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Baptism in Poland
“Therefore 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 always, to the very end of the age.”
(Matt
28:19-20)
If
you’re a church member…
For our members who visit this site, we
hope that:
1) you find it edifying, and
2) you will send us photos from your church
or region – your services, your seminars, outreaches, etc.
We receive many photos of people with their friends,
but we wish we had more that actually depicted different aspect of the
Lord’s Work – along the lines of the ones we have here. Please send photos to the
“askapastor” email address (see the menu near the top of the
page).
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BAPTISMS
THIS PHOTO ILLUSTRATES different steps in a typical
Maranatha baptism service, as the three groups pictured are each at
different stages in the baptism.
First, (see the group in the rear on the left) the pastors give a
word of instruction to the new believer, and may pray with laying on of
hands. Then the pastors lower the
person backward into the water, just for a second or two, as in the scene
in the front. The Lord usually gives
some visions or revelations for the believer (especially promises about
their spiritual life or God’s plans for them), and the pastors
explain these and consider the interpretation of the visions, as in the
group to the far right, in back.
This photo is from Brazil,
where our seminar facilities (but usually not our individual churches) have
special outdoor pools designed for baptisms like this.
A baptism in Boston,
Massachusetts, USA
The Word refers to
three types of baptisms (Acts 19:1 – 6): John’s Baptism, Baptism
in the Name of Jesus (or the name of the Trinity), and Baptism with the
Holy Spirit. We believe that Baptism is an ordinance from the Lord Jesus
for those who believe (Mt 28:19). The
Lord delegated to the disciples the authority to baptize the brethren (John
4:1- 3).
River Baptisms in Brazil…
 
 
 
 
 
The one below shows the brief
service – with a short message from the Word and a few songs or hymns
– that usually accompany our baptisms.
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
More about baptism…
·
Baptism identifies us with the death and
resurrection of Jesus (Rom 6:5).
·
Baptism is a sign that one belongs to the church as
a member (Acts 8:36-39). From that point
on, the servant is in fellowship and can participate in the Lord’s
Supper.
·
It is a testimony to others that we have died to the
old way of life in this world, and we have a new life in the presence of
the Lord. If God’s grace has
been poured out on us, we should be transformed and walk according to this
grace, forsaking all sin. (Rom 6:1-
4).
·
Only those who have been touched by the Holy Spirit
and have had this experience of new birth are prepared to be baptized in
water. People who want to be
baptized merely out of excitement or emotionalism are not ready for water
baptism. Those who are still
enslaved to the things of this world (vices, worldly attire and mores), who
are spiritually unstable or plagued by doubts, also cannot be baptized. In such cases, it is better to wait.
·
Baptism is for those who are ready to be faithful,
to live in sanctification and obedience to the Lord. It is for those who have separated
themselves from this world and have a burning desire for eternity. It is necessary for our lives to be blameless
before both God and men. If there is
something from the world that is holding us back, or if we are still
attached to our old way of life, we are not ready for water baptism.
·
The waters of Noah’s Flood were the way he and
his family escaped their old life and the world that was passing away, and
came into a new life and the new world.
(I Pet. 3:20, 21).
Connecticut, USA 2005
 
 
More From Brazil…
Connecticut, USA 2004
 
There is a Work
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