Morning Worship - 10.30 am
Worship at Bethany is an incredible experience. More than a song and a sermon - we gather each week to lift our voices together to God and hear from Him through music and His Word. Bethany’s style is decidedly contemporary, but we're grounded in the timeless teaching of scripture.

 
Baptism PDF Print E-mail

Baptism is the sign of becoming a Christian. In the earliest days of the church Baptism was a recognised sign of a change of direction and today we continue to use it for the same purpose.

Baptism is a public demonstration of someone becoming a Christian. Those who are getting baptised want everyone to know that they have become a Christian, that they have turned away from the way they used to live and want to follow Jesus.

Jesus commanded baptism
The risen Christ gave us our marching orders—the Great Commission. When you are baptised as a believer, it is Jesus you are obeying.
"All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you"
(Matthew 28:18-20)

Jesus himself was baptised
John the Baptist tried to prevent him. Unlike everyone else Jesus had done nothing wrong, He didn’t need to repent, nor did he need to be cleansed from sin. But Jesus identified with us in baptism, just as he did later at the cross, dying in our place.
Jesus was baptised, not because he needed forgiveness, but out of obedience to God. When you are baptised, you identify with the obedience of Jesus.
'Jesus replied “ Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfil all righteousness.” Then John consented.'
(Matthew 3:15)

The Apostles taught Baptism
New believers need to be baptised. Peter made this plain at Pentecost, on the day the Church was born.
"Repent and be baptised, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit."
(Acts 2:38)

The first believers were baptised
3000 new Christians were baptised after Peters first sermon (Acts 2:41). Philip baptised believers in Samaria (Acts 8:12) and also the Ethiopian official (Acts 8:38). Paul was baptised after his dramatic conversion (Acts 9:18) and then he baptised others including Lydia and the Philippian jailer (Acts 16:15,33).