Baptism Preparation Packet

Baptism Preparation Packet

P a g e 2 1635 North LaSalle Chicago, IL 60614 Dear Friend, You are about to take one of the most important steps in your life and we here at The Moody Church rejoice and celebrate with you. The materials enclosed in this packet will help you begin to prepare for this very significant step in your life. I would encourage you to make full use of the Bible study and to jot down any questions you may wish to ask. The enclosed Spiritual Journey sheet provides a way for us to become acquainted with you and your spiritual walk before the Baptism Preparation Class. Please complete pages 7-8, the Application for Baptism, and return it to me prior to the class, if possible. Also, please remember to bring the Baptism Class Notes on page 6 with you to the Preparation Class. Finally, a baptism service will be scheduled around the availability of the candidates to the extent that we are able. In most cases it will be a Sunday morning I look forward to hearing from you soon. In His service, Pastor for Equipping Ministries and Young Adults SPM:ajl Attachments (4)

P a g e 3 ANSWERING YOUR QUESTIONS ABOUT BAPTISM Please study this sheet carefully to prepare your heart and mind for your own baptism. 1. What does the word "baptize" mean? It means "to plunge, to immerse." At Moody 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. See also Acts 8:12 and 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, NASB). 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 Peter 3:20-22 makes it clear that baptism does not save us by washing away our sins, for only the blood of 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 not 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 Christ Jesus 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 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 makes you a part of His Body. 6. Who has the authority to baptize? Jesus Christ gave His commission to the disciples (Matt. 28:19-20); so, the authority to baptize rests with the local church. While any believer can be authorized by a local church to baptize people, this is usually done by the pastor of the church.

P a g e 4 7. Is baptism required for church membership? Not at Moody Church. We encourage baptism because it is the Lord's command, and we want to be obedient to Christ. Our constitution reads: "We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ who is the Head over all the church (Eph. 1:22) commanded His people to observe two ordinances, neither of which is essential to salvation or to membership of this Church, but both of which are an evidence of obedience and fellowship with the Lord" (Article 2, Section VIII, Paragraph B). These two ordinances (commandments) are baptism and the Lord's Supper. 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 River Jordan, he said, "...for in this way it is fitting for us (the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit) to fulfill all righteousness" (Matt. 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 River Jordan 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 (Col. 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 are baptized only once, since we are saved only once. If a Christian gets 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 of our identification in death, burial, and resurrection. It is not a religious ceremony that washes away our sins. 10. What if a person was baptized before he was saved? Then he was not really "baptized" - he was merely dipped into water. Baptism takes on 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 further questions about believer's baptism, we will be happy to answer them for you. Bring your questions to your preparation class. Or, you may contact the church office at (312) 943-0466, or write Moody Church, 1635 North LaSalle, Chicago, IL 60614.

P a g e 5 1. Time of Baptism INSTRUCTIONS FOR BAPTISM CANDIDATES A. Can be during either the morning or the evening service on dates published in the bulletin. B. Candidates should arrive at least 30 minutes before the scheduled baptism time. There will be attendants there to assist you. C. Come to the back door of the offices as will be shown at orientation. 2. Attire for Baptism A. Come in your regular clothes, which you will change in the dressing areas. B. Some may prefer to wear socks for hygienic reasons. C. A change of under-garments should be brought to replace wet clothing after baptism. D. Women: A linen or terry-cloth baptismal robe is provided by the church. It is also recommended that a slip or a one-piece swim suit be worn under the baptism robe for modesty. E. Men: Men are permitted to wear a solid-color knit shirt (golf-shirt type), preferably white or light in color, along with long shorts, close to knee-length. Washable slacks may be worn instead of shorts if you prefer. 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, 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 bring the verse written out to read. B. Your giving of a brief testimony can be very meaningful also, but it is not required, and time may not always allow.

P a g e 6 BAPTISM CLASS NOTES (Bring with you to the Preparation Class) I. The Command of Jesus: A. Matthew 28 B. Romans 6:1-5 II. The Biblical Timeline

P a g e 7 Date: Date of Baptism MY SPIRITUAL JOURNEY An Application for Baptism Name (Please print exactly as you would like it to appear on your certificate) Date of Birth Address City / State / Zip Home Work Cell Phone: Phone: Phone: Email Address 1. What church backgrounds have influenced your life positively, negatively, or both? 2. Explain what brought you to the point of a) serious, committed conversion to Jesus Christ, and b) the decision to be baptized. a) b)

P a g e 8 3. Describe any changes that came into your life as the result of your submission to the gospel of Christ. 4. In your own words (not just quoting Scripture), simply explain what the Gospel of Jesus Christ is. 5. What Scriptures opened your own heart to the gospel? (Give the idea of the Scripture verses if you aren't able to locate them right now.) 6. How can a person know that they are accepted by God and that they will definitely be with Christ in Heaven after this life on earth? 7. What Scripture verse or verses have had special significance to you in your Christian life and walk, and in what way have they helped you?