Baptism is more than a ceremony or ritual. It is our way of identifying with Jesus in his burial and resurrection.

(There are downloadable information leaflets available at the bottom of this page)

Why would we want to be baptised?

The bible tells us to be baptised. It is what Jesus asked all of his followers to do.

Acts 2 v38
Repent and be baptised, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ, for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Matthew 28 v 19
(Jesus said) Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptising tham in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit...

It shows that we have repented (turned away) from our sins and been forgiven

Mark 1 v 4-4
And so John came, baptising in the desert region and preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins....Confessing their sins, they were baptised by him in the Jordan River.

It shows that we have died to our old life, and just as Jesus was raised form the dead, we too have a new life.

Romans 6 v 3-4
Or don't you know that all of us who were baptised into Christ Jesus were baptised into his death? We were therefore buried with him in baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.

It is a public acknowledgement of our faith in Jesus. Because we love our Lord Jesus Christ, we want to identify with him.

Matthew 10 v 32
(Jesus said) Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heaven

Baptism or Confirmation?

If you have never been baptised before, then we offer baptism by full immersion, which means going right under the water and coming up again. This is a very powerful image of Jesus' death and resurrection, and of our identification with him, and being given a new start.

We have used a swimming pool in the past (see the video below to give you an idea), and also the facilities at Headcorn Baptist church, where they have a special pool for baptism at the front of the church.

BAPTISM SERVICE

The Affirmations

The Lord says, “See I am making all things new.” (Rev 21:5)
Do you believe and trust in one God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit,
maker of heaven and earth, giver of life, redeemer of the world?
I do.

Do you repent of your sins, turn away from evil, and turn to Christ?
By God’s grace, I do.

Do you confess Jesus Christ as your Saviour and Lord?
I do.

Testimony
A short testimony may be given by the baptismal candidate.

The Baptism
N, do you believe that Jesus loves you, and calls you to follow him?
I do.

The Promises
We are now going to receive N as a Member of the Church. From the beginning,
believers have continued in the worship and fellowship of the Church.

N, do you promise to share in the worship of God with God’s people?
I do, with God’s help

N, will you follow Christ each day in all that you do?
I will, with God’s help

N, with the whole Church, will you help by word and action to share the
good news of God in Christ?
I will, with God’s help

For those who have been baptised as infants (or 'Christened' ) by their parents, we offer confirmation, which is a public acknowledgement of our decision to repent of our sins and to follow Christ. It is basically the chance to publicly say that you accept as your own choice what your parents did for you as a baby, for the same reasons as deciding to be baptised.

CONFIRMATION OF BAPTISMAL PROMISES

Renewal of Baptismal Promise

X…will now make his/her own the promises declared when he/she was baptised.

Do you believe and trust in one God,

Father, Son and Holy Spirit,

maker of heaven and earth,

redeemer of the world, giver of life?

I do.

Do you, trusting in God’s grace, repent of your sins, renounce evil, and turn to Christ?

I do.

Do you promise, trusting in God’s grace, to be faithful in public and private worship,
to live in the fellowship of the Church and to share in its witness?

I do.

Do you promise, by that same grace, to follow Christ and to seek to do
and to bear his will all the days of your life?

I do.

And do you trust in his mercy alone to bring you into the fullness
of the life of the world to come?

I do.

The Confirmation Prayer

RECEPTION OF MEMBERS

The Welcome