A copy of the following is given in writing to each baptismal candidate to help them better appreciate the meaning of baptism.
BAPTISM
If you are considering being baptized, or simply want a better understanding of it, this page was written with you in mind. The only
people that are true candidates for baptism are those that have invited Christ
into their lives as Savior and Lord. When one does that, the Holy Spirit
immediately comes to indwell that person. They are spiritually born into
the family of God. Christ and God the Father are now with them also (Jn
14:23). Now they are a Christian, and their sins have been forgiven.
As Savior, He has paid for their sins and given them eternal life. They
will never be condemned (Ro 8:1). As Lord, He calls them to learn more
about Him, and obey Him.
Baptism is an act of identification and obedience. It is NOT a part of salvation! These people have repented of their rebellion against God, of their living without Him. They have given up all hope that there is any way to get to Heaven by their goodness or religion, and have put all their faith in Christ's work on the cross in their behalf. They have received God's free gift of eternal life in Christ, and have turned their life over to Him. Christ wants new Christians to follow His example, and obey His command to be baptized (Mt 28:19,20). God wants others to know when someone has chosen to accept Christ as Savior and Lord, so He wants baptism to be public.
Christians are the only candidates for baptism because of what baptism represents. "Baptism" comes from the Greek word "baptizo" meaning "to dip" (as a clothe), "immerse", or "submerge." People, when being baptized, are to go totally under water. It symbolizes burial. Pouring, or sprinkling water over someone does not accomplish that symbolism. When one is baptized, they are publicly identifying themselves with Christ, testifying to their having put their faith in His death, burial, and resurrection. They are saying that because they have put their trust in what He did, and have invited Him into their life, they now have been raised from spiritual death by Him. They now are alive spiritually, walking in unity with Him. Baptism is only a symbol of that, a physical and visible way of showing what has already taken place spiritually. It is not baptism that washes away sin. It is only the blood of Jesus that can wash away sin (Rev 1:5). No one is a candidate for baptism (such as infants) until they have reached an age where the Holy Spirit can convince them of their need of a Savior. It is only after Christ is received as Savior that baptism is appropriate. (By God's grace, there are two exceptions, babies (2Sa 12:23; Mt 18:10) and the severely mentally handicapped, that do go to Heaven because they are mentally incapable of praying to accept Christ as Savior.)
There are different kinds of baptisms mentioned in the Bible. The moment we invite Christ to come into our life, a "Spirit baptism" takes place where the Holy Spirit places us in Christ (Ro 6:3). This is invisible, so the Lord instituted "believer's water baptism," which is the subject of this article. It is easy to be confused when passages in the Bible use the word "baptism" and take for granted that the reader knows which one is being referred to, such as "Jewish ceremonial baptism", and "the baptism of repentance." Neither one of these would properly be in use today. We hope this page has been a help to you. If you have any questions on the subject of baptism, please go to the home page of this website, and email Pastor Merrill.
Instructions to those getting baptized at Centinela Bible Church.
PREPARATIONS:
You will want to come to the Sunday service about ten minutes early, in order to familiarize yourself with where the rest rooms are, and prepare to attend the first part of the service. Bring a T-shirt and some walking shorts, to be worn under the white, cloth robe, which we will provide for you to put over these clothes right before getting baptized. Keep modesty in mind, knowing that when these robes get wet, you can see somewhat through them. The ushers will usher those being baptized, from the sanctuary to the dressing rooms at the appropriate time. There will be a man for the men and boys, and a woman for the women and girls, to assist you in getting dressed, and getting in and out of the baptistry. They will also refresh your memory regarding these instructions, as well as giving you any necessary last minute instructions, such as the order of the people to be baptized that day. Be sure to ask them to clarify anything that you may be unsure of at that time. If you have anything you will want to say (testimony) while you are in the baptistry, let the pastor know before the service, or when you first enter the baptistry, that you would like to do this. If a microphone is set up outside the baptistry, be sure not to touch it while you are in the water, to prevent any possibility of electrocution. During the baptism, be prepared to be totally submerged under water. The church has a limited amount of towels, bags for wet clothes and hair dryers, so if you know a lot of people are getting baptized the same day, you may want to bring your own.
ACTUAL BAPTISM:
The pastor will be waiting for you in the water of the baptistry. You will enter the baptistry, approach the pastor, then turn towards the congregation for him to introduce you. The pastor will say to the congregation "This is (YOUR NAME)." He will then say your first name and ask you "Have you invited Jesus Christ into your life to be your personal Lord and Savior?" You will answer "Yes." (If you are not able to answer in the affirmative, you should not present yourself to be baptized at this time.) He then will position you so that the congregation is on your right hand side. At this time you should grip your right wrist with your left hand. The pastor will say to the congregation "Then upon your public profession of Christ as your Savior and Lord, I baptize you, my (brother/sister), in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Buried in the likeness of his death..." THAT IS YOUR CUE! You will now close your mouth, and pinch your nose closed, if you chose, with your right hand, still holding your right wrist with your left hand. At this point the pastor will have his right hand supporting your back, and put his left hand over your hands. You will BEND YOUR KNEES (which lowers you more into the water), and lie back under the water. Within about two seconds your natural buoyancy will cause you to come back to the surface. Use your legs, as pastor also assists you to stand upright again. The pastor will then finish what he was saying with ".. and raised in the likeness of His resurrection, to walk in newness of life." Baptism just doesn't show one has already trusted Christ and received eternal life, but that they have a new lifestyle because of their repentance from their sins, and their following now of Christ daily. Next you will exit the baptistry, and will be assisted towards the rest room to dry off and change clothes.
May this be a meaningful, and memorable experience for you as you follow in obedience the Lord's command to be baptized.
Pastor Greg Merrill