Baptismal Service
September 4, 1999


We believe in baptism by immersion. Jesus was baptized in the waters
of the Jordan River. He commanded his to be baptized as well. The
Greek word "Baptizo" means "to dip," never to sprinkle or pour. The
Lord's first work and last command was to be baptized in the name of
the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

Baptism is an outward sign of an inward work that has already taken
place. It is an act of obedience. It does not wash sins away, or make
us new creatures, or fill us with the Holy Spirit. Paul explained in
Romans 6:3-4 the symbolic meaning of baptism. Baptizing is laying the
person under the water backward to symbolize the death of our old
lives. It is like a burial of the past. Then being raised is like
being raised from the dead and alive in newness of life. 

All of those being baptized today will share a brief word of their
experience of receiving Christ as Savior.  Then they will answer two
baptismal questions, as has been the custom of the church throughout
the centuries. Then they will be baptized in the name of the Father,
and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost according to the instructions of
Jesus Christ in Matthew 28:19.  

"Go therefore and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the
Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to
observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and lo, I am with
you always, even unto the end of the world.. Amen"



Baptismal Candidates


Follow the order of service. As each candidate is dipped into the
water we will begin singing a verse of a song praising God for the
cleansing blood of Jesus Christ. It is our personal faith in Jesus
Christ and his atoning work for our sins that saves us. 

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(Songs: There is Power In the Blood, Thank You Lord for Saving My
Soul, Nothing But the Blood of Jesus, Oh, The Blood of Jesus, Washed
in the Blood) 
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What Must I Do To Be Saved?

The Ethiopian Eunuch of Acts 8 asked what prevented him from being
baptized. Phillip answered, "If you believe with all your heart, you
may." He did and was immediately baptized. Have you yet trusted Jesus
only to be your Savior? Have you repented of your sins and asked his
forgiveness?

True belief, that is, believing with all your heart, is not just head
knowledge about Jesus Christ but a heart action of repentance and
personally receiving Jesus Christ into your heart and life. Jesus
said, "Behold I stand at the door and knock. If any man will open the
door, I will come into him, and fellowship with him and he with me."
(Revelation 3:20)

Have you personally invited Jesus Christ to come into your life? If
not, you may do so today. Jus bow your head and pray this sinner's
prayer.

"Lord Jesus, I come to you right now. I am a sinner. I need your
forgiveness. I believe that you died on the cross for me, and that you
rose again form the dead to save me. Right now, I repent of my sins,
and I open the door of my heart and ask you to come into my life and
be my Savior and friend. This I ask in Jesus powerful name. Amen."

If you have done that you may claim God's promise of forgiveness and
salvation in Jesus Christ. (John 3:16) You are now become a born-again
believer by putting your full trust and faith in Jesus Christ. All
your old life is passed away and everything has become new (I
Corinthians 5:17) your sins have been forgiven (I John 1:9) and your
name has been written in heaven in the Lamb's book of life.
(Revelation 21:27) 

Begin your new life each day with a time of prayer, and a short
reading from God's Word, the Bible. Find a church that preaches the
gospel of Jesus Christ and fellowship there each Sunday to grow strong
in faith.