Who Can Be Baptized?
ANYONE WHO IS COMMITTED TO FOLLOWING JESUS! They can be adults, teenagers or children.
Am I A Christian?
Before you get baptized, you need to make sure you really are a Christian. Jesus said, “You must be born again” (John 3:3). That means you have to make a completely new start in your life. But how? You can’t become a baby again! Jesus was not talking about physical birth, but he was referring to making a conscious decision to follow Him.
How Can You Start Again?
There are 2 important steps in becoming a Christian:
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REPENTANCE - The word “repentance” means “turning around” - turning away from our old life and towards God. This means saying sorry to God for all the wrong things you have done and for failing to meet His standards, and you are going to try really hard to do something about it!
It also means saying to God, “I’m really sorry. I don’t want to live my life my way anymore. I want to live it Your way.”
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FAITH - This means putting your trust in Jesus to sort out the wrong things in your life. It means inviting Him to come into your life to change you and real to you.
Just because your parents or friends are Christians or just because you go to church does not make you a Christian. Only a personal friendship and relationship with Jesus can make you a Christian.
How Do I Become A Christian?
You can experience the new life which Jesus gives you as you:
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Recognize that you need help (Romans 3:23)
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Repent - which means to stop doing things that are wrong and to choose things that you know will please God (Acts 3:19)
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Believe that Jesus is God’s son, He died on the cross and he came back to life 3 days later (John 19, 20 and 1 Corinthians 15:3-4)
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Believe that by Jesus’ death, He took the punishment for all the bad things (sins) that people do (1 Peter 2:24)
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Choose to love and serve Him for the rest of your life (Colossians 3:23 & 24)
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Know that by this decision, you will live in Heaven with Jesus forever (John 3:16)
Why Should I Get Baptized?
- The New Testament commands it. (Matthew 28:19, Acts 2:38)
- Jesus Himself was baptized. If Jesus, the sinless Son of God, felt it necessary to be baptized, then we certainly ought to be baptized as well! (Matthew 3:13-17)
- Baptism is an opportunity for an encounter with God (Matthew 3:16-17, Acts 10:44-48)
What Must I Do To Get Baptized?
Take time to read and think about these verses:
- Confession: 1 John 1:5-10
Baptism is an act of spiritual washing - getting ourselves clean. Say sorry to God about anything He show you which needs to be put right. - A Fresh Start: John 3:5-16
Baptism is about dying to the old way of life and starting again (Romans 6:4) with a new life and a new life-style. Ask God what differences there should be in your new, born-again life. - Membership: 1 Corinthians 12:12-31
Baptism is about joining us to the church, as well as to Jesus. Ask God for wisdom to discover what gifts God wants to release in you and how you can serve in church. - Love: 1 Corinthians 13:1-13
We get baptised not just because it's right, but also to show our love for God. This love for God must be extended to others as well. Pray that your baptism in water will also be a baptism in love. - Power: Matthew 3:11-17
Baptism is a chance for an encounter with God. He wants to meet us in our baptism in a personal and powerful way. It's unlikely that a dove will appear, but don't let that put you off receiving all that God has for you. - Peace: Philippians 4:4-9
It's easy to get anxious about being baptised. Pray that you will know God's peace, now and in the days to come before your baptism. - The Future: Jeremiah 29:11 and Ephesians 3:20
