Coney Hill Baptist Church

Demonstrating God’s Love Together

Baptism

It is perhaps our understanding and practice of Baptism which is the most obvious distinction between us and other churches you might have come across, though we are by no means alone in the way we do things.

We baptise believers, that is people of any age who have faith in Christ, because we believe that it is something no-one else can do on our behalf. We also baptise by full immersion in water, because we believe that's the way it was done in the New Testament and that it best symbolises what baptism means.

BAPTISM IS:
- An Act of Obedience. Jesus said it so we do it, it's as simple as that. The Bible demands that all Christians be baptised.
- A Burial: a Union, and a Bath: The symbolism of the act itself identifies us with the death of Jesus; saying that we to "die" to that which has gone before, as well as his resurrection, as we are also "raised" to a new life.
- A Mark of Entry into the Church. This was the practice of the early church, people were baptised "into" a new community of believers. This is why in our own church baptism and church membership are closely linked together. - An Act of Witness. In the act itself, as well as in any testimony which accompanies it, it is acknowledged before family, friends and strangers that a new Christian life has begun.
- An Opportunity for the Spirit. Christians believe that God is actively and practically at work among us and within us through His Holy Spirit. This is true in a whole variety of ways yet the act of Baptism represents a singular opportunity for the Spirit to come and work in a persons life. Again, in the New Testament, baptism and the coming of the Spirit in new and powerful ways is so often linked.

Baptism is one of the first steps of the Christian life. It is a wonderful opportunity to act in a decisive and obedient way to demonstrate what God has done and to indicate your preparedness to let him do more. Baptisms are arranged as appropriate from time to time after a period of instruction. If you are interested in finding out more, please speak with the Minister.

Office Address:

Coney Hill Road

West Wickham

Kent

BR4 9BU