as you consider baptism
we are excited that you are interested in baptism. we believe that baptism is an important step of obedience for every person who has accepted Christ as his or her savior.
the following has been designed to explain baptism and the necessary steps to be baptized at an upcoming service. the information below is intended all the information you'll need, but if you still have questions, feel free to contact us at church@ferndalefoursquare.com or call [248] 545 1511.
we consider it a privilege to walk with you as you take this next step on your spiritual journey.
what we believe about baptism
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who should be baptized
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what baptism symbolizes
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infant christening
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the baptism process
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making your video
who should be baptized
christians believe that the blood of Jesus Christ, shed on the cross, provides the sole basis for the forgiveness of sin. therefore, salvation occurs only when a person places his or her faith in the death and resurrection of Christ as the sufficient payment for his or her sin.
if you have accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, then you are ready to be baptized. just like a bride and groom show others their love for one another by wearing wedding bands, your baptism is your opportunity to show others that you have accepted Christ and are now walking with Him.
if you have any questions about how to begin a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, please click baptism@ferndalefoursquare.com.
what baptism symbolizes
baptism is a way of showing others that you have entered into a relationship with Jesus Christ. it symbolizes what took place in your heart at the time of salvation:
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accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior.
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shared in His death and resurrection, illustrated by going under the water (dead to your old life), then rising again (new life).
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were symbolically washed clean and sins were forgiven by His death on the cross.
because Jesus instructed us to be baptized, baptism is an act of obedience. while it is not necessary for salvation,
it demonstrates submission to God. we immerse at rcf because we believe Scripture shows that Jesus modeled that for us as the way to publicly acknowledge our faith in Him.
infant christening
some denominations choose to christen infants. while we recognize the right of other churches to practice infant christening, we understand Scripture to teach that only professing believers qualify for baptism. baptism does not make you a believer, rather it shows that you already believe.
the baptism process
the baptism process at risen christian has been designed to be both simple and meaningful. from the registration form to the baptism meeting, each step has been carefully planned with you in mind:
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complete the baptism registration. once we receive your registration form, we will contact you to schedule your videotaping and baptism. you may request a registration form by calling the church or emailing us at baptism@ferndalefoursquare.com
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read below about making your video. we want you to be as comfortable and prepared for the video as possible.
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attend a meeting and film your testimony. after we receive your registration form, we'll contact you to schedule you for an informational meeting where you'll also have your testimony videotaped.
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get baptized! a showing of your prerecorded video occurs during a sunday morning service. baptisms take place later that day during a sunday celebration event.
making your video
one of the most powerful aspects of baptism at ferndale foursquare church is the video testimony shown right before your baptism. the video allows you to share how Christ has been working in your life. pre-recording allows you to do as many takes as necessary, while sharing the message you have thoughtfully and prayerfully prepared ahead of time. many people ask, "do i have to do the video?" the answer is yes, if you want to be baptized at risen christian fellowship. baptism is meant to be a public profession, and it is an incredible opportunity to share God's message of redemption with others. we have witnessed the life changing effect these videos have had on people's lives. another important reason we do a video is that we as a congregation grow in our faith by watching these stories. it allows friends, family, and even those you don't know to celebrate the amazing transformation God has worked in your life.
some people are nervous about taping their stories, but we work hard to make the process both simple and fulfilling. we meet with baptism candidates and go over everything they need to know about the baptism process in general, and the videotaping in particular. the video will be taped on the day of your baptism meeting, which usually takes place a week or two before your baptism.
we want baptism to be a meaningful and enjoyable experience, and we look forward to walking through it with you! If you have any questions or need help preparing your testimony, please contact pastor cyndi at 248 545 1511 or baptism@ferndalefoursquare.com.
for questions, please contact pastor cyndi at baptism@ferndalefoursquare.com