Baptisms at Immanuel Fellowship

A Guide for Ministers

Understanding the role of Baptism
Beginning in 2010 Immanuel Fellowship has given more significance to Baptism as the conscious beginning and incorporation of new believers the life of the Fellowship. When we say conscious beginning we are saying that the Fellowship is putting more Biblical content prior to and after baptism so that individual believers understand not only the significance of Baptism but also the responsibilities that accompany it.
Baptism incorporates the believer into Christ and his Body the Church. Just as we belong to Christ so we belong to one another.

“For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ ( Galatians 3:27);
“The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body”
(1 Corinthians 12:13; see also Romans 12:3-8)
Baptism is our rite of passage into membership with the Church whose head is Christ. Our congregation, Immanuel Fellowship, is the local representation of that Body and within it we exercise our distinct and individual functions (or ministry gifts) as members of the Body.

The Baptismal Candidates Seminar explains not only the meaning and the mode of Baptism but also includes teaching on prayer, church attendance, witnessing and giving. We also give more emphasis to Baptism as the individual believer’s introduction and incorporation into the local body of believers which is Immanuel Fellowship. After Baptism the candidates are introduced to the Fellowship in one of the services and are encouraged to join a discipleship program
Types of Baptismal Candidates
Some Baptismal candidates are children of Christian parents who may or may not have undergone a distinct crisis experience called conversion. Baptism for them is a coming of age and a public declaration of their faith and their formal introduction to the life of the Fellowship. Other candidates are young people or adults who have undergone a conversion experience either in the church or in some other church and now want to indicate through Baptism a public affirmation of their faith and a desire to be incorporated into the Fellowship.
Baptism and the Process of Incorporation into the Fellowship
1. Call to Salvation
In every service a call to salvation is issued. There may or may not be an altar service. Although issued in the congregational setting, we understand the response to the call as private. Therefore no names are recorded.
2. Invitation to Baptism
On the third Sunday the pastor announces that for those who have responded to the call to salvation Baptism is the public affirmation of their private faith. They are invited to a Baptismal Candidates Seminar the following Saturday .
3. Baptismal Candidates Seminar
On the Saturday after the announcement the officiating ministers meet with the candidates and the Primer on Baptism is discussed.
4. Baptism
5. Introduction and Incorporation into the Fellowship
The program of incorporation into the Fellowship includes the following:
• Presentation to the Fellowship during a Sunday worship service.
• Home visitation
• Invitation to join a group or ministry team.
• Invitation to attend Purposeful Discipleship Institute.
Officiating Ministers Decorum
The leading pastor may or may not perform all the parts of the Rite of Baptism. He may participate only up to the Profession of Faith (an affirmation of faith taken from the Apostles Creed), and Associate Pastors then will perform the Rite of Baptism itself. Or he may perform all with the assistance of his Associates.
All members of the Pastoral Team are entitled to perform Baptisms, regardless of gender or paid or volunteer.
Baptism is a very important rite of passage for new believers and the joyousness of the ceremony should not be confused with levity. Officiating ministers should wear the required attire and should step into the water only during Immersion. A formal picture of the candidates with the ministers may be taken for documentation before and after Immersion. Only after photographs have been taken and the ceremony is formally ended will ministers join in swimming.
Officiating Ministers Attire
With the new understanding of Baptism as a rite of passage and a public affirmation of faith, officiating ministers to the Baptism need to give it due ceremonial recognition. The formal attire for such occasion in many churches is a White Robe but until then a formal kind of attire such as a Barong Tagalog is acceptable.
Candidates Attire
In some churches white robes are supplied also to each candidate but until such a time that this is made available, all that is required is for the candidates to be decently dressed.
Immersion
Baptism by immersion can be pose problems because depth of water varies. It must be emphasized that the officiating ministers immerse the entire body in water. To do this it is not enough that the arms are used to immerse the candidate’s body into the water. The legs of the ministers must also bend as the candidate is immersed. If there are two ministers, with one on each side, care must be observed that both move together or one will be holding the back of the candidate while the other minister is pushing down.
The Rite of Baptism
1. Scripture Reading (Romans 6:1-11)
2. A short homily on the passage
3. Individual Testimonies
4. Profession of Faith (Apostles Creed)
5. Affirmation to Immanuel Fellowship Statement of Faith and Core Values
6. Signing of the Baptismal Certificate
7. Immersion