Baptism Preparation Packet 187 Crosswicks-Chesterfield Road Chesterfield, NJ 08515 Phone: 609-298-1491 Fax: 609-234-1554 info@shadyrestchurch.org www.shadyrestchurch.org
Dear Friend, Your are about to take one of the most important steps in your life and we here at Shadyrest Bible Church rejoice and celebrate with you. The materials enclosed in this packet will help you in preparation for this next step in your spiritual journey. I would encourage you to make full use of the information provided and jot down any questions you may wish to ask. This packet serves as a way for you to become acquainted with our theology about baptism and to provide some basic instructions about the baptism process. Please complete page 5, the "Application for Baptism" and page 6 Guidelines for Baptism Testimony if you desire to provide a testimony during the baptism service. Please return these items to me prior to the Baptism Preparation Class if possible. Upon the completion of the Baptism Preparation Class, the believer desiring baptism will be interviewed by the Pastor and/or members of the Deacon Board for their approval to be baptized. Finally, a service of baptism will be scheduled around the availability of the candidates to the extent that we are able. In most cases it will be on a Sunday morning. I look forward to hearing from you soon. Any please let me know if you have any questions. In His Service, Pastor Adrian Pina [1]
ANSWERING YOUR QUESTIONS ABOUT BAPTISM Study this sheet to prepare your heart and mind for your baptism. 1. What does the word "Baptize" mean? It means to plunge, to immerse. At Shadyrest Bible Church, we baptize by immersion; that is, the entire body is immersed in water. We realize that other groups baptize by pouring or sprinkling, but we do not. Every church including those who baptize other ways - will recognize baptism by immersion. 2. Who should be baptized? Only those who have trusted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. Note (Acts 2:41); first they received the Word, then they were baptized. Also, see (Acts 8:12, 35-39), as well as (Acts 10:44-48). This is the New Testament pattern. 3. Why should a believer be baptized? Because it is a commandment of the Lord Jesus Christ. "Go ye therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit." (Matthew 28:19). If a new Christian disobeyed this simple command of Christ at the beginning of his Christian life, he is not likely to be obedient to His other commands. 4. Does baptism have anything to do with salvation? In the Book of Acts, nobody was baptized to be saved, but all were baptized because they had been saved. Read (Acts 9:18; 10:44-48; 16:14-15; 20-34, and 18:8). (1 Peter3:20-22), makes it clear that baptism does not save us by washing away our sins, for only the blood of Jesus Christ can do that. But obedience in baptism does save us from a guilty conscience, because we know we have obeyed Christ's command. 5. Are there verses in the Bible that connect baptism with salvation. There are verses which state: "Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into His death?" (Romans 6:3), and "For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ" (Galatians 3:27). A distinction must be made between water baptism and the baptism of the Holy Spirit. When you accept Christ as your Lord and Savior, the Holy Spirit enters into your body to make it a temple of God (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). No amount of water applied externally can put a person "into Jesus Christ." Only the Holy Spirit can do this. The "baptism of the Holy Spirit" occurs the instant you are saved through faith in Christ, and it is the baptism that make you a part of His Body. 6. Who has the authority to Baptize? Jesus Christ gave His commission to the disciples (Matthew 28:19-20); so, the authority to baptize rests with the local church. While any believer can be authorized by the local church to baptize people, this is usually done by the pastor of the church. [2]
7. Is baptism required for church membership? Yes, at Shadyrest Bible Church. We encourage baptism because it is the Lord's command. Our constitution states that to be a member of Shadyrest Bible Church you must be a born again baptized believer. 8. What does baptism actually picture? Since the believer is totally immersed in water, the action becomes a picture of death, burial and resurrection. The old life is symbolically buried, and we are raised to "walk in newness of life" (Romans 6:3-4). When our Lord Jesus was baptized by John in the Jordan River, he said, " for in this way it is fitting for us (the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit) to fulfill the righteousness." (Matthew 3:15). God "fulfilled all righteousness" through the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ, pictured in His baptism. Christ's baptism in water in the Jordan River was a picture of His "baptism of suffering" on the cross where He died for our sins (Luke 12:50). Our baptism in water is a picture of inner spiritual experience. We have had the old life buried with Christ and we are raised to live in resurrection power (Colossians 2:12-15). 9. How many times should a person be baptized? Only once. We meet at the Lord's Supper repeatedly to remember His broken body and shed blood; but we were baptized only once, since we are saved only once. If a Christian falls out of fellowship with the Lord because of sin, he can confess his sins and be forgiven (1 John 1:5-10); but it is not necessary to be baptized again. Water baptism is a once-for-all public testimony and identification in death, burial, and resurrection. It is not a religious ceremony that washes away our sin. 10. What if a person was baptized before he was saved? Then they were not really "baptized" - they were merely dipped in water. Baptism takes on a new meaning for the believer because he or she knows this was done in obedience to God's command. Anyone who has been "baptized" prior to conversion should be baptized as the Scriptures command. This is the way to maintain a good conscience before God. If you have any additional questions about believer's baptism, we will be happy to answer them for you. Write down your questions and bring them with you to your baptismal preparation class. Or, you may contact the church office at (609) 298-1491 or by email at info@shadyrestchurch.org. Or write to: Shadyrest Bible Church, 187 Crosswicks-Chesterfield Road, Chesterfield, NJ 08515. [3]
1. Time of Baptism: INSTRUCTIONS FOR BAPTISM CANDIDATES A. During the 10:45AM morning worship service. The dates of scheduled baptisms are announced in the church bulletin or you can call the church office for information on the next baptism. In unique situations we can arrange for a baptism during our scheduled 6:00PM service. B. Candidates should arrive at least 30 minutes before the scheduled service. We will have attendants to assist you. C. Come to the Pastor's office upon your arrival at the church. 2. Baptism Attire: A. Come in your regular church clothes, which you will change in the dressing room. B. You may prefer to wear socks for hygienic reasons and safety. C. A change of under-garments should be brought to replace wet clothing after baptism. D. Women: please wear a solid colored blouse and long slacks. Men: please wear a solid color shirt, preferably white or light in color, along with long slacks. Slacks should be of the washable type. 3. What to bring with you: A. A large bath towel. B. A folded, white handkerchief, which will be used to cover nose and mouth during baptism. C. Necessary toiletries, for grooming utensils, etc. 4. To be spoken by the candidate: A. Select a meaningful Scripture verse to quote to the church before you are immersed. You may write the verse on a card and read it. B. Giving a brief testimony can be very meaningful, but is not required, and time may not allow for it. [4]
Application for Baptism Please print Full name as you would like it to appear on your certificate Date of Birth Street Address City/Zip Home Phone (include area code) Cell Phone (include area code) Email Address: 1. Explain what brought you to the point of a serious decision to follow Christ in baptism? Optional: I am willing to provide a testimony during the baptism service. Yes or No (If yes, please complete the attached Guidelines for Baptism Testimony form.) For Office Use Only: Date of Interview: Deacon: Deacon: Date of Certificate Issued: Please give this completed form to the pastor or one of our deacons. Thank you! [5]
Guidelines for Baptism Testimony How was God using the circumstances in your life to draw you to Christ? When and where did you come to the decision to accept Christ as your personal Savior? Were there any key people involved in helping you make the decision to accept Christ? What are 2 or more changes in your life as a result of knowing Jesus Christ? [6]
My Notes [7]