When you believe with your heart and confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord (Romans 10:9) you become a new creation in Christ. Your heart is washed clean by Jesus’ shed blood and your spirit is made alive by the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit resides in you and you have the ability to talk with God, hear His voice, and love and obey Him in this life until the day you meet Jesus in heaven forever.
03. It was instituted by God, for born again believers in Jesus Christ, to identify them as obedient followers of Jesus Christ. (Matt 28:19, Acts 2:38,41, Col 2:9-12)
04. It is separate from, and independent of, the salvation experience – which is a totally free gift of God and depends on no action on the part of the seeker, other than to express faith in Jesus Christ for forgiveness of sin, cleansing from its penalty, and the gift of eternal life. (Eph 2:8-9, Gal 3:26-27)
05. All born again believers in Jesus Christ are encouraged (expected) to participate in this once in a lifetime act of obedience. (Acts 2:36-41, Rom 6:1-11)
06. Only a person who has placed their trust in Jesus Christ is to be baptized. Baptism involves a conscious decision by the believer to be obedient to God’s command. (Acts 8:26-38, Acts 2:41)
Answer: To follow Christ’s example and obey His command in scripture
Jesus Himself did the will of His Father and chose to be baptized (Matthew 3: 13-17) and when we do the same, we identify with Jesus.
Christ’s example: 1 Peter 2: 21 – To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps
Christ’s command: Matthew 28: 18-20 – 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. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Acts 2: 37-41 – When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?”
Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.” With many other words he warned them; and he 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.
Answer: It’s the expression of faith, An act of obedience and commitment
Faith: (1 Corinthians 15: 1-4) In baptism you’re expressing your faith in Christ. You believe Jesus died for you. You believe He has saved you from your sins and all it consequences.
Obedience: (John 14: 15) By obeying Jesus’ command, you submitting to Him and recognizing His right to be Lord of your life.
Commitment: (Mark 8: 34) In baptism you’re testifying publicly before God, your fellow believers, and the whole world that you have made your choice to follow and be a disciple of Jesus.
Answer: As soon as possible after repenting of your sin and receiving Jesus as your Savior
Acts 2:41 – Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.
Acts 8:12 – But when they believed Philip as he preached good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.
In Acts 8, Phillip was instructed to approach the Ethiopian eunuch who was sitting in his chariot reading the book of Isaiah. When asked, the Ethiopian admitted to Philip that he did not understand it and asked Philip to explain it to him.
Acts 8: 35-28 – Then Philip began with that very passage of Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus.
As they traveled along the road, they came to some water and the eunuch said, “Look, here is water. Why shouldn’t I be baptized?” And he gave orders to stop the chariot. Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and Philip baptized him.
Answer: Those who believe and confess Jesus as Savior and Lord; those who repent of sin and turn to Jesus; those who want to publicly declare that they are disciples of Jesus
In Old Testament times, many wanted to follow, obey and be associated with esteemed prophet, priest and rabbis of the day. They would leave their families to study with, follow and model their lives after the rabbi. The rabbi would choose the best of the best from the “applicants” who wanted to follow him. Jesus says instead in John 15: 16 “It is not you who chose me, but I who chose you.” Jesus made the first move on the cross to choose us to be his disciples.
Answer: If you were sprinkled or immersed in water in the past, it is important to understand that you only need to be baptized once. If you trusted in Christ at that time, your baptism is real and does not need to be repeated. However, if the decision to be baptized was made for you by your parents or someone else because you were too young to make the decision on your own or you were baptized before you accepted Jesus as your Savior, we encourage you to make that decision for yourself and get baptized properly.
Answer: Immersion in water
The Greek word “baptizo” means to plunge, submerge or immerse in water. .
The representation of union in Christ’s death and resurrection is best expressed through immersion. The symbolism of burial is still that of being placed under or below something. Likewise, resurrection is accomplished by coming out of something (like the water). Our “old” self goes down into the water and our new identity in Christ is brought up as we come out of the water.
Colossians 2: 12 – Having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through your faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead.
Romans 6: 3-4 – Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.
Answer: Prepare yourself spiritually through prayer and by mediating on the scriptures and on Jesus’ love for you. Invite your family and friends. This is a significant moment in your life. Celebrate it! Optional: Consider sharing your testimony – the story of how you came to faith in Christ – with others via video. Don’t worry…our video people will walk you through it. Just breathe and answer the questions as honestly as you c
Answer: Bring shorts and a dark colored t-shirt to wear into the water (no bathing suits or white shirts). For outdoor baptisms, water shoes are recommended, but not required. Bring a towel. Have dry clothes to change into after the baptism. Consider asking a friend or family member to take pictures or video.
Answer: Yes! If each family member or friend understands fully what it means to be baptized, we encourage it! Each person who wants to be baptized should visit www.lifestylechurch.org, view the video, review this document and register. Just remember this is a personal statement of faith, not a family tradition.
Answer: Water Baptisms are usually done during the Friday Service- before the start of the service or at the close of the service, those who are being baptized will be called forward. A baptism team member will have a list of the names of those being baptized. Then follow the directions of the team member to enter the baptismal. Those baptizing you may ask a few questions and then they will say “I now baptize you in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit”. You will be tipped backwards just enough to cover your face and then brought back up immediately. At no time will they let go of you. Feel free to hold your nose with one hand if that will help you feel more comfortable. After that you can dry off, change clothes, and celebrate this great moment in your life as a disciple with your family, friends and the church!Please read through the following information to understand God’s plan for water baptism and to prepare for your water baptism
Sign up Mike Odaba or by contacting the church office at office@lifestylechurch.org.
Fill out the Water Baptism application and return it to the church office.
Read the following Bible verses in preparation for the class:
Mark 1: 1-11
Matthew 3: 11
Luke 12: 59-53
Romans 5: 1-3
Romans 6: 1-14
Galatians 3: 26-27
Colossians 2:9 – 3:17
1 Peter 3: 18-22
Attend the Water Baptism class schedule for your baptism. At least one parent should attend the class with those under age 18.
Arrive 15 minutes early for the baptism service, and checkin to the washroom directly facing the baptistery to dress up for the baptism.
If you have any questions, contact Brother Mike Odaba +974 -7708 -5049 or the church office at office@lifestylechurch.org.
You are encouraged to invite your friends and family to the service so they can be a part of this important event. Your immediate family can join you at baptism poll.
