LIKE A WEDDING RING BAPTISM IS AN OUTWARD SYMBOL OF AN INWARD COMMITMENT.

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2 LIKE A WEDDING RING BAPTISM IS AN OUTWARD SYMBOL OF AN INWARD COMMITMENT. People are baptized after they make a life-long commitment to be followers of Jesus. Baptism identifies them with Jesus and the community of believers. BAPTISM IN SCRIPTURE Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing 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. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age. Matthew 28:19-20 (see also: Romans 6:1-11) BAPTISM IN CHURCH HISTORY Following the example set by Jesus, the disciples and the early Church practiced full immersion in water (baptism) to demonstrate one s identification with Jesus Christ and the Church. Baptism symbolized rebirth, choosing to identify with the death, burial, and resurrection in Christ. When we receive forgiveness of our sins, the Bible says we are reborn, a new creation. Adult believers are baptized as followers of Jesus after a confession of their faith. BAPTISM TODAY Followers of Jesus today practice baptism as a way of identifying and declaring that Jesus Christ is Savior and Lord. Adults and young people are baptized when they are old enough to make their own commitment to following Jesus. Thousands of Christ followers are baptized every year, making a public profession of faith in Jesus. At newlife church, we practice full immersion water baptism of believers to follow the example of Jesus. At newlife infants are dedicated by parents, not baptized. FOUR PURPOSES OF BAPTISM 1. TO RECOGNIZE YOUR NEED FOR REPENTANCE Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Acts 2:38 (see also: 2 Cor. 7:10-11, Colossians 2:12) 2. TO ACCEPT SALVATION AS A FREE GIFT OF GRACE BY FAITH 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 no one may boast. Ephesians 2: TO IDENTIFY WITH JESUS CHRIST AND THE CHURCH So it is with the body of Christ [The Church]. We were all baptized by one Spirit into one body whether Jew or Greek, slave or free-and we were all given one Spirit to drink. 1 Corinthians 12:12-13 (see also: Colossians 2:13) 4. DECLARATING THE LORDSHIP OF JESUS CHRIST Jesus said, I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. John 14:6 (see also: Luke 13:23-24)

3 THREE QUALITIES OF A PERSON WHO NEEDS TO BE BAPTIZED 1. THEY HAVE REPENTED OF THEIR SINS But I tell you, Jesus said, Unless you repent, you too will perish. Luke 13:5 2. THEY HAVE TRUSTED JESUS FOR THE FORGIVENESS OF THEIR SINS By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. For what I received I pass on to you as first importance, that Christ died for our sins according to scripture, he was buried, he was raised to life on the third day according to scripture, and he appeared to Peter and then to the twelve. 1 Corinthians 15:4 3. THEY HAVE PERSONALLY DECIDED TO FOLLOW JESUS FOR THE REST OF THEIR LIVES Each individual should evaluate and decide if the have made an authentic decision to follow Jesus motivated by desire for God. FOUR REASONS WE NEED TO BE BAPTIZED 1. TO FOLLOW THE EXAMPLE SET BY JESUS HIMSELF Jesus came from Nazareth and was baptized by John in the Jordan River. Mark 1:9 2. TO OBEY THE COMMANDMENT JESUS TAUGHT Then Jesus came to them and said, All authority in heaven and on 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. Matthew 28:18-20 (see also: Acts 2:38) 3. TO IDENTIFY OURSELVED AS FOLLOWERS OF JESUS When they believed Phillip, as he preached the good news of the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. Acts 8:12 4. TO IDENTIFY OURSELVES AS PART OF THE CHURCH So it is with the body of Christ [The Church]. We were all baptized by one Spirit into one body whether Jew or Greek, slave or free-and we were all given one Spirit to drink. 1 Corinthians 12:12-13 TWO REASONS WE ARE NOT BAPTIZED 1. BAPTISM DOES NOT SAVE US Jesus does. Followers of Jesus are baptized to show that they are saved by grace, not in order to get saved. Baptism is a symbol of the work Christ has already done. 2. BAPTISM DOES NOT EARN A SPECIAL PLACE IN THE CHURCH All followers of Jesus are important to God. God has no favorites. All have gifts and abilities and are ministers of the Gospel and missionaries to the world.

4 TWO REASONS TO BE BAPTIZED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE 1. TO FOLLOW THE EXAMPLES SHOWN IN SCRIPTURE With many other words Peter warned them and pleaded with them, Save yourselves from this corrupt generation. Those who accepted his message were baptized and about three thousand were added to their number that day. Acts 2:40-41 Then Phillip began with that vary passage of scripture and told him the good news of the gospel. As they traveled along the road, they came to some water and the Ethiopian said, Look, here is some water. Why shouldn t I be baptized? And he gave orders to stop the chariot. Then Phillip and the Ethiopian went down into the water and Philip baptized him. Acts 8: TO NOT DELAY OUR OBEDIENCE TO JESUS CHRIST Anyone who knows the good he ought to do and does not do it, sins. James 4:17 TWO REASONS FOR FULL IMMERSION BAPTISM 1. THE GREEK WORD FROM THE BIBLE IS BAPTIZO. The literal meaning of the Greek word baptizo is to dip under water. The Greek word for sprinkle and pour both existed, but were not used to describe baptism. 2. TO FOLLOW THE EXAMPLES SHOWN IN SCRIPTURE None of the examples from scripture show individuals being sprinkled or having water poured over them. Every baptism account shows people being submerged under water, and raised from the water. As soon as Jesus was baptized he went up out of the water. Matthew 3:16 ANYWHERE THERE IS ENOUGH WATER TO BE SUBMERGED EXAMPLES: AT THE RIVER, LAKE, BAY, OCEAN, POOL, OR HOT TUB There are many examples of Christ followers being baptized outdoors and in other places than the temple. THE KIND OF WATER IS NOT THE DETERMINING FACTOR. WATER IS NOT MAGIC WHAT CLEANSES A PERSON OF THEIR SIN Although people in Jesus day practiced ceremonial washing, water is not what washes a person s sins away. We are made clean by the blood of Jesus. Christ s sacrifice is what allows us to stand before God.

5 1. SOMEONE WHO IS A MINISTER Every committed follower of Jesus is a minister. For you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. 1 Peter 2:9 2. SOMEONE WHO HELPED YOU COME TO JESUS They spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all the others in his house. At that hour of the night, the jailer took them and washed their wounds, then he and all his family were baptized. Acts 16: SOMEONE WHO TOLD YOU ABOUT BAPTISM One of those listening was a woman named Lydia. The Lord opened her heart to respond to Paul s message. When she and the members of her household were baptized, she invited us to her home. Acts 16: SOMEONE WHO WILL HELP YOU CONTINUE IN YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH JESUS Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their home and ate together with glad and sincere hearts praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. Acts 2:46 1. READ THE BIBLE WITH THE PERSON TO BE BAPTIZED. Read some passages of scripture about baptism and make sure the person being baptized has a clear understanding of what baptism means and does not mean. Feel free to use this packet as a resource. 2. ASK THE PERSON PREPARING TO BE BAPTIZED IF THEY ARE READY TO MAKE A PUBLIC DECLARATION OF THEIR FATIH Are you ready to let other people know you are a follower of Jesus? Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven. But whoever disowns me before men, I will disown before my Father in heaven. Matthew 10: ASK THE PERSON BEING BAPTIZED TO WRITE THEIR STORY OUT SO THEY CAN SHARE IT AT THE BAPTISM Each person being baptized should be prepared to give an answer to the reason they are deciding to be baptized as a follower of Jesus Christ. You can use the questions in this packet to help them write their story. 4. PRAY WITH THE PERSON BEING BAPTIZED FOR COURAGE People who are preparing to make their first public profession of their faith can sometimes feel nervous for a variety of reasons. Jesus said, Do not fear.

6 1. WRITE OUT YOUR STORY & SUBMIT A COPY TO NEWLIFE After your have written your story, you will have an opportunity to share part or all of it on video. You can tell your story or read your story. You can have yourself or someone else read what you have written. Submit your story by to baptism@newlifekitsap.com. 2. PRAY FOR COURAGE & CLARITY WITH FAMILY & FRIENDS You will have an opportunity to gather for prayer briefly with friends and family before you are baptized. You will also have a moment to declare yourself a follower of Jesus Christ. Please invite people you want to be there to pray and to celebrate the day. 3. INVITE FRIENDS AND FAMILY TO COME CELEBRATE Please invite friends and family to join you on this very special day of your new life in Jesus Christ. Tell friends and family doors to the pool will open to those who are not being baptized or baptizing. Space will be limited, so please ask friends and family to be gracious and ready to move around for a good view during your baptism. FOR THE BAPTIZER 1. HOST A GROUP OF NEW FOLLOWERS OF JESUS Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another Hebrews 10:25 2. LEAD A TEAM OF NEW SERVANTS ON A PROJECT OR EVENT Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many. Matthew 20: GET TOGETHER 1-ON-1 TO READ THE BIBLE WITH PEOPLE They devoted themselves to the apostles teaching, and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Acts 2:42 4. TRAIN ANOTHER PERSON 1-ON-1 TO SHARE THEIR STORY They overcame the evil one by the blood of Jesus and the power of their testimony, they did not love their lives so much as to shrink back from death. Rev. 12:11 FOR THE BAPTIZED 1. GROW WEEKLY IN A GROUP THROUGH ENCOURAGEMENT

7 Becoming like Jesus with a group of friends is an important way to stay connected and growing in your relationship with Jesus and the Church. 2. SERVE REGULARLY WITH A TEAM OF CHRIST FOLLOWERS Finding your place to serve other people together with other servants is a big part of being on the mission with Jesus. Jesus came to serve. 3. READ DAILY THE TEACHINGS OF JESUS AND PRAY Taking time to read the bible, reflect, and ask God to help you apply Jesus teachings to your life will be a constant sources of growth. 4. TEACH OR TELL SOMEONE ELSE WHAT YOU ARE LEARNING Sharing your story with other people is one of the ways Jesus uses us to help others know that God is powerful and about to save, provide, redeem, and rebuilt our lives for His purposes and his glory. WRITE THE STORY OF HOW YOU BECAME A FOLLOWER OF JESUS 1. TELL HOW YOU BECAME INTERESTED IN JESUS Share what your life was like before you decided to become a follower of Jesus. Explain the circumstances that led to your interest in Jesus. 2. TELL WHO WAS INVOLVED HELPING YOU TO KNOW JESUS Share who was involved in helping you understand God s love for you. Explain how you came to understand your need to respond to God s offer of forgiveness of sin and assurance of eternal life. 3. TELL WHEN YOU KNEW YOU NEEDED JESUS TO SAVE YOU Share how you know that your sin or sinful nature led you to a point of repentance, the point were you asked God to forgive you and change you. If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. 2 Corinthians 5:17 4. TELL WHERE YOU WERE WHEN YOU DECIDED TO GIVE CONTROL OF YOUR LIFE TO JESUS Share why you are willing to submit your life to Jesus and his teaching. Explain why you desire to obey Jesus instruction about baptism as a follower. Explain your desire to identify yourself with God s people. 5. TELL HOW LIFE HAS CHANGED SINCE YOU DECIDED TO GIVE CONTROL OF YOUR LIFE TO JESUS Share how your life is different since your decision to obey Jesus and His teachings. Explain how other followers of Jesus have been an encouragement to you. Explain why anyone else might want to make the decision to follow Jesus as you have done.

8 Representatives from Newlife wish to photograph, videotape, and/or interview individuals who are baptized. In order to release and use photos, audio/video footage and/or comments from you, we ask for your written permission. To give consent, please sign below. By signing below, I, give my consent for Newlife to use communications from and photos, videos, or audio of the below-named person. I understand that the video, images or voice recordings may be used in various media, including but not limited to, videos, newsletters, and on the Internet. This consent is continuing in nature and will remain in effect unless later revoked. Date: Name of Person being baptized: Participant s Signature: Parent s Signature (if under 18):