What do I need to do to be saved?

To answer that we need to ask, “Saved from what?

When God created the heavens and the earth he created the first man and woman: Adam and Eve. They lived in a paradise called Eden where everything was perfect. But Satan entered into paradise, deceived the woman into disobeying the command of God along with her husband and paradise was lost. Sin or disobedience to the will of the heavenly Father, came into the world and broke the intimate relationship that man had with God, with his spouse, and with his world. Sin came into the world and there was nothing that man could do to fix the relationship. Man was separated from God spiritually and at death would be separated physically in a place reserved for Satan and his angels called, “Hell.” But God loved man and his creation and knew that if his relationship with them was to be restored that he would have to be the one to restore it. So at the right time in history, God the Father, sent his one and only Son, Jesus, into the world. Born of a virgin, born through the divine actions of the Holy Spirit, he came into this world without a sinful nature. He lived a perfect life and then died a horrible death on a cross. His death was a substitutionary death. He died, not because he did anything wrong, but because of the hatred of humanity toward him. He willfully died because without the shedding of innocent blood there would be no payment for the sins of mankind. God the Father, in his holiness, demanded a payment, restitution, recompense for the violation of that holiness. Someone who was perfect in nature could be the only sacrifice for sinful mankind. And so Jesus died on the cross and paid the price for mankind to be saved from the bondage of sin, saved from the penalty of sin, saved from eternal punishment in Hell and saved to eternal life, eternal bliss with the Father. The work of reconciliation was done. Nothing else needed to be done. Nothing else could be done. So the Father, with the sacrifice of the Son, before him, now invites individuals to become part of his heavenly family, to be part of the kingdom of God. A person doesn’t need to work to be right with God or to perform certain duties in order to be in the family of God. One simply receives, by faith, the finished work of Jesus, and applies it to their life. The Bible says in Romans 10:9-10, that “if you confess that Jesus is Lord and believe that God, the Father, raised him from the dead you will be saved.”

“Prayer” is just talking with the Father. A sample prayer of salvation might go something like this: “Heavenly Father, your word has told me that I am a sinner, that I have fallen short of your holiness through my disobedience to your revealed will. I acknowledge that Father. I confess that to you. I also know that you love me and you sent your Son, Jesus, down into this world to die for me, to die for my sins. Jesus paid the price so that I could be brought into a right relationship with you, with others and with your world. I now confess that Jesus is my Savior and ask that I might follow his teachings. I ask that through the indwelling Holy Spirit that Jesus would be the Lord of my life. I give thanks to you, Father. Thank you for saving me, thank you for setting me free from the bondage of sin. Thank you for the hope that I have in Jesus. That just as he rose from the dead and is now with you in heaven, that someday I will be as well. Thank you, Father. Thank you, Jesus. Thank you, Holy Spirit. In Jesus’ name I pray these things. Amen.

Baptism at Word of Life Baptist Church...

WHAT IS THE MEANING OF BAPTISM?

1. It illustrates Christs burial and resurrection.

"Christ died for our sins... He was buried... and He rose again." 

[I Cor. 15:3-4]

"For when you were baptized, you were buried with Christ, and in baptism you were also raised with Christ." 

[Col. 2:12]

2. It illustrates my new life as a Christian.

"When someone becomes a Christian he becomes a brand new person inside. The old life has passed away and a new life has begun!" 

[2 Cor. 5:17]

"By our baptism then, we were buried with Him and shared His death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead... so also we may live a new life!" 

[Rom. 6:4]

Baptism doesn't make you a believer - it shows that you already believe. Baptism does not "save" you, only your faith in Christ does that. Baptism is like a wedding ring - its the outward symbol of the commitment you make in your heart.

"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith... it is the gift of God - not by works, so that no one can boast." 

[Ephesians 2:8,9]

WHY BE BAPTIZED BY IMMERSION?

1. Because Jesus was baptized that way. "As soon as Jesus was baptized, He went up out of the water." --Matt. 3:16

2. Every baptism in the Bible was by immersion.

(Example) "...then both Philip and the man went down into the water and Philip baptized him. When they came up out of the water..."

[Acts 8:38-39]

The word Baptize means "To dip under water"

The Greek work Baptizo means "To immerse or dip under water".

It best symbolized a burial and resurrection!

3. The founders of denominations agree:

Martin Luther... "I would have those who are to be baptized to be entirely immersed, as the work imports and the mystery signifies."

John Calvin... "The word baptize signifies to immerse. It is certain that immersion was the practice of the ancient church."

John Wesley... "Buried with Him, alludes to baptizing by immersion according to the custom of the first church."

WHO SHOULD BE BAPTIZED?

1. Every person who has believed in Christ.

"Those who believe and accepted His message were baptized..."

[Acts 2:41]

"Simon himself believed and was baptized..." 

[Acts 8:13]

"But when they believed Philip as he preached the Good News... and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women."

[Acts 8:12]

2. At Word of Life, we wait until our children are old enough to believe and understand the true meaning of baptism before we baptize them.

The baptism talked about in the Bible was only for those old enough to believe. The purpose is to publicly confess your personal commitment to Christ. At Word of Life, it is a membership requirement that every member must have been baptized the way Jesus demonstrated.

WHEN SHOULD I BE BAPTIZED?

As soon as you have believed.

"Those who believe...were baptized...that day!" 

[Acts 2:41]

"Then Philip began with the scripture and told him the Good News about Jesus. As they traveled along the road, they came to some water, and the man said, Look, here is water! Why shouldnt I be baptized right now? Philip said, If you believe with all your heart, you may. The man answered, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. So they went down into the water and Philip baptized him." --Acts 8:35-38

There is no reason to delay. As soon as you have decided to receive Christ into your life, you can and should be baptized. If you wait until you are "perfect", youll never feel "good enough"!

Please call the church office at 354-8019 or by email to set up a short pre-baptismal appointment. At this mandatory meeting with members of our deacon serving team or elders we will encourage you as you put your faith into words.

Baptism at Word of Life are scheduled for the third Sunday of every month. During the warmer months the ordinance of baptism occurs down at the Thunder Bay River off a platform on the church property.

CAN MY FAMILY BE BAPTIZED TOGETHER?

Yes! If each family member understands fully the meaning of baptism, and each one has personally placed his/her trust in Christ for salvation, we encourage families to be baptized at the same time. It is a wonderful expression of commitment. However, it is important to remember that baptism is a personal statement of faith, not a family tradition. It is usually not wise to delay your baptism while waiting on other family members to accept Christ, particularly children. This puts an undue pressure on them, and delays your obedience.

WHAT SHOULD I WEAR WHEN I AM BAPTIZED?

A heavy weight baptismal gown will be provided. Women should wear white undergarments and white or tan shorts with a white t-shirt or top which will preserve modesty. Men may wear a swimsuit or dark slacks and t-shirt. Bring a change of clothes, a towel, and a plastic bag for your wet articles of clothing.

YOUR BAPTISMAL SERVICE

Please arrive early enough to allow adequate time to change your clothes, and to meet with a Pastor 15 minutes early before the service starts to pray and to preview the service schedule. Use restrooms in the lower level of the church for changing. At the beginning of the service, The Pastor will briefly explain the meaning of baptism and call you into the baptistry. You will enter the water from the right side of the church sanctuary (parking lot side) and will exit to the left. A deacon or deaconess will be at each door to assist you. The Pastor will introduce you and confirm your faith and trust in Jesus Christ alone to save you from your sin. At this time share a brief testimony of your conversion and a verse of Scripture. You will be briefly lowered just under the water, and then you can leave the pool, dry off, and watch the others. Later you will be mailed a certificate of your baptism certificate. We encourage you to invite all your relatives and friends to attend your baptism. Please write out on a 3 by 5 card all family members who you would like recognized in attendance at your baptism service.

During the warmer summer months there is the opportunity to be baptized in the river on the church property. There will be tents to change out of your wet clothing and a washbasin for rinsing your feet before entering the changing tent. A deacon or deaconess will assist you at the rivers edge and personal testimonies will be given before entering the water. Friends and family members attending the service may bring lawn chairs or a blanket to sit on during the service.

PREPARING YOUR PERSONAL TESTIMONY

Please remember to bring your testimony written or printed out to read to the church family during the service.

If you are interested in baptism please contact the church office.