First Church of Christ

Serving God is awesome... And serving God in an area that you are gifted for and passionate about is through the roof awesome!

Another way to say that is--it's a great thing to step up to the plate and fill a need in a ministry. But it's a through the roof awesome thing when you discover your THING and begin serving in your MINISTRY NICHE... now we're talking joy and passion that motivates us to be our very best for God. This kind of service changes lives!

FIVE STATEMENTS that will help you discover your THING!

Ponder these... take notes, pray about... talk to your friends about it--and you will begin to get a sense of who God made you to be! Then contact Pastor Brad. He'll help you connect your THING to a personal mission that will help people fall in love with Jesus!

1. I'm successful at it.
Over the years--when you do this thing--it's gone well.

2. I'm instinctive about it.
Generally speaking--you feel a fish IN water when you do this... it suits you well and feels very natural to you.

3. I could do this for hours.
Time doesn't exist when you do this--you enjoy it, it energizes you and you could do it all day long.

4. I feel "fulfilled" by it.
When you do this you don't feel like your "wasting time", you're doing something that you love and that God created you to do.

5. People tell me I'm good at this.
When you do this--people complement you on it--they say, "That was great!" or "You're good at that!"
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Baptism at First Church
Back to "What we believe"

According to our understanding of the New Testament, here are answers to several important questions concerning baptism.

Who should be baptized?
All those who are willing to repent of their sins and confess their belief in Christ should be baptized (Matt. 28:19; Acts 2:38-39).

How should we be baptized?
The word for "baptism" in the New Testament is the Greek word baptizo, which means "to immerse in water." The New Testament says baptism represents the death, burial and resurrection of Christ (Romans 6:1-5). Baptism serves as a symbol of the burial of the old self and the resurrection of the believer's soul to walk in a new life with Christ. Believer's baptism by immersion in water is required for membership at First Church of Christ. If a person has been immersed, it is not necessary to be baptized again. However, if a person has not been baptized by immersion then we will administer baptism before they become a member of First Church.

When should we be baptized?
A person should be baptized at the time he or she trusts in Christ. The Bible teaches we are saved by grace through faith (Eph. 2:8). In the New Testament church, a person's baptism was the first expression of faith, not separate from it. Baptism was intended as a benchmark of transformation, marking the place and time a person made a commitment to Christ (Rom. 6:1-8; Acts 8:36). The act of baptism cannot save an individual. We are saved only through accepting Christ's sacrifice on the cross. Baptism is a command (Matt. 26:19) that should be followed rather than something that can be done later or never. At First Church of Christ, we are attempting to restore the original intent and practice of baptism. Therefore, we ask a person to be baptized at the point they make a personal commitment to Christ.

Why should we be baptized?
A person should be baptized to follow the example of Christ (Mat. 3:13-17), to obey Christ's command (Mat. 28:18), to accept forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38; 22:16), to receive the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38), to express trust in Christ (Acts 8:12-13), and to testify to God's work in his or her life (Rom. 6:1-8; Gal. 3:27). Baptism also serves to cleanse a guilty conscience (1 Pet. 3:21). The Holy Spirit prompts individuals to recognize their sin and guilt. The only method by which the human soul can be wiped clean of sin is through the blood of Jesus Christ (Heb. 9:27-10:7). This "washing away" of sin is most clearly symbolized in the act of baptism (Acts 22:16; 1 Pet. 3:21).

Since one of the biggest obstacles between us and God is pride, baptism also offers a way for the believer to humble themselves before God and others and admit their need for Christ's redemption (James 4:6).

Should a person ever be rebaptized?
Any person who has trusted in Jesus as the only Son of God and who has willingly been immersed into Christ may become a member of First Church of Christ whether the baptism occurred at First Church or elsewhere. Rebaptism is encouraged for those who lack confidence in their initial baptism experience because they don't remember it, they were coerced, or their heart was not right with God at the time. Anyone who has fallen into sin after accepting Christ as savior should repent and seek forgiveness, but rebaptism is not necessary (Acts 8:13-24).

Must a person be baptized during a worship service?
No. Baptisms at other times are acceptable (Acts 8:38; 16:33), but baptisms during worship services are encouraged at First Church because they provide the opportunity to testify to your faith and show humility. God can use this act of faith to encourage someone else who may be ready to accept Christ.

Paul exhorts all believers to unite, for we are all of "one Lord, one faith, one baptism" (Ephesians 4:5). Regardless of our particular beliefs regarding the mode of baptism, it is important for all Christians to seek unity as representatives of Christ's body. We believe the source of unity is the truth of God's Word, and we pray that baptism will be a place of unity, not division, among believers (John 17:17-21).

Who is permitted to baptize individuals at First Church of Christ?
You can choose to be baptized by any pastor or other Christian believer.

At what age should a child be baptized?
Young children can take the New Believers class when they are nine years old. We understand that each child is different and can come to faith at different times - some young and others older. Children are innocent and their faith is an example to us all (Matthew 19:14). It's important that each child has knowledge and understanding about the important issues of faith, confession, repentance, salvation, and the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38) before submitting to Christ and being baptized. As a community of faith we realize our important role in the spiritual development of each child.

We also realize Christian parents play the most vital role in the spiritual maturity of their child. If a child is younger than nine years old, and the parent feels they have reached the "age of accountability" and should be baptized, they can fill out a request and summit it the elders for their review. After speaking to the parents and the child, the elders and pastors will determine if the child should be baptized or encouraged to wait. This form can be obtained from the children's department at First Church.