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Believer’s baptism is a special and meaningful moment in a person’s journey of faith. It is a time when we experience God’s presence and blessing, and when we publicly declare our personal faith in Jesus Christ as Lord.
Baptism marks the end of our old way of life and the beginning of new life in Christ. It is usually carried out by full immersion in water, symbolising repentance, forgiveness, and new birth. It shows our unity with Christ in his death and resurrection, and is a public witness to God’s call on our lives.
Most Christian churches recognise baptism as an important moment of God’s grace and human response. However, not all practise believer’s baptism. Some baptise infants, with parents making promises on their behalf. These promises are often later confirmed by the individual when they are old enough to make their own commitment.
Baptists respect and welcome people who have come to faith through different baptismal traditions. At the same time, Baptists believe that believer’s baptism best reflects the pattern found in Scripture:
Jesus set the example – Jesus himself was baptised by John the Baptist (Matthew 3:13–17; Mark 1:9–11; Luke 3:21–22).
Jesus gave the command – In the Great Commission, Jesus told his followers to make disciples and baptise them in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:18–20).
The early church followed this pattern – On the Day of Pentecost, Peter called people to repent and be baptised in the name of Jesus Christ, receiving forgiveness and the gift of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:37–38).
Throughout the book of Acts, baptism is consistently linked with personal faith and commitment, showing that believer’s baptism was a central part of life in the early church.
Communion or (the Lord's Supper) as a symbolic ordinance commemorating Jesus' sacrifice, with the bread representing His broken body and the wine His shed blood, to be taken in remembrance of Him as commanded in the Bible. At Abbeyhill we usually do this on a monthly basis. It's a memorial and expression of faith, obedience, and fellowship, not a means to earn forgiveness, as Jesus' sacrifice was once for all.
What is a baptist church?
Baptist churches are found in almost every country in the world. As part of the worldwide Christian Church, Baptists belong to one of the largest Christian families, alongside traditions such as Anglicans, Methodists, and Reformed churches.
For Baptists, the idea of family is central. A church is not primarily a building, but a community of believers committed to Jesus Christ, to one another, and to serving God in the world.
Within this Baptist family, all members are equal. Everyone has a part to play in God’s work, and there is no hierarchy of bishops or priests with authority over others. Equality, however, does not mean that everyone has the same role.
Each local Baptist church chooses its own leaders, called ministers, who are responsible for preaching, teaching, and pastoral care. They work alongside deacons, and together they form the leadership team of the church.
Baptists place strong emphasis on the local church. Each church is self-governing and self-supporting, and can range in size from a few dozen members to several hundred. While each church is independent, Baptist churches believe in working together and supporting one another. For this reason, they join together at regional, national, and international levels to strengthen fellowship and mission among Baptists worldwide.
More info
More information about baptist churches and christianity can be found at the Baptist Union’s website!