Ministerial Resource No.3_ Practical Instructions For Water Baptism Series

Compiled by: Herman Abrahams (Senior Pastor), Cornerstone Faith Ministries, P.O. Box 740, Westridge 7802, Rep. of South Africa.

E-Mail: Mentorship2003@yahoo.co.uk

Note to the reader:

If you have been blessed by this document, I would be honoured to receive an e-mail from you merely telling me where in the world you are based- I do not need any other information. This is just so that I can have the pleasure of giving thanks to Almighty God that somewhere on the globe the ministry which he has entrusted to me, is blessing the body of Christ and helping to extend the Kingdom of God. Thank you. Herman Abrahams, Cape Town, South Africa.

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PRACTICAL INSTRUCTIONS ASSOCIATED WITH WATER BAPTISM BY IMMERSION

1. WHAT KIND OF CLOTHING DO I NEED TO WEAR WHEN BEING BAPTISED?

LADIES: - Track suit or similar wear.

- Avoid clothing that will cling to your body when wet.

GENTS: - Shorts and T-Shirt or similar wear.

2. WHAT DO I NEED TO BRING WITH ME?

a) Towel.

b) Change of clothing as may be necessary.

3. WILL I BE EXPECTED TO ‘SAY SOMETHING’ AT THE BAPTISMAL SERVICE?

Yes, every baptismal candidate is expected to give a brief testimony as to why he/she is offering him/herself for water baptism. Such testimony could be started along one of the following lines:

“I want to thank the Lord today for what he has done in my life ……………..etc.”

“I am having myself baptised today because I have made Jesus the Lord of my life …………etc.”

4. WHAT TO EXPECT ONCE YOU ARE IN THE WATER.

i) ONCE IN THE WATER, HOW SHOULD I POSITION MYSELF? (How should I stand?).

Stand with your hands placed on top of each other on your chest and bend your knees slightly. (This position will make it easier for the leaders who are doing the baptising to tilt your body over backwards into the water).

ii) WHAT WILL HAPPEN NEXT?

Each of the two church leaders will place one of their hands on top of your hands and their other hand behind your back.

iii) WHAT IS THE FORMULA FOR WATER BAPTISM? (i.e. What will be said by the church leader before I am lowered into the water?).

“……....Baptismal candidate’s name (e.g. ‘Mary’) ………… because of your faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, I now baptise you in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.” *

iv) AFTER THE LEADER HAS SPOKEN THE BAPTISMAL FORMULA, HOW MANY TIMES WILL MY BODY BE IMMERSED (FULLY DIPPED) INTO THE WATER?

Only once.

5. HOW SHOULD I CO-OPERATE WITH THE LEADERS WHO ARE DOING THE BAPTISING?

a) Co-operate fully with them by obeying their instructions.

b) Do not do a back-flip (ie. throw yourself backwards) when the leaders tilt your body over backwards.

* OTHER POSSIBLE FORMULAE

………name………. ………….surname……… BECAUSE YOU HAVE BELIEVED IN JESUS CHRIST AS YOUR LORD & SAVIOUR, I NOW BAPTISE YOU, IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER, THE SON, AND THE HOLY SPIRIT.

OR

………name………. ………….surname……… BECAUSE YOU HAVE ACCEPTED JESUS CHRIST AS YOUR LORD AND SAVIOUR, I NOW BAPTISE YOU, IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER, THE SON, AND THE HOLY SPIRIT.

(See my teaching on "UNDERSTANDING WATER BAPTISM" on sermoncentral.com)