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Baptisms

"Go and make disciples, baptising them "

The congregation around the font during a baptism at the 10am Ashfield congregation.

Baptisms are wonderful occasions of celebration and joy. With the congregation gathered round, we witness people confess their confidence in God the Father, the Son and Holy Spirit, welcome them into Christ's church, and urge them not to be ashamed of Christ crucified, and to fight bravely against the sin and evil in the world. It's stirring stuff!

Particularly with children. It is a such a privilege that God gives us to raise and nurture children, and to teach them to know and love and serve the Lord Jesus Christ, his church and his world. Baptism is a vital part of that.

Being baptised symbolises two things.

First, it is a sign or sacrament of cleansing as water washes away dirt from our skins, so the water in baptism symbolizes the washing away of the stain of sin.

Second, baptism marks a new start. Originally, adults were baptised in rivers or lakes. They would duck down fully into the water, and then put on a new set of clothes after they had been baptised. All of these aspects symbolize a new start, a new life as one of God's children. This new life comes by being connected to Jesus, who has been raised to new life and who himself was baptised, identifying himself with us.

The font, or basin, that is used to hold the water for baptism, stands at the front of the church for good reason. As the doors mark physical entry into the church, so baptism marks spiritual entry into a right relationship with the Lord Jesus, and therefore into his church.

At CCIW, we welcome all to be baptised, and enthusiastically participate in baptisms during our Sunday services. We see it as a significant contact with the community, and take seriously the relationship established in baptism.

To arrange a baptism, please visit us on a Sunday and speak to one of our ministry staff.