New Life

Romans 6:1-11

Baptism

The Symbol For Christianity

Blessed Be God... (God You Are Very Great!)

Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name!  Psalm 100:4

All your works shall give thanks to you, O Lord, and all your saints shall bless you!  Psalm 145:10

Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits...  Psalm 103:2-3

Sing to the Lord, bless his name; tell of his salvation from day to day. Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples!  Psalm 96:2-3

Bless the Lord, O my soul! O Lord my God, you are very great! You are clothed with splendor and majesty...  Psalm 104:1

Therefore David blessed the Lord in the presence of all the assembly. And David said: "Blessed are you, O Lord, the God of Israel our father, forever and ever."  I Chronicles 29:10

I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth.  Psalm 34:1

I will extol you, my God and King, and bless your name forever and ever. Every day I will bless you and praise your name forever and ever. My mouth will speak the praise of the Lord, and let all flesh bless his holy name forever and ever.  Psalm 145:1-2, 21

Praise the Lord! Praise, O servants of the Lord, praise the name of the Lord! Blessed be the name of the Lord from this time forth and forevermore!
Psalm 113:1-2

Horizon Mission Weekend 2012

Baptism Questions and Answers - HCC

How Do I Register for Baptism?

You may do one of the following to register for Horizon's next Baptism Celebration: Call the church office at 757-488-6339 or complete a Communication Card on a Sunday morning during the 10:00 AM or 11:15 AM worship experience.

When And Where Do Baptisms Happen?
At this time Horizon offers baptism services at various times in the year. We baptize at the church property on Sunday mornings after the 10:00 AM worship experience. This baptism takes place as a part of the beginning of the 11:15 AM worship experience. We also offer the opportunity to be baptized at the beach in the month of August.

What Is The Meaning of Baptism?
It illustrates Christ's death, burial, and resurrection. "...Christ died for our sins ...he was buried ...and he rose again."
(1 Corinthians 15:34)
"For when you were baptized, you were buried with Christ, and in baptism you were also raised with Christ." (Colossians 2:12)

It illustrates your new life as a Christian.
When someone becomes a Christian he becomes a brand new person inside. The old life has passed away and a new life has begun! (2 Corinthians 5:17) By our baptism then, we were buried with him and shared his death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead so that we may live a new life! (Romans 6:4).

Yet baptism doesn't make you a Christian. Only your faith in Christ does that. Baptism is like a wedding ring; it's the outward sign of the commitment you have made in your heart. (see Ephesians 2:8-9)

Who Should Be Baptized?

The Bible says that every person who has made the personal decision to accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior should be baptized. A believer is someone who has realized that their sin has separated them from God. They have given up all personal efforts to reach God through good works or religious activity. They have concluded that Jesus Christ's death on the cross and resurrection from the dead for their sins is the only thing that can bridge the gap between themselves and God. A believer is someone who has decided to trust Christ alone for salvation. If you have come to that point in your spiritual journey, then you should be baptized. (see Acts 2:41; 8:12-13)

 

Why Should I Be Baptized?

First and foremost, it is to follow the example set by Jesus. At that time Jesus came from Nazareth and was baptized by John in the river. (Mark 1:9).
In addition, Christ commanded it. Jesus said, "Go then, to all people everywhere and make them my disciples, baptize them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and then teach them to obey everything that I have commanded you." (Matthew 28:19-20)

It demonstrates that you are a believer, a follower of Christ.

We know that we have come to know Him, if we obey His commands, (1 John 2:3)

 

When Should I Be Baptized?

As soon as you can after you become a believer.

Those who believed were baptized that day.
(Acts 2:41)
Then Philip began with the Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus. As they traveled along the road, they came to some water, and the man said, Look, here is water. Why shouldn't I be baptized right now? Philip said, If you believe with all your heart, you may. The man answered, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. So they went down into the water and Philip baptized him. (Acts 8:35-38). Yet it doesn't have to occur the moment you believe. The Bible teaches that there is no reason to delay your baptism. After becoming a believer, you should participate in the next available opportunity the church provides for baptism. If you wait until you feel you are a good enough believer, you will never feel ready for baptism.

 

Why Is Immersion Baptism Important?

It is the method used in Jesus baptism.
As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. (Matthew 3:16)

Every baptism mentioned in the Bible is by immersion.
Then both Philip and the man went down into the water and Philip baptized him. When they came up out of the water (Acts 8:38-39).

The word baptize means to dip under water.

Immersion best symbolizes Christ's burial and resurrection. (see Romans 6:1-11)

The founders of the major denominations emphasized immersion. Martin Luther, founder of the Lutheran denomination, said: I would have those who are to be baptized to be entirely immersed, as the word imports and the mystery signifies. John Calvin, founder of the Presbyterian denomination, said: The word baptize signifies to immerse. It is certain that immersion was the practice of the ancient church. John Wesley, the founder of the Methodist and Wesleyan denominations, said: Buries with Him alludes to baptizing by immersion according to the custom of the first church.

 

What If I Was Baptized As An Infant?

In the Bible, we see parents bringing their children to Jesus. He held them and prayed for them and told us to welcome them. But he did not baptize them, and he did not tell anyone else to baptize them.
So if baptism signifies salvation (as the Bible teaches), only people who have intentionally received salvation should experience baptism. Thus, the Bible would indicate that baptism is for people who have made a decision to follow Christ. If you have not experienced a believer's baptism, even though you have experienced baptism as an infant, the full meaning and significance of baptism has yet to take place in your life. We strongly encourage you to be baptized as an adult believer in Christ. Some churches practice a baptism of confirmation for children. This is a time when parents pledge their commitment to raise their child according to Christian values and beliefs. While a very meaningful event, this is not Christian baptism; it is not mentioned in the Bible.
Adult baptism doesn't belittle your childhood baptism; it is a fulfillment of your parents hopes when they had you baptized.

 

Does Horizon Baptize Infants and Children?

We as a church believe in believer's baptism. We believe that when a person makes the personal decision to accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior they should make the decision to follow up with baptism by immersion in obedience to the example of Jesus Christ and as a testimony of what has happened in their life. Because of this belief we do not baptize infants but will baptize older children who have learned about Jesus Christ and make the decision to accept Jesus Christ.

We do however believe that it is Biblical that parents commit their children and themselves to following Christ and living a life as a family that honors God. We as a church host a "Parent and Child Dedication" time in our worship services as needed. This is a time when parents can commit themselves and their children to following after Jesus Christ and seeking to become totally committed followers of Jesus Christ.

 

Is There A Follow-Up To Baptism?

Baptism is a biblical mandate for followers of Jesus Christ. As Christ followers it is important to learn the foundations of the Christian faith, to connect with other Christ followers and to begin serving in the church. We want you to be a part of worship on the weekends, become an active part of a Community Group and begin serving in order to help others experience God's love found in Jesus Christ. We as a church will help you grow in your walk with Jesus Christ.

Good Thoughts About A Welcoming Worship Atmosphere

Is Your Church A Welcoming Church?

Psalm 66:20

Blessed be God, Who has not turned away my prayer, nor His lovingkindness from me.

Psalm 147:5

Great is our Lord and abundant in strength; His understanding is infinite.

Chosen

Blessed is the nation (person, family, community, country, school) whose God is the Lord, the people he chose for his inheritance. Psalm 33:12

Jesus speaking to His followers.
You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit —fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name.  John 15:15

Great Read About Praying For Your Country

The Prayer of Jehoshophat for America

Great Book

Read this book before you vote.  It will lead you to think about our Founding Fathers and freedom in a new light.Forged In Faith

A Prayer

Dear God, Help me be responsible with your blessings. Forgive me for squandering your blessings. Thank you for freedom. Protect and guide government leaders. Bring renewal and revival to the U.S. Begin in me. Forgive us for the pain we caused to the natives. Forgive us for often times being so self-centered as individuals and often times as a country. Thank You for your grace and mercy. Thank you for the positive difference we as a nation have been able to bring about in peoples lives, in the states and internationally. God, thank You for today. I am yours, for now. I know I will seek to take control again. "Steve is Lord" is often my favorite quote. God forgive me, now empower me. I do know that "Jesus Christ is Lord". To You be the glory. Amen.   

Happy Father's Day

Great Heart - Where Are You Going?

Where are you going, Great-Heart,
With your eager face and your fiery grace?
Where are you going, Great-Heart?"
"To fight a fight with all my might,
For truth and justice, God and right,
To grace all life with His fair Light."
Then God go with you, Great-Heart!
Where are you going, Great-Heart?
"To cleanse the earth of noisome things,
To draw from life its poison stings,
To give free play to freedom's wings."
Then God go with you, Great-Heart!
Where are you going, Great-Heart?
"To lift today above the past,
To make tomorrow sure and fast,
To nail God's colors to the mast."
Then God go with you, Great-Heart!

From Today's Calendar Thought

The gem cannot be polished without friction, nor the child of God perfected without adversity.

Good Morning Thought

I will bless the holy name of God with all my heart. Yes, I will bless the Lord and not forget the glorious things he does for me.   Psalm 103:1-2  The Living Bible

Life Changing

"On the one hand, you've got religions that say God is so immanent in all things that incarnation is normal. If you are Buddhist or Hindu, God is immanent in everything. On the other hand, religions like Islam and Judaism say God is so transcendent over all things that incarnation is impossible. But Christianity is unique. It doesn't say incarnation is normal, but it doesn't say it's impossible. It says God is so immanent that it is possible, but he is so transcendent that that the incarnation of God in the person of Jesus Christ is a history-altering, life-transforming, paradign-shattering event."

Tim Keller, interview in Relevant magazine.

Three Must Practice For Leaders

Three Core Leadership Practices

Christianity Real Symbol