Considering 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 Saviour.
This page has been designed to explain baptism and the necessary steps to be baptised at an upcoming service. If you still have questions, please e-mail and one of our leaders will get in touch with you.
We consider it a privilege to walk with you as you take this next step on your spiritual journey.
Who Should Be Baptised?
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 Saviour, then you are ready to be baptised. 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, we would love to walk with you in your journey. Please e-mail the office in the first instance for an appointment to chat through your questions with Pastor Wayne Alexander or Associate Pastor Simon Cragg.
What Baptism Symbolises
Baptism is a way of showing others that you have entered into a relationship with Jesus Christ. It symbolises what took place in your heart at the time of salvation:
- Accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior.
- Shared in His death and resurrection, illustrated by going under the water (dead to your old life), then rising again (new life).
- Were symbolically washed clean and sins were forgiven by His death on the cross.
Because Jesus instructed us to be baptised, baptism is an act of obedience. While it is not necessary for salvation, it demonstrates submission to God. We immerse at PBC 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 recognise 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.
If you would like to be baptised
Please e-mail to register your interest. Those who want to be baptised meet for a conversation with a Pastor or Elder and often gather with others who want to be baptised for a short session to explore together the basics of what baptism means.
Listen to Rev. Wayne Alexander's talk on baptism
In 2007, Rev. Wayne Alexander gave a one-off sermon on Baptism - you can find it here.
