Baptism
At PCEA Neema Church, baptism holds profound significance. It marks the start of our faith journey and ushers us into the Church. As the inaugural Sacrament of Initiation, it frees us from sin and heralds our rebirth as God's children. Through baptism, we become integral members of Christ's body, intertwining with the Church's mission and sharing in her purposeful endeavours. It's our symbolic threshold to a transformative spiritual journey.
In the Bible, we identify a pattern of God using water to symbolize salvation for his people. In
Genesis 1, God brings order into the creation by separating the waters above from the waters
below (Genesis 1:6-8) and dry land is formed from the chaotic waters. In Genesis 8:1, we read
about the deliverance of Noah’s family from the floods. The pattern follows through Exodus 2
with the rescue of baby Moses from River Nile; the deliverance of the Israelites through the Red
Sea (Exodus 14;16) and as the Israelites emerged from the desert to enter the promised land, they
crossed River Jordan (Joshua 3:2-4)
This history of God using water for the salvation of his people continues in the New Testament.
In Matthew 3:1-4, John the Baptist proclaims the coming of the Messiah, calling for repentance
and baptizing Israelites in River Jordan, a sign of deliverance, restoration and commitment to the
God of Israel. This water baptism culminates in the baptism of Jesus Christ himself in the River
Jordan (Matthew 3:13-17). As Jesus emerged from the river, a voice is heard from heaven
declaring, ‘This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased’ and just before Jesus ascended
into heaven, he said, ‘Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing 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. And surely, I am with you, to the end of the age. (Matthew 28:19-20)
This is the background to the understanding of the sacrament of baptism. Through it, believers
identify themselves with the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ; an end to a life of separation
(death) through sin from God and the beginning of a new journey of faithfulness, commitment
and service to the Lord. Jesus Christ instructed the church everywhere to teach his Word, make
disciples, and baptize them. Through baptism, one makes a personal admission of faith and
discipleship. Hence, water baptism is an outward testimony of the inward transformation of a
believer’s life, an admission and submission to the authority and obedience to the lordship of
God, to trust and hope in Him eternally.
To have your child baptized at PCEA Neema Church, the first step is to speak with your district elder and inform them of your intention. The elder will guide you through the baptismal process and help you prepare spiritually and practically for this important step of faith.
Baptism is more than a ceremony—it’s a sacred act of dedication and commitment. Parents are encouraged to understand the biblical foundation of baptism, as taught by the church, and to reflect on the responsibility of raising their child in the Christian faith. Once you’ve connected with your elder, you will be guided through any preparatory steps required and scheduled for the next baptism service.
If you are an adult seeking baptism, we rejoice with you as you take this significant step in your faith journey. Baptism is a public declaration of your commitment to follow Jesus Christ and live in obedience to His teachings. It symbolizes the washing away of sin, the death of the old self, and the beginning of a new life in Christ.
To begin the process, please speak with your district elder and express your desire to be baptized. Your elder will walk alongside you, providing spiritual guidance and helping you prepare through prayer, study, and understanding the meaning of baptism as taught in Scripture. Once prepared, your baptism will be scheduled during an upcoming service, where the church community will joyfully witness and support your commitment to Christ.
