Baptism
The Christ Apostolic Church WOSEM considers Baptism to be a person’s first step in Christianity after one has accepted Christ as personal Lord and Savior. Hence it is essential for those who accept Jesus as their Lord to go through biblical teachings to explain to them the expectations of Christ for the new life into which they are being born.
Water Baptism is the baptism into repentance (Mat. 3:11). This is a person’s first step into the Christian life. After this act of repentance follows the continuous baptism of the Holy Spirit as He makes one dead to sin and gives life to holiness. Through Holy Spirit baptism the redeemed sinner is incorporated into the spiritual body of Christ.
The meaning and efficacy of water baptism can best be understood only in the light of the redemptive death and resurrection of Christ. So as Jesus likened his death to baptism in Luke. 12:50 and Mk. 10:38, so must you show the world that you are dead to sin and resurrected to holiness. Jesus put upon himself all our sins, died and was buried with the load of our sins. On the third day he rose again. So must you signify your love for Christ by dying and being buried to your sins [by being deepen into water] and being raised into a new life in Christ Jesus [by being raised up from the water]. The blood of Jesus will mix with the water. The Lord Himself will bless the water and wash your sins away.
It is the commandment of Jesus. See Matthew. 28: 19-20. Jesus Himself did it; although He had no sin, He set Himself as an example for all of us to follow. Matthew 3:13-17.
The Christ Apostolic Church WOSEM considers Baptism to be a person’s first step in Christianity after one has accepted Christ as personal Lord and Savior. Hence it is essential for those who accept Jesus as their Lord to go through biblical teachings to explain to them the expectations of Christ for the new life into which they are being born.
NOTE:
Please note that no local church will baptize any person who is not at least 12 years of age. It is essential for anyone who is professing Jesus as their Lord and Savior to fully know and understand what they are confessing.
Based on the examples left for us by Christ, John the Baptist, and many disciples, our church recognizes only the baptism that is conducted by immersion—in a river, pool or stream.
At the place of Baptism, the Pastor, Evangelist, or ordained designate shall ask you again if you accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. Upon your confession that you accept Christ as your Lord and Savior, you shall be immersed into the water (Mk. 3:16), once (not 3 times) in the name of God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost (Mt. 28:19). Once you are raised up again, you are now a new person in Christ and you are recognized as a full member of the church. Acts 8:33 & 39.
If at the time you joined this church you have been baptized in a different church, your baptism shall be deemed valid as long as it was done by immersion. However if your baptism was not by immersion, you should request to be baptized again in accordance with the method stipulated above. John the Baptist immersed converts and Christ Himself was immersed.
Once you accept Christ as your Lord and Savior, you are qualified to be baptized. The reasons why the church requires that you attend a baptismal class and pass a written or oral test are: (1) to prepare you for the step-by-step events of the baptismal process, (2) reiterate to you that it is a biblical requirement, and (3) prepare you for what you will experience as you become a full member of the body of Christ. Only the Pastor, Evangelist, or any other pastoral designate shall conduct baptism.
You’ve been buried to sin and raised to life in Christ; the evidence of being born again must now begin to show forth in your life. (Romans 6:14).
To be baptized by the Holy Spirit is to receive the gift of the Holy Spirit and for the fruit of the Holy Spirit to continue to grow in the life of a Christian.
It is expedient that Christians receive the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:1-4). Repent and be baptized and receive the forgiveness of sins, then you will receive the Holy Spirit.
To know that you have received the Holy Spirit, you will receive the sign as the first Christians received on the day of Pentecost in the upper room—speaking in new tongues. You will also receive the boldness to witness to others. It is the spirit of God that can help you witness that Jesus is Lord. More teachings on Holy Spirit baptism will be taught frequently in the church.
Read: 1 Cor. 2:1-end; 1 Cor. 12:3; Rom. 8:9, 11-13, 14, 16, 23; Acts 2:17-18, Acts 19:1-6; 38-39; Eph. 4:29-30.