I cannot tell you how excited I am about the baptismal services we have planned for both morning worship services (9:00 & 10:30 a.m.) this Sunday, August 30, 2009. It will be a unique and uplifting time as new believers declare their faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. If you have never been baptized by immersion then it is not too late for you to join the others who will be baptized this Sunday. Call the church office at (904) 642-2288 and tell the ministry assistant that you are not ashamed of Jesus Christ and want to be baptized as a public profession of your faith. They will give you information about the service so you can participate. Each person baptized that day will receive a beautiful certificate of baptism as well as a special memento of the ceremony. You can also click here to create an "e-card" to send an e-mail invitation to your family and friends!
FAQs about Baptism
(from The North American Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention)
“How important is baptism in the Bible?” New believers are commanded in the Bible to be baptized as a testimony of their faith in Jesus Christ (Matthew 28:18-19; Acts 10:48)
“What is the meaning and purpose of baptism?” Baptism is a concrete way for believers to demonstrate their obedience to the command of Christ to publicly profess their faith in Him (Matthew 10:32). As a person is immersed in the waters of baptism he or she is proclaiming, “I believe in Jesus Christ; His death, burial, and resurrection; and I am trusting in Him alone for my salvation” (see I Corinthians 15:3-4; Romans 6:4). Another purpose of baptism is as a witness to non-believers. Baptism is an excellent way to proclaim and illustrate gospel truths and to invite others to faith in Jesus Christ.
“Who are the proper candidates for baptism?”Since baptism is a public acknowledgment of faith in Jesus Christ, it logically follows that the only valid candidates for baptism are believers in Him. In the Bible baptism is reserved for followers of Christ only; there is no biblical incidence of an infant or unbeliever ever participating in Christian baptism. This is also stated explicitly in Acts 8:37-37. As the Ethiopian eunuch heard about Jesus he said, “See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? Philip’s answer makes very clear who the proper candidates for baptism are: “If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest.” Baptism is reserved for believers in Jesus Christ.
“What is the proper way to be baptized?” In the Greek New Testament the word “baptize” means “to immerse.” Certainly immersion, then, is the correct and preferred mode of baptism and indeed was the Biblical method used. Through history, pouring or sprinkling has became the preferred methods of baptism by some groups. This change may have occurred because baptism by immersion in a lake, river, or other body of water subjected the church to persecution because of its public nature. Church tradition or even convenience may be other reasons some have gone to other methods of baptism besides immersion. But during the 1400’s to 1600’s many groups rediscovered and began to practice biblical baptism by immersion.
“What about infant baptism?”As stated above, believers in Jesus Christ are the only proper candidates for baptism. Thus, infant baptism, or “paedobaptism,” is not recognized in Scripture. Many sincere and well-meaning parents desire to dedicate their children to God. Other parents who are members of churches that practice infant baptism have their children baptized out of tradition. We should not disparage parents who do this, but only inform them that to “fulfill all righteousness” (Matthew 3:15) their children (and the parents, also!) should be baptized only after trusting and receiving Christ as Lord and Savior.
“Is baptism necessary for salvation?” Baptism is not a “sacrament” in the sense that it imparts any special blessing, holiness, forgiveness, or salvation to participants. Baptism is more properly called an “ordinance.” We participate in the ordinance of baptism because it was established, ordained, and commanded (“ordered”) by the Lord Jesus Christ as a symbolic demonstration of our faith in Him. Baptism does not save; it does not wash away sin. These come only by receiving Jesus Christ by faith (see Ephesians 2:8-9; John 14:6). But even though baptism does not save, it is not optional in the Bible. Believers are commanded to be baptized.
http://www.baptismcelebration.org/site/c.bsJOK2PJJtH/b.270758/k.7CB3/Information_on_BaptismFAQs.htm
