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Why be Baptised? |
 Once you have taken Jesus Christ into your life and fully embraced his teachings, your next step is to be baptised. |
| Jesus set an example The command of Jesus is reinforced by his own example in being baptised himself. Despite John the Baptist's protestation, Jesus insisted on being baptised. Jesus said, "Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfil all righteousness". Jesus did not agree to be baptised with a view to washing his sins away. Rather in Baptism he took his first step to the cross by identifying himself with us in our sinfulness. Declaring a union with Christ Baptism is a dramatic way of declaring your solidarity with Jesus. The only thing needed is a large quantity of water! Even today in warmer climates people are baptised in rivers, lakes and ponds. Although, in Britain it is more common for a baptistry to be used. Spectators at a baptism are asked to imagine that the water is a watery grave. So when you are submerged under water, you will identify with Jesus who died and was buried, for a split second you will disappear, like Jesus, off the face of the earth. In most Baptist churches as you are baptised you will be taken backwards into the horizontal position of a coffin. Then, like Christ, you will symbolically rise from the dead. Paul (Romans 6:4), describes the newly baptised as rising to live a new life. As you go under the water, you will be declaring your resolve to die to your old way of living, and as you rise from the water your resolve to follow Christ's example. Questions people ask...What if I were baptised as a child?Many people who turn to Christ have already been baptised as a small child. If this applies to you, be baptised again as a believer. Baptists believe that baptism without faith is not the baptism of the Bible. What if I have been confirmed? If at your confirmation service you meaningfully confirmed the promise made on your behalf by your godparents, then some Baptist churches will welcome you on your profession of faith. However the same argument still applies. The New Testament knows only one baptism the one baptism in which by faith Jesus is confessed as Lord. How old do I have to be to be baptised? Baptists practise believer's baptism not adult baptism, for this reason Baptists have avoided trying to set a minimum age. What about the laying on of hands? Many Baptist churches are bringing back the old Baptist practice of accompanying baptism with the laying on of hands. This custom has its roots in the New Testament, where we find the apostles laid hands on their new converts to pass on the gift of the Holy Spirit. |
Want to learn more about Jesus?Two thousand years after he walked the earth, Jesus of Nazareth remains one of those most talked-about and influential people who has ever lived. Find out who he was, what he said and what he did at www.rejesus.co.uk. |
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Other local sites... Christ Church, DartfordLarge, friendly church in West Dartford. St Mary's, Greenhithe Dynamic, growing church in Greenhithe, Kent. Tim Parsons Computer Services, Gillingham Qualified computer engineer at your service. Florida Dream Villa Luxury villa available for rent in Orlando, owned by a Dartford family. Kent & the Wider World Educating for justice and sustainable development. |
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