baptismal lessons

Jezreel Baptist Church

LESSONS ON

Name of Candidate: _________________________

Name of Instructor: __________________________

JEZREEL BAPTIST CHURCH Lessons on Believers’ Baptism…........2 =======================================================

Table of Contents

Lessons: #1 What is Baptism . . . (p. 2)

#2 Rights and Responsibilities of a Member (p. 5)

#3 Basics on the Lord’s Supper . . (p. 7)

#4 Baptists Distinctives . . . (p. 10)

JBC ARTICLES OF FAITH . . . (p. 13)

JBC church Covenant . . . (p. 15)


Baptismal Class #1 WHAT is BAPTISM?

It means 'to immerse; to dip; it is a ceremony in the OT for cleansing.

WHY Baptize a person?1. It is a command from Jesus (Matt. 28:19-20)2. It is a command from the apostles (Acts 2:38)3. It is a public confession for all to see one's faith4. It is the symbolism of our Salvation. (Rom.6:3-5)

a. We are dead with Christb. We are buried with Himc. We are resurrected with Him

WHO should be Baptized? (see Acts 8:36-39)

1. Those who are saved-who received Jesus as their Savior.

2. Those who know the meaning of Baptism.3. Those who are willing to follow Christ through water

Baptism.

HOW should be baptized?Manner of Baptism

1. Sprinkling - from Roman Catholic Church2. Pouring - from other protestant churches3. Immersion - the appropriate representation of Rom.6:3-

5a. When we come to the water we are coming to Him in

Salvation and the sense of willingnessb. When we are to submerge we are buried in Christ

with our sins


c. When we are to rise from water we are risen with a new life in Christ and our sins remained buried

d. When we are to walk out of the water we are walking in the newness of life

e. When we are to be ushered by the brethren we are to be helped in our Christian living by the church

f. When we are to be hand-shaken by the brethren we are to be welcome in the local church and be a part of the fellowship and membership

OTHER IMPORTANT NOTES:

1. Baptism cannot save any person.2. Baptism is only for the saved people.3. Infants should not be baptized because:

a. They don't know the meaning of Baptismb. They don't have the willingnessc. They have not yet received the Lord Jesus as

their Savior4. Candidates should be interviewed and they need to

give their testimony to the brethren.

- in Jezreel Baptist Church, this is being held during the last Wednesday Prayer Meeting before the Baptismal Service.


Baptismal Class #2

Rights & Responsibilities of a Member

As a Member of JBC, you have the RIGHT:1. To be FED by the WORD of GOD.2. To JOIN the HOLY COMMUNION.3. To be COUNSELED by the Pastor.4. To VOTE in the Business Meeting of the Local

Church.5. To RECEIVE benevolence from the Church.

As a Member of JBC, you also have the RESPONSIBILITY:

1. To ATTEND all corporate meetings of the Church. (Hebrews 10:25)

a. Worship Serviceb. Sunday Schoolc. Prayer Meetingd. Business Meetingse. Group Meetings

2. To SUPPORT the Needs of the Church. (1 Cor. 16:1-

2)a. Title – Malachi 3:10b. Love offering – 2 Corinthians c. Missions

3. To KEEP the unity of the Church in the Bond of

Peace. (Ephesians 4:2,3)a. In Fellowshipb. In Camaraderiec. Not in bitterness and strife


4. To HELP the brethren in time of need. (Galatians

6:10)a. Pray themb. Comfort themc. Support themd. Encourage them

5. To be SUBMISSIVE to the Pastors and other church

leaders. (Hebrews 13:7,17)a. Pray for them (1 Thess. 5:25, 2 Thess. 3:1,

Heb. 13:18)b. Respect them (1 Tim. 5:12,13)c. Give them double honor (1 Tim. 5:12,

Galatians 6:6)


Baptismal Class #3

BASICS ON THE LORD’S SUPPER

The Lord's Supper is one of the two pictorial ordinances of a New Testament Church. That is, it pictures something. As we have seen, baptism pictures the death, burial and resurrection of Christ. The Lord's Supper is a picture of the broken body and shed blood of Christ when He died on the cross for us.

I. THE MEANING OF THE LORD"S SUPPER. The Lord's Supper, something called Communion is a memorial supper. It is taken to remember our Savior, Jesus Christ (Luke 22:19). The unleavened bread pictures the body that was given for us (1 Corinthians 11:24). The fruit of the vine pictures the blood that was shed for our salvation. It is not a way of having our sin's forgiven. Receiving the bread and the fruit of the vine does not bestow any special grace upon us.

II. THE ELEMENTS OF THE Lord's Supper 1. The Unleavened Bread The Lord's Supper took place at the end of the Passover meal. Passover had been observed by Israel since they came out of Egypt. The only bread that God said to use during this feast was UNLEAVENED BREAD (Matthew 26:17), which was bread made without YEAST. LEAVEN or YEAST is used in the BIBLE as a picture of SIN. Since this bread was a picture of the body of Christ, it had without leaven. You will notice that Jesus broke the bread. This is also a picture of HIS BODY as it was broken, first with the


CROWN OF THORNS on HIS HEAD, then the whip on HIS BACK, then the nails through HIS HANDS and FEET and finally the spears in HIS side. 2. The Fruit of the Vine Jesus used the term FRUIT OF THE VINE (Matthew 26:29) when He spoke of what was in the cup. He did not use the word WINE or GRAPE JUICE. Actually fruit of the vine could be fermented grape juice. It could not be anything else, like water, or milk, or tomato juice. This fruit of the vine was a picture of the blood of Christ that came from HIS HEAD, HIS NECK, HIS BACK, HIS HANDS, HIS FEET and HIS SIDE. BLOOD that was shed ( not SPILLED as in an accident) for the forgiveness of our sins (Matthew 26:28)

III. HOW OFTEN SHOULD WE OBSERVE THE Lord's SUPPER?

If observed the Lord's Supper was a means of getting our sins forgiven, we would want to take it every day. Since it is a memorial supper, we want to take it often enough to be meaningful (1 Corinthians 11:26) but not so often that it becomes routine. The fact is, the Lord did not tell us how to take it. So, each church must decide how often to observe it. We, at Jezreel Baptist Church, practice the Lord's Supper every first Sunday of the month; not once a year nor once every week.

IV. Who should Observe the Lord's Supper?1. Those who are saved believers.2. Those who are baptized through water baptism.3. Those who are member of a local church.4. Those who are spiritually clean.


V. Who should NOT Observe the Lord's Supper?

1. Those who are not saved.2. Those who are not baptized.3. Those who are living in sin. (1 Cor.5: 11)4. Those who are cause division in the church. (1

Cor. 11: 18)

VI. How should we observe the Lord's Supper?1. We should look backward -remembering the

suffering and death of Christ. (1 Cor. 11: 24,25)2. We should look forward -observing the Lord's

Supper until the coming of His return. (1 Cor. 11: 26)

3. We should look sideward -we observe all together as one (1 Cor. 11:33)

4. We should look inward -we should examine and confess our sins first to be worthy to partake. (1 Cor. 11: 28)


Baptismal Class #4

BAPTISTS DISTINCTIVES

BIBLICAL AUTHORITY

The Bible is the final authority in all matters of belief and practice because the Bible is inspired by God and bears the absolute authority of God Himself. Whatever the Bible affirms, Baptists accept as true. No human opinion or decree of any church group can override the Bible. Even creeds and confessions of faith, which attempt to articulate the theology of Scripture. do not carry Scripture's inherent authority. 2 Timothy 3:15-17; 1 Thessalonians 2:13; 2 Peter 1:20,21

AUTHONOMY OF THE LOCAL CHURCH

The local church is an independent body accountable to the Lord Jesus Christ, the head of the church. All human authority for governing the local church resides within the local church itself. Thus the church is autonomous, or self-governing. No religious hierarchy outside the local church may dictate a church's beliefs or practices. Autonomy does not mean isolation. A Baptist church may fellowship with other churches around mutual interests and in association tie, but a Baptist church cannot be a "member" of any other body.Colossians 1:18; 2 Corinthians 8:1-5,19,23

PRIESTHOOD OF THE BELIEVER

"Priest" is define as "one authorized to perform the scared rites of a religion, especially as a mediatory agent between humans and God. ”Every believer today is a priest


of God and may enter into His presence in prayer directly through our Great High Priest, Jesus Christ. No other mediator is needed between God and people. As priest, we can study God's word, pray for others, and offer spiritual worship to God. We all have equal access to God--whether we are a preacher or not.1 Peter 2:5,9; Revelation 5:9,10

TWO ORDINANCES

The local church should practice two ordinances:1. Baptism of believer by immersion in water, identifying the

individual with Christ in His death, burial and resurrection.2. The Lord's Supper , or Holy Communion; commemorating

His death for our sins. Matthew 28:19,20; 1 Corinthians 11:23-32

INDIVIDUAL SOUL LIBERTY

Every individual whether a believer or an unbeliever, has the liberty to choose what he believes is right in the religious realm. No one should be forced to insist to any belief against his will. Baptists have always opposed religious persecution. However, this liberty does not exempt one from responsibilities to the Word of God or from accountability to God Himself.Romans 14;5, 12:2, 2 Corinthians 4:2; Titus 1:9

SAVED, BAPTIZED CHURCH MEMBERSHIP

Local Church membership is restricted to individuals who give a believable testimony of personal faith in Christ and have publicly identified themselves with Him in believer's baptism. When members of a local church are


believers, a oneness in Christ exists, and the member can endeavor to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.Acts 2:41-47; 1 Corinthians 12:12; 2 Corinthians 6:14; Ephesians 4:3

TWO OFFICES IN THE CHURCH

The Bible mandates only two offices in the church- pastor and deacons. The three terms-"pastor", "elders", and "bishop", or "overseers"--all refer to the same office. The two offices of pastor and deacon exist within the local church, not as hierarchy outside or over the local church.

SEPERATION OF CHURCH AND STATE

God established both the church and the civil government, and He gave each its own distinct sphere of operation. The government's purposes are outlined in Romans 13:1-7 and the churches purposes in Matthew 28:19 and 20. Neither should control the other, nor should there be an alliance between the two. Christians in a free society can property influence government toward righteousness, which is not the same as a denomination or group of churches controlling the government.Matthew 22;15-22, Acts 15;17-29


Articles of Faith - Jezreel Baptist Church, Inc.

We believe there is one and only one living and true God, and that in the unity of the Godhead there are three persons, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit (Exodus 20:2, 3; 1 Corinthians 8:6; Titus 2:13).

We believe in the inspiration, inerrancy, authority, and sufficiency of the Scriptures, consisting of the sixty-six books of the Old and New Testaments (2 Timothy 3:16,17; 2 Peter 1:19-21).

We believe the Biblical account of the creation of the universe through the direct and immediate creative acts of God (Genesis 1-2).

We believe in the unique creation of man in the image and likeness of God and that physical life is His sovereign gift. The deliberate killing of the unborn, the sick, disabled or elderly is wrong and an abomination before Him (Genesis 1:27; 9:6; 30:1,2; Exodus 20:13; Deuteronomy 27:25; Job 1:21).

We believe that all men are sinners by nature and in conduct, and cannot save themselves (Genesis 3:1-6; Romans 3:10-19 and 5:12).

We believe in the virgin birth of Jesus Christ and that He is both fully God and fully man (Genesis 3:15; Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:18-25; Philippians 2:5-11).

We believe in the substitutionary death of Christ and in His literal, bodily resurrection from the dead (Romans 5:19; 2 Corinthians 5:21; 1 Corinthians 15:3-5).

We believe in salvation by grace alone, through faith in the finished, redemptive work of Christ alone, and that no works


of man, however good, need to be or can be added for salvation, evidence of salvation appears in the holy fruits of repentance, faith and newness of life (Romans 3:23-25; Ephesians 2:8,9; John 3:16,17; Hebrews 10:10-12; 2 Corinthians 5:17; Galatians 5:22-23; 1 John 5:1).

We believe in the eternal salvation of all who put their faith in Christ; that all who are truly born again are kept secure by God the Father (Philippians 1:6; John 3:3-8; 10:28, 29; Romans 8:35-39; Jude 1).

We believe in the primacy of the Church as an ordained institution of God with Christ as its Head. We recognize the authority of the local church and subscribe to the ordinances of baptism by immersion and the Lord’s Supper for all those who profess Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior (Matthew 16:18, 19; Ephesians 2:20; Colossians 1:18; Matthew 28:19; 1 Corinthians 11:23-32).

We believe in the reality and personality of the Devil or Satan, the enemy of God and man, and that he is destined for eternal judgment in the Lake of Fire (Matthew 4:1-11; 2 Corinthians 4:4; Revelation 20:10).

We believe in the bodily resurrection, immortality and rapture of all believers at Christ’s imminent coming and that His coming is pre-millennial (Acts 1:11; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; 1 Corinthians 15:42-52; Revelation 3:10; 22:20).

We believe in the existence of a literal heaven and a literal hell and that all men spend eternity in one of the two places (Luke 16:25; Revelation 20:14,15).


JBC Church Covenant

Having been led as we believe by the Spirit of God, to receive the Lord Jesus Christ as our Savior and on the profession of our faith, having been baptized in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, we do now, in the presence of God and this assembly most solemnly and joyfully enter into a covenant with one another as one body in Christ.

We engage, therefore, by the aid of the Holy Spirit to walk together in Christian love; to strive for the advancement of this church in knowledge, holiness and comfort; to promote its prosperity and spirituality; to sustain its worship, ordinances, discipline and doctrines; and to contribute cheerfully and regularly to the support of the ministry, the expenses of the church, the relief of the poor and the spread of the gospel through all nations.

We also engage to maintain daily and personal devotions; to train our children according to the scriptures; to lead our kindred and acquaintances in the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ; to walk circumspectly in the world; to be just in our dealings, faithful in our engagements and exemplary in our deportment; to avoid all gossiping, dissension, slander and excessive anger; to abstain from the use of, or sale of alcohol or intoxicating drinks; homosexual activity, heterosexual immorality, pornography, physical and drug abuse, and all other actions, beliefs and deeds which are contrary to the teachings of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ; and to be zealous in our efforts to advance the Kingdom of our Savior.


We further engage to watch over one another in brotherly love; to remember one another in prayer; to aid one another in sickness and distress; to cultivate Christian sympathy in feeling and Christian courtesy in speech; and to be slow to take offense, but always ready for reconciliation and mindful of the rules of our Savior to secure it without delay.

We moreover engage that when we move from this place we will, as soon as possible, unite with some other church where we can carry out the spirit of this covenant and the principles of God’s word.

Jezreel Baptist Church, Inc.3945 Bayabas Ext., NAPICO, Manggahan, Pasig City

Tel. No.: 945-9138

These lessons were made for the JBC Baptismal Class 2015Prepared by:

Rev. Jonathan V. Arroyo

baptismal lessons

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