Baptism & Membership
What is baptism?
How do I get baptised?
How does Albany Park Baptist Church practice baptism?
From the example of the New Testament, Baptists believe that baptism is only for those who believe and are able to declare personally that Jesus is Lord. As a symbol of Jesus’ claim on our lives, we normally practise baptism by immersion, which symbolises the death and burial of our old lives and resurrection to a new life in Jesus Christ. Where immersion is not possible, because of age or infirmity, then we baptise by effusion. If you were baptised as an infant, you may still be baptised as a believer.
Why don't Baptists Christen children?
Baptists believe that baptism is only for believers and therefore should follow faith, i.e. it is for those who have personally accepted Jesus as Lord and Saviour. We believe that only you can take that decision and that it is not a decision that anyone else can take on your behalf. This is in line with scriptural teaching.
How old do you have to be to be baptised?
Baptists do not set an age for baptism. The important qualification is that you are old enough to understand and to have made a personal decision to follow Jesus. At Albany Park we have baptised people as young as 11 and as old as 80.
What do you wear?
Traditionally people chose to wear a white gown but nowadays most people wear something casual that is white or light in colour.
Is the water special?
No! It's just ordinary tap water, but we do warm it up first!
Can I be baptised if I've been Christened?
Because Baptists do not accept infant Baptism or Christening as true Baptism, then there is normally no objection to the Baptism of a believer who has been Christened as an infant. Believer's Baptism is a sign of obedience to Christ's command to "Believe and be Baptised. Once baptised as a believer, whether by immersion or not, you cannot be baptised again.
Baptism
What is baptism?
How do I get baptised?
How does Albany Park Baptist Church practice baptism?
From the example of the New Testament, Baptists believe that baptism is only for those who believe and are able to declare personally that Jesus is Lord. As a symbol of Jesus’ claim on our lives, we normally practise baptism by immersion, which symbolises the death and burial of our old lives and resurrection to a new life in Jesus Christ. Where immersion is not possible, because of age or infirmity, then we baptise by effusion. If you were baptised as an infant, you may still be baptised as a believer.
Why don't Baptists Christen children?
Baptists believe that baptism is only for believers and therefore should follow faith, i.e. it is for those who have personally accepted Jesus as Lord and Saviour. We believe that only you can take that decision and that it is not a decision that anyone else can take on your behalf. This is in line with scriptural teaching.
How old do you have to be to be baptised?
Baptists do not set an age for baptism. The important qualification is that you are old enough to understand and to have made a personal decision to follow Jesus. At Albany Park we have baptised people as young as 11 and as old as 80.
What do you wear?
Traditionally people chose to wear a white gown but nowadays most people wear something casual that is white or light in colour.
Is the water special?
No! It's just ordinary tap water, but we do warm it up first!
Can I be baptised if I've been Christened?
Because Baptists do not accept infant Baptism or Christening as true Baptism, then there is normally no objection to the Baptism of a believer who has been Christened as an infant. Believer's Baptism is a sign of obedience to Christ's command to "Believe and be Baptised. Once baptised as a believer, whether by immersion or not, you cannot be baptised again.
Membership
What is church membership?
Who can become a member of Albany Park Baptist Church?
What does membership involve?
-
To live a life consistent with the calling of God -
To pray and read the Bible regularly -
To regularly and faithfully attend church for worship -
To attend Church Meetings and Prayer Meetings wherever possible -
To care for and share fellowship with other members -
To take part in the work of the church in those areas in which they are gifted. Everyone should be able to find a role -
To take responsibility for church decision making, and to stand by decisions of the church meeting -
To support the church financially, in so far as they are able -
To seek to bring others to the church -
To seek to win others for the Lord by witness and example -
To regularly attend and share in the Lord’s Supper
How do I become a member of Albany Park Baptist Church?
If you are thinking about Church Membership, then please contact the Minister or one of the Deacons. Christians apply for membership and are interviewed by two visitors appointed by the church. If the church is satisfied that the applicant has a genuine faith and is living a life consistent with their Christian calling, they will be accepted into membership.