Encouraging, equipping and nurturing a life of faith in Jesus for Jesus
Discipleship: Growing in Christ
"Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Matthew 28:19-20
Growing as Disciples
through Baptism & the Lord's Supper:
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God has blessed us with two celebrations that affirm our faith in Christ and through which Christ affirms his presence with and care for us: Baptism and the Lord's Supper. We call these "ordinances" because God has ordained that every believer, every disciple of Christ, should take part in them.
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They are celebrations in which the church, gathered together as one, confesses the faith and union in Christ of each believer and of the church as the united "body of Christ":
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In Baptism, the church gathered together as one recognises a person's faith in Christ and welcomes them into its fellowship, at the same time as the believer signifies through their baptism that their faith, life and hope is in Christ alone;
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In the Lord's Supper, it is as the church gathered together as one eats from one broken loaf of bread and one carafe of wine that each believer and the church as one celebrates the Lord's death until he returns.
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Baptism: Declaring Faith in Jesus
Baptism is a symbol of beginning the Christian life, intended for a believer who has made a profession of faith in Christ and has shown evidence that they have a living relationship with Christ.
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By being baptised, a follower of Jesus is publicly declaring that he or she has died to their old nature and way of living, and have been given ‘new birth’ and a new way of life through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
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At Howick Baptist Church, we believe and practice baptism by immersion, which vividly portrays the reality of a believer’s union with Christ in his death, burial, and resurrection.
“We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.” Romans 6:4 (ESV)
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Who Should Be Baptised?
Only those believers who give a believable profession of faith and show practical evidence of their belief and obedience to Christ.
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How Can I Be Baptised?
Either:
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Register your interest to be baptised by completing one of the cards found in the church pews, or
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Speak to one of the elders/pastors.
We offer regular baptism classes which provide a great opportunity to gain a more clear understanding of baptism, along with meeting one of our elders to affirm your readiness. You would then be baptised during one of our Sunday services and be able to share the occasion with family and friends.
The Lord's Supper: Remembering Jesus Together
We teach that the Lord’s Supper is the commemoration and proclamation of His death until He comes, and should be always preceded by solemn self-examination (1 Corinthians 11:28-32).
We also teach that, whereas the elements of Communion are only representative of the flesh and blood of Christ, participation in the Lord’s Supper is nevertheless an actual communion with the risen Christ, who indwells every believer, and so is present, fellowshipping with His people (1 Corinthians 10:16).
We encourage all those who love the Lord to participate in this meal.
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The Lord's Supper is usually celebrated by us as part of our Sunday Morning worship on the second Sunday of each month.