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Our Purpose & Vision
OUR PURPOSE: Growing disciples of Jesus who love God and love people
Our purpose incorporates 2 key elements from Jesus’ teaching:
The Great Commission - ‘Go and make disciples...’ (Matt. 28:19)
The Great Commandment - ‘Love the Lord your God...
love your neighbour’ (Mark 12:30-31)
OUR VISION for the kind of church we believe God would have us become is To be focused on Christ:
Celebrating God’s love by worshipping Him in all we do.
Harmony in our relationships, whatever happens
Relevant and dynamic ministries in our church life, all committed to excellence
Impacting people locally and globally with a Gospel that transforms lives
Serving God and others, each member using their unique gifts
Teaching and training that enables us to grow as disciples of Jesus
Baptism
We quite often get asked what we believe about baptism. Here goes!
Who Should Be Baptized
Christians believe that the blood of Jesus Christ, shed on the cross, provides the sole basis for the forgiveness of sin. Therefore, salvation occurs only when a person places his or her faith in the death and resurrection of Christ as the sufficient payment for his or her sin.
If you have accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, then you are ready to be baptized. Just like a bride and groom show others their love for one another by wearing wedding bands, your baptism is your opportunity to show others that you have accepted Christ and are now walking with Him.
What Baptism Symbolizes
Baptism is a way of showing others that you have entered into a relationship with Jesus Christ. It symbolizes what took place in your heart at the time of salvation:
* Accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.
* Shared in His death and resurrection, illustrated by going under the water (dead to your old life), then rising again (new life).
* Were symbolically washed clean, and sins were forgiven by His death on the cross.
Because Jesus instructed us to be baptized, baptism is an act of obedience. While it is not necessary for salvation, it demonstrates submission to God. We immerse at Greenisland Baptist Church because we believe Scripture shows that Jesus modeled that for us as the way to publicly acknowledge our faith in Him.
Some denominations choose to christen infants. While we recognize the right of other churches to practice infant christening, we understand Scripture to teach that only professing believers qualify for baptism. Baptism does not make you a believer, rather it shows that you already believe.
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Jesus replied, "If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. John 14:23
biblegateway.com, (C)NIV |
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