A few words about baptism

This afternoon I met with Andrew and Erika. They are going to be married later this Spring. They are also considering joining our Church. We talked about what joining the church meant for them and how it is done at First Baptist. I thought today I would pass on some of what I said to them on this topic.

First off a lot of people ask me "Why should I join the church when I can come and participate without making that commitment?" The simple answer is that when you join the church you affirm the fact that you have heard God's call and are willing to commit to him. You are saying " "God I am yours and I am ready to serve you in this place at this time." You are also saying that you believe in what God is doing in and through this ministry and you feel God's call to be a part of it. So joining is important because it affirms God's ministry and validates what god is doing in this place.

So how do you join the church? There are three ways. The first is by believer's baptism. We practice full body immersion like they did in New Testament times. It symbolizes a death to the old self and the rising of a new creation. It echoes the words of Jesus that we are a new creation. If you have never been baptized before or if you are making a major transition in life, this is the best way to join the church. Baptism brings you into the universal family of God and op0ens the door to life in a particular congregation.

The second way is to call for a letter of transfer or recommendation from another church where you have been a member. Most often this letter will come from another Protestant church. It simply says that you have been a member there and they commend you to us.

The last way is by confession or profession of faith. People who have been baptized in other traditions as an infant who want to claim this baptism and affirm their faith in Christ can come into membership this way. also those folks whose church membership has lapsed or who are unable physically to be baptized by immersion can join this way. At FBC we prefer that people experience the ordinance of believer's baptism so they can appreciate what Jesus and all the apostles experienced in this beautiful act of obedience. But the most important thing is saying "yes" to Jesus.

We will be welcoming some new members into the family on Palm Sunday. We will also have a service of believer's baptism. If you want to know more, then drop me a line and we can talk.

Cal