BAPTISM SERVICES

Baptist churches are sometimes known for the baptisms we don’t do: we don’t baptise babies.  (If you were wondering about having a child baptised, do have a look at our dedication services page).

We believe that baptism is for people who have decided to become followers of Jesus for themselves.  We get this idea from the New Testament, where baptism and personal faith are always found together.  This normally means that the folks who get baptised at CSBC are teenagers or adults.  Baptism services are joyful and encouraging occasions where people share stories from their own faith journeys and often experience God’s presence in a tangible way.

HOW DOES IT WORK?

We have a pool in the stage at the front of the church.  It’s filled with regular tap water and warmed up to a comfortable temperature.  Candidates share their personal faith stories and then we ask them a question:  What is your confession?   Their scripted answer is a twofold confession from early church times:

Jesus Christ is LORD (This is an acknowledgement that Jesus is boss of the universe)

Jesus Christ is my Lord (this is an acknowledgement that the candidate is placing Jesus in charge of their life)

Whoever is baptising (usually church members) will then dunk the candidates under the water before praying for them to be filled with the Holy Spirit.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN?

In the Baptist Church, people are totally immersed in water. This is symbolic:

- of washing – acknowledging that we are sinners and that we need God to cleanse us from sin.

- of the death of Jesus

- of dying to our old life

so that, as we rise up from the water, we are cleansed and, as Jesus rose to life, we rise to a new life in Jesus.

According to the New Testament, it’s not the physical washing that is effective in cleansing from sin, but the meeting of a conscience pledged to serve God and the spiritual power that comes from the death and resurrection of Jesus through faith.

Jesus commanded his followers to baptise people and the early church saw it as an act of obedience to God at the start of a life newly dedicated to following Jesus.

So baptism is a symbolic act of faith in Jesus’ death and resurrection, obedience to him, forgiveness of sin and of joining God’s people.   

CAN I GET BAPTISED AT CSBC?

If you have repented of your sins and believe that Jesus died and rose from death, and if you’re committed to following him, come and hang out with us and ask one of the elders about baptism.    We recommend that folks read Stephen Gaukroger’s short book, Being Baptised, which explains clearly the meaning and practicalities of baptism.  When there are a few folks around asking about baptism, we set a date for a service to see who else is feeling like it is their time.     

WHAT IF I CAN’T SWIM?

Don’t panic, the water is only 3 ½ feet deep and your face will only be submerged for a second or so.  We do encourage candidates to close their mouths and hold their noses!   Just occasionally where there might be a clear medical reason someone can’t get into the pool (for example if you are confined to a wheelchair) we might use a different method of baptism, pouring water over you.  

WHAT IF I AM SCARED OF SPEAKING IN PUBLIC?

This is often the biggest hurdle for folks to overcome, but don’t worry, we can help you prepare your testimony and there are simple steps that can be taken to make it easier:

·         Write out what you wish to say in full.

·         Edit to less than 3 minute’s worth.

·         Read it out loud to yourself

Have a copy of the full text there with you on the day.  Just occasionally folks are overcome by emotion when sharing & having a copy there means that a friend can finish off for you.

If you’ve got any questions about baptism, we’d be happy to help you answer them.  Do get in contact with our minister: tom:cs-bc.org.uk or any of the elders.