Click
here
for the baptism application form
Can you remember the last wedding you attended? The groom turns to the bride, looks into her eyes, and in a barely audible voice chokes out the words of commitment. The couple doesn’t look any different on the outside, but in just a few moments they will be united for life by invisible cords. Signifying that unseen union, the bride and groom exchange rings. Those bands of gold tell the world they are now taken—“owned” as some might describe it.
But imagine that another unmarried couple is watching. They get swept away in the emotion of the moment and decide to get married too. So, right there they give each other rings. No commitments, no vows, just visible but unsubstantiated symbols of union. Their hands bear the accepted token of lifetime love. But which couple is really married?
The analogy illustrates the point that symbol is not substance. Marriage depends on inner realities, not rings. The same is true of becoming a Christian: what may identify you as a believer outwardly doesn’t make you one. The wedding ring of the bride doesn’t make her a bride. It is a fitting outward sign, but without the inner reality, a ring—like baptism—is void of meaning.
The
real significance of baptism cannot be defined merely with the wedding
analogy. At Discovery we believe the Bible
teaches that every individual who puts his or her trust in Christ for
salvation should be baptized.
WHAT IS THE MEANING OF BAPTISM?
-
It illustrates Christ's burial and resurrection.
"Christ died for our sins... He was buried... and He rose again."
--I Corinthians 15:3-4
"For when you were baptized, you were buried with Christ, and in baptism
you were also raised with Christ." --Colossians. 2:12
- It illustrates my new life as a Christian.
"When someone becomes a Christian he becomes a
brand new person inside.
The old life has passed away and a new life has begun!" --2
Corinthians. 5:17
"By our baptism then, we were buried with Him and
shared His death, in
order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead... so also we may live
a new life!" --Romans 6:4
Baptism doesn´t make you a believer - it shows that you
already believe.
Baptism does not "save" you, only your faith in Christ does
that. Baptism
is like a wedding ring - it´s the outward symbol of the commitment you
make in your heart.
"For it is by grace you have been saved, through
faith... it is the gift
of God - not by works, so that no one can boast." --Ephesians 2:8,9
WHY IS BAPTISM BY IMMERSION THE PREFERRED
METHOD?
- Because Jesus was baptized that way.
"As soon as Jesus was baptized, He went up out of the water."
--Matthew 3:16
- Every baptism in the Bible was by immersion.
(Example) "...then both Philip and the man went down into the water and
Philip baptized him. When they came up out of the water..." --Acts 8:38-39
The word Baptize means "To dip under water"
The Greek work baptize means "to immerse or dip under water".
It best symbolized a burial and resurrection!
- The founders of denominations agree:
Martin Luther... "I would have those who are to be baptized to be entirely immersed, as the work imports and the mystery signifies."
John Calvin... "The word ´baptize´ signifies to immerse. It is certain that immersion was the practice of the ancient church."
John Wesley... "Buried with Him, alludes to baptizing by immersion according to the custom of the first church."
NOTE: We realize not everyone is physically or emotionally able to be immersed. In those circumstances Discovery Church offers the option of believers’ baptism in the mode of sprinkling. We realize the value of the sacraments lie in the symbolism they convey and in the faith of the participants rather than the nature or amount of the elements used, as bread and wine for communion, and water for baptism.
- Every person who has believed in Christ.
"Those who believe and accepted His message were baptized..." --Acts 2:41
"Simon himself believed and was baptized..." --Acts 8:13
"But when they believed Philip as he preached the Good News... and the
name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women."
--Acts 8:12
- At Discovery, we wait until our children are old
enough to believe
and understand the true meaning of baptism before we baptize them.
While recognizing for other churches the right to practice infant baptism if it conforms to their theologies, the congregation of Discovery Church understands the Scripture to teach that only professing believers qualify for baptism.
Scriptural teaching on baptism may be summarized as follows:
- Baptism is an act of obedience to the command of
Christ, fulfilled by individuals who have subject themselves to His
sovereignty.
- Baptism symbolizes the spiritual cleansing through
divine forgiveness and newness of life experienced by believers by
virtue of their identification with Christ in his death and
resurrection.
- Baptism provides an opportunity for believers to make
a formal profession of their faith before the church.
- As a biblical rite if initiation for believers to make a formal profession of their faith before the church.
Although the old covenant practice of infant circumcision is sometimes adduced as a rationale for infant baptism, the biblical definition of the functions of circumcision and of Baptism shows that those two institutions fulfilled different purposes in their respective covenants. The equation is never made in the Bible between the circumcision of male infants in the old covenant and the baptism of born-again believers, much less of infants, in the new covenant. However, Discovery Church provides the opportunity for Christian parents to present their children for the ceremony of Dedication, whereby God’s blessing is formally invoked upon the children, and the parent’s public ally commit themselves to raise the children in accordance with the Scripture.
The church’s position on baptism is well represented in G. R. Beasley-Murray’s, Baptism in the New Testament, Macmillan, 1962
“I was baptized as a baby—what do I do now?”
If the significance of baptism is the
follow-up to a spiritual experience, the question most often asked is,
“I was baptized as a baby—what do I do now?” Was that a true
baptism? As we look at the Bible we find parents bringing their children
to dedicate them to the Lord, but they didn’t baptize them.
Still the choice of what to do if you’ve already been baptized without your consent remains. Let’s push the marriage analogy a little farther. If you had been given a ring during infancy, yet were only now getting married, what would you do? If you were convinced a wedding ring is supposed to signify a union accomplished rather than one anticipated, wouldn’t you want to have some token of the marriage you now were entering?
Our position is that if baptism signifies salvation,
only people who have intentionally and purposely received salvation
should “wear” it. You don’t have to be baptized to have Christ any
more than you must exchange rings to be pronounced man and wife. But if
the reality is there, if the invisible transformation described in 2 Cor.
As soon as you have believed.
"Those who believe...were baptized...that day!" --Acts 2:41
"Then Philip began with the scripture and told him
the Good News about
Jesus. As they traveled along the road, they came to some water, and the
man said, ´Look, here is water! Why shouldn´t I be baptized right now?´
Philip said, ´If you believe with all your heart, you may.´ The man
answered,
´I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.´ So they went down into
the water and Philip baptized him." --Acts 8:35-38
There is no reason to delay. As soon as you have decided to receive Christ into your life, you can and should be baptized. If you wait until you are "perfect", you´ll never feel "good enough"! The only ones that are perfect are God and your wife's old boyfriend! You're not, God doesn't expect you to be. But you are forgiven and baptism is a symbol of that forgiveness. In short, there's no reason to delay!
CAN MY FAMILY AND FRIENDS BE BAPTIZED TOGETHER?
Yes! If each person understands fully the meaning of baptism, and each one has personally placed his/her trust in Christ for salvation, we encourage families to be baptized at the same time. It is a wonderful expression of commitment.
However, it is important to remember that baptism is a personal statement of faith, not a family or group tradition. It is usually not wise to delay your baptism while waiting on others to join you. This puts an undue pressure on them, and delays your obedience.
WHAT SHOULD I WEAR WHEN I AM BAPTIZED?
Women should wear shorts and a top or a swimsuit. Men may wear shorts, t-shirts or a swimsuit. Bring a change of clothes, a towel, and a plastic bag for your wet clothes.
At the beginning of the service, a pastor will briefly explain the meaning of baptism. You will wait in the water for your turn to be baptized. The pastor, a staff member, your small group leader or the person who lead you to faith in Christ (it's your choice!) will introduce you, briefly lower you just under the water. After the quick party (hugs, high fives, yells, etc!!!) you can leave the water, dry off, and watch the others. Later you will receive your baptism certificate. We encourage you to invite all your relatives and friends to attend your baptism.
WHAT DO I DO IF I WANT TO BE BAPTIZED AT
DISCOVERY?
If you are ready to get Baptized, you will need to complete the following
three steps:
| Step 1 — Baptism Registration Form |
If you intend to be baptized at Discovery, complete and return a Baptism registration form.
Click
here
for
the form.
Completed forms may be submitted in one of four ways:
1) On-line registration
2) Mail: Please send completed forms to:
Discovery Church
Attention: Baptism
PO Box 8411
Turnersville, NJ 08012
3) Fax: Please fax completed forms to: (856) 673-1913, attention: Baptism.
4) Drop-off: Drop off completed forms at the Bookstore at the service.
| Step 2 — Mandatory Baptism Information Meeting |
Prior to the Baptism services, we ask each participant to attend a brief information meeting immediately following one of the Weekend services. Meeting times and locations are listed in the Discovery News or on the "Important Dates and Times" page of this web site. At the meetings, a pastor will review the church's statement on the biblical basis for Baptism and will answer any questions. A staff member will discuss the logistics of check-in and the order of the events during the service. Counselors will also be available after the meetings to address any questions you may have.
If you have additional questions, e-mail baptism@discoverychurchnj.com
Click here for the application form.