Baptism

One of our favourite events at Jubilee is our baptism services. They are full of celebration and joy as we thank Jesus for all that he has done in people’s lives.

We believe the bible is clear that all believers need to be baptised and so we would encourage you to get baptised as soon as possible if you are a Christian.

Our next baptisms will take place on Sunday 27th June 2010 (evening) 2010.

If you are wanting to get baptised please contact us.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s) about Baptism

What is baptism?
Baptism is a part of the Great Commission, ordained by Jesus Christ (Matthew 28:19 [show] [19]Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, (ESV)
, Mark 16:16 [show] [16]Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. (ESV)
, Acts 2:38 [show] [38]And Peter said to them, "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. (ESV)
). Baptism isn’t a means by which you get saved. It is a means by which you demonstrate that you have been saved.

Where did it come from?
God has long used the picture of washing with water to symbolize cleansing, purification, and setting apart for His glory. Baptism is rooted in the rite of circumcision, and the ceremonial washings in the Old Covenant. In the New Testament, John the Baptist came calling people to prepare the way for Jesus through a baptism of repentance. Jesus was baptized, although he had no sin, to “fulfill all righteousness” (Matthew 3:13-17 [show] [13]Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John, to be baptized by him. [14]John would have prevented him, saying, "I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?" [15]But Jesus answered him, "Let it be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness." Then he consented. [16]And when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him; [17]and behold, a voice from heaven said, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased." (ESV)
, Mark 1:9-11 [show] [9]In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. [10]And when he came up out of the water, immediately he saw the heavens being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. [11]And a voice came from heaven, "You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased." (ESV)
, Luke 3:21-22 [show] [21]Now when all the people were baptized, and when Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, the heavens were opened, [22]and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form, like a dove; and a voice came from heaven, "You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased." (ESV)
, John 1:31-34 [show] [31]I myself did not know him, but for this purpose I came baptizing with water, that he might be revealed to Israel." [32]And John bore witness: "I saw the Spirit descend from heaven like a dove, and it remained on him. [33]I myself did not know him, but he who sent me to baptize with water said to me, 'He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain, this is he who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.' [34]And I have seen and have borne witness that this is the Son of God." (ESV)
).
Believers-those who have repented and placed their faith in Jesus.

When should believers be baptised?
As soon as possible after they have repented and placed their faith in Jesus. In Scripture, faith and baptism go together (Acts 2:37-40, 8 [show] [37]Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, "Brothers, what shall we do?" [38]And Peter said to them, "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. [39]For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself." [40]And with many other words he bore witness and continued to exhort them, saying, "Save yourselves from this crooked generation." (ESV) [8]And how is it that we hear, each of us in his own native language? (ESV)
:34-38).

Why should we be baptised?
Jesus was baptised. We are following his example (Matthew 3:13-17 [show] [13]Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John, to be baptized by him. [14]John would have prevented him, saying, "I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?" [15]But Jesus answered him, "Let it be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness." Then he consented. [16]And when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him; [17]and behold, a voice from heaven said, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased." (ESV)
); Obedience to Jesus’ command in the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19 [show] [19]Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, (ESV)
, Mark 16:16 [show] [16]Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. (ESV)
, Acts 2:38 [show] [38]And Peter said to them, "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. (ESV)
); Baptism is a symbol (like a wedding ceremony) of unity with Christ in His death, burial and resurrection and shows you belong to Him (Romans 6:1-4 [show] [6:1]What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? [2]By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it? [3]Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? [4]We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. (ESV)
, Colossians 2:11-12 [show] [11]In him also you were circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, [12]having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead. (ESV)
); Baptism pictures the washing/cleansing of your heart and purification through regeneration (Titus 3:4-7 [show] [4]But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, [5]he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, [6]whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, [7]so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. (ESV)
, Acts 22:16 [show] [16]And now why do you wait? Rise and be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on his name.' (ESV)
).

We are following the historical example of the early church. Throughout Acts, we see people being saved and then baptized. Baptism is a sign of your entrance into and unity with the church, both local and universal.

What are the benefits of baptism?
Strengthens your faith
Reassurance of your salvation
You receive the joy of obedience
Blessing of the Father for obedience
Impact on conscience
Joy and celebration for the church
Church strengthened and encouraged by your obedience

Why is there sometimes confusion about it?
Churches have different views on baptism. Catholics and some Protestant churches teach that baptism itself conveys grace without requiring faith from the people participating in it. They would teach that you must be baptised in order to be saved. We however, believe that a person is saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ alone (Ephesians 2:8-9 [show] [8]For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, [9]not a result of works, so that no one may boast. (ESV)
). Baptism is a public demonstration of faith, not the cause of faith. Baptism is not necessary for salvation, but is necessary for obedience to Jesus Christ who commanded it. Although the method of baptism (being immersed or sprinkled) is not vital, we believe the scriptural evidence strongly supports baptism by immersion (Matt. 3:16 [show] [16]And when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him; (ESV)
, Mark 1:10 [show] [10]And when he came up out of the water, immediately he saw the heavens being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. (ESV)
, Acts 8:38 [show] [38]And he commanded the chariot to stop, and they both went down into the water, Philip and the eunuch, and he baptized him. (ESV)
).

If I have been confirmed, do I need to be baptised?
Yes. Your confirmation class was an important way of clarifying and affirming your faith but didn’t involved the full immersion by water that Jesus commands.

If I was baptised as an infant, do I need to be baptised?
Yes. We believe that individuals are only saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ alone (Eph 2:8-9 [show] [8]For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, [9]not a result of works, so that no one may boast. (ESV)
). This requires the person to place faith in God for themselves not by their parents. Baptism is the obedient response to this choice.

By whom should a believer be baptised?
Because all believers are “priests,” (I Peter 2:4-10 [show] [4]As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, [5]you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. [6]For it stands in Scripture: "Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, a cornerstone chosen and precious, and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame." [7]So the honor is for you who believe, but for those who do not believe, "The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone," [8]and "A stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense." They stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do. [9]But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. [10]Once you were not a people, but now you are God's people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. (ESV)
) any other believer can baptise, although it has historically been done by “church leaders.”