellowship and witness. (Acts 2:42-47; Ephesians 4:1-6)
’The Fellowship of the Believers
42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. 46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.’
‘Unity and Maturity in the Body of Christ
4 As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. 2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. 3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.’