Baptism

We baptise people because Jesus told his followers to go into the whole world and make disciples, to baptise them, and to teach them to do all that He commanded.

We baptise people who believe that Jesus Christ died to take the punishment for all the wrong things that they have ever done and will ever do, that He rose up from the dead, and after defeating demonic powers has taken His seat at God's right hand in Heaven. People who are prepared to turn away from all their bad deeds and thoughts, and want to lead a new life under the authority of Jesus.

We baptise people by totally immersing them in water, and bringing them out again. This symbolises the person dying to sin, being buried with Jesus Christ, and being raised again to a new life.

If you are prepared to repent of your sins, want to live a new life following Jesus, and are baptised your sins will be forgiven and washed away, God will give you a clear conscience and you will receive a new life. The Holy Spirit will live in you, giving assurance that you are one of God's children and power to live the new life in a way pleasing to God. You will become a part of the true church (which consists of all real Christians).

The New Testament gives us many examples of people being baptised. They include 3000 on the Day of Pentecost, many in Samaria, a sorcerer called Simon, a eunuch from Ethiopia, the apostle Paul, Cornelius and his relatives and close friends, Lydia (a rich business woman) and her household, a prison officer from Philippi and his household, Crispus (the leader of the synagogue in Corinth) with his household and many others from Corinth, and some disciples of John the Baptist at Ephesus.