Baptismal Service for Jade Huebert-Stauffer

BAPTISMAL SERVICE FOR JADE STAUFFER Spring Valley Mennonite; June 28, 2020; Selected passages This is a very special service as we join together to witness and participate in a baptismal service for Jade Stauffer. We will begin with examining what the Bible says about baptism, listen to some testimonies from those who have observed Jade as he has grown up, listen to a testimony from Jade of his personal faith in Jesus Christ, followed by the ordinance of baptism. What does the Bible teach about baptism? I. WHAT THE BIBLE TEACHES ABOUT BAPTISM BAPTISM is one of two ordinances of the New Testament instituted by Jesus Christ, the Lord's Supper being the second. It is intended to be, to the person baptized, a sign of his fellowship with Christ in His death and resurrection, and of his being inserted or placed in Christ, and of the remission of sins. It also indicates that the baptized person has given himself up to God, through Jesus Christ, so that he may live and conduct himself in newness of life. The only persons who can rightly submit themselves to this ordinance are those who profess repentance towards God and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, being willing to yield obedience to Him. Believer's baptism is publicly identifying with Jesus Christ. It is a public proclamation that "I am a Christian." The outward element to be used in this ordinance is water, in which the believer is to be baptized in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. (Matthew 28:18-20) In short: Believer's Baptism is a symbol which publicly signifies: * Our union with Christ, especially in his death and resurrection. [Rom. 6:3-5]. Water baptism symbolizes the Spirit baptism that occurs when one places his or her faith in Jesus Christ as Savior. * It also symbolizes the washing away of our sins. [Acts 22:16 (Literally, "having called on the Lord"), 1 Pet. 3:21-Ryrie: "Though water cannot save, baptism with water is the vivid symbol of the changed life of one who has a conscience at peace with God through faith in Christ."] * Baptism in water symbolizes the death of our old, sin-controlled self and new life granted by Christ alone. [Rom. 6:5-6] The power of our old self has been broken, we no longer HAVE to yield to it. (We are no longer SLAVES to sin.) * Baptism symbolizes the giving of the gift of the Holy Spirit, given at the time of conversion. [Acts 2:38] * Baptism pledges our repentance from sin. [Acts 2:38] * Baptism publicly identifies us with Christ and His church, the universal church of all believers. [1 Cor. 12:13] In our Mennonite tradition, it signifies becoming a member of Spring Valley Church. * Baptism, very significantly, engages and pledges us to live out the new life given to us in Christ. [Rom. 6:1-11] Christ's call to baptism is for me as a public expression of faith in Christ and repentance for sin and if I now desire to give myself up to Christ by faith as the only Savior of sinners, to repent of my sins, and to engage to walk according to the new life that Christ alone gives. II. WHAT DOES IT MEAN FOR ME TO BE BAPTIZED? It means that I accept with a believing heart the death and burial and resurrection of Christ for me. It signifies and affirms that because I am believing I am washed of all my sins and am granted eternal life. It means that I have come out in the open with an observable, life-long commitment to follow Jesus Christ wherever He may lead. Baptism does not wash away my sins or grant me new life. Only Christ can remove my sins, and that happens when I put my faith in Him. Baptism and faith are simply the outside and the inside of the same thing. But Christ has given me baptism as an outward sign of my inward change, and I will not neglect His gift. III. WHAT BENEFITS THEN DO I RECEIVE BY BEING BAPTIZED? There is great value in publicly confessing my belief in the death and resurrection of our Lord, proclaiming before the world that the death and resurrection of Christ are necessary to save me. Romans 10:8 connects "confessing with my mouth Jesus as Lord" along with "believing in my heart" with our salvation. Through baptism, my inner and subjective faith is given visible and concrete expression, and a significant milestone is established in my Christian life. I am publicly received into a family of believers who are gifted to help me live for Christ. I am assured and strengthened by the sovereign work of Christ in this ceremony that He has ordained for my good. IV. A Word For we believers as we observe today: What should we gain from such a service as this? What should be my thoughts be regarding my own baptism and that of others I witness? The writers of Scripture repeatedly refer to baptism to stir us up by way of reminder to the blessings and duties that are signified. We are constantly in need of being stirred up by way of reminder. Therefore, we should think upon our baptism as follows: • As surely as I see with my eyes someone being baptized, I should realize this symbolizes that for certain that Christ died a real death, was buried, and was raised to life for the salvation of sinners. • As surely as I remember my own baptism, so I know for certain that in Christ I was crucified in my old nature and have been raised with a new nature. • As surely as I remember my own baptism entered by faith, I have the pledge of a good conscience from God. • As surely as I remember my own baptism, I am forever engaged before God, the church, and the world to live according to the new life promised by the gospel. As we now move into Jade's baptism, I have asked Rod Loucks and Jade's Dad Chris to give a word of testimony regarding Jade's faith in Christ and growth as a believer. After Rod and Chris, Jade will give his own testimony of faith. V. TESTIMONIES: a. Elders (Rod, Chris) b. Jade's testimony VI. Baptismal Ceremony: I will first ask Jade some questions: Questions for Jade: i. Jade, have you accepted Jesus Christ as your personal Savior and trust in Him alone for forgiveness of your sins? (If so, answer "I have.") ii. Do you hereby pledge to follow Christ and His teachings with the empowerment of the Holy Spirit? (If so, answer "I do so pledge.") iii. Do you covenant by the grace of God to faithfully follow Jesus Christ in all of life; to be faithful to God in worship, study, witness and fellowship in Christ's Church and mission in the world? (If so, answer "I do so covenant.") c. Elder assist (I have asked Elder Steve Selzer, Jade's Uncle, to assist me in the baptism.) d. Pronouncement of baptism: Upon your personal confession of faith in Jesus Christ as Savior, I baptize you in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. e. Prayer of blessing f. Hymn of Praise g. Benediction 2