THE MINISTRY OF THE BAPTISM SERVICE
Baptism is a ceremony practiced by Christian denominations in which a person accepts the sacrifice of Jesus and begins a new life in Him. Although the practice varies in style among faiths, in the biblical original a new Christian is immersed in water, symbolizing death and burial, then is raised to a new life in Christ. Baptism is a public ceremony that announces to any witnesses the recipient's inner conviction. Adventists practice the ritual of baptism by immersion, as a public expression of a person's choice to follow God's teaching and as a symbol of the believer’s conscious choice, after careful study of the scriptures, to become a member of the Seventh-day Adventist Church.
By baptism we confess our faith in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, and testify of our death to sin and of our purpose to walk in newness of life. Thus we acknowledge Christ as Lord and Savior, become His people, and are received as members by His church. Baptism is a symbol of our union with Christ, the forgiveness of our sins, and our reception of the Holy Spirit. It is by immersion in water and is contingent on an affirmation of faith in Jesus and evidence of repentance of sin. It follows instruction in the Holy Scriptures and acceptance of their teachings. (Rom. 6:1-6; Col. 2:12, 13; Acts 16:30-33; 22:16; 2:38; Matt. 28:19,20.) Lets Us Minister To You:
Lets Us Minister To You:
- If you have a desire to surrender your life to God and be baptized, our Pastors, Elders, Bible worker and appropriate ministry leader will gladly assist you with Bible lessons and the planning of your baptism. Prospective persons desiring baptism or acceptance on profession of faith, are carefully instructed from the Scriptures by the Pastors, Elders or Bible Worker. Candidates for baptism or those being received into fellowship by profession of faith, freely affirm their acceptance of the doctrinal beliefs of the Seventh-day Adventist Church and the truths of the Bible in the presence of the church or other properly appointed body.
- After the candidates have, in the presence of the church membership or other properly appointed body, answered the questions of the vow in the affirmative, or assurance has been given to the church that such answers have already been given, the church body is asked to vote on the acceptance of candidates into fellowship, subject to baptism.
- At this ceremony the deacons will assist the male candidates into and out of the water and the deaconesses assist all female candidates similarly. While care is exercised to see that proper outer attire is provided for the candidates, candidates should dress in such a manner that they will be modestly attired. Head caps are acceptable at the baptism. Following the baptism, a Certificate of Baptism and Commitment is presented to the candidate as a covenant document of their commitment to Christ and the Seventh-day Adventist Church doctrines.
- Following the baptismal ceremony or as soon as is possible at a later date the baptized member is officially presented to the church and the extending of the right hand of fellowship (welcome) and the giving of a few words of welcome by the pastor is done. Sometimes a member may be asked to be a supportive role model to the newly baptized member.
