BAPTISM
WHAT’S THE DEAL WITH BAPTISM ANYWAY?
Baptism is a significant, personal step in the journey of following Jesus Christ. It originates in and through Jesus himself, who was himself baptized (Matthew 3:13-17) and asked that everyone who desires to follow Him take the same step.
WHAT MAKES SOMEONE A CANDIDATE FOR BAPTISM?
It’s pretty simple - if you personally choose to trust Jesus Christ as your forgiver, guide and leader in life then this is for you! (Read Acts 2:38 and Acts 18:8) It’s not for super-religious people or those who are trying to do something to get closer to God. Being baptized doesn’t make God like you more - He already loves you exactly as you are! There’s nothing magical about it, and baptism doesn’t ‘save’ you. Baptism is simply a way of openly telling the world that you have taken the step of becoming a follower of Jesus Christ. For that reason, we baptize anyone who is old enough to understand what baptism signifies for them personally.
DUNKING, SPRINKLING, POURING ... WHAT DO YOU GUYS DO?
The word ‘baptize’, by definition, literally means ‘to submerge or immerse in water’. Our best read of the historical accounts of the first followers of Christ is that they were immersed in a body of water of some sort. For that reason, we follow that as our example.
WAIT. DOESN'T TMP MEET IN A THEATRE? HOW DOES THIS EVEN HAPPEN?
It depends. When the weather is warm enough, we meet up after church at a lake in the middle of Nanaimo and do it there. We've occasionally done them at other churches' buildings, but lately we've even figured out a way to do it right there in Theatre 6.
I'M INTERESTED IN LEARNING MORE ABOUT GETTING BAPTIZED. WHAT SHOULD I DO?
Talk to one of TMP's pastors or staff, or send an email to admin@themeetingplace.org. We'd love to talk with you about it!
Baptism is a significant, personal step in the journey of following Jesus Christ. It originates in and through Jesus himself, who was himself baptized (Matthew 3:13-17) and asked that everyone who desires to follow Him take the same step.
WHAT MAKES SOMEONE A CANDIDATE FOR BAPTISM?
It’s pretty simple - if you personally choose to trust Jesus Christ as your forgiver, guide and leader in life then this is for you! (Read Acts 2:38 and Acts 18:8) It’s not for super-religious people or those who are trying to do something to get closer to God. Being baptized doesn’t make God like you more - He already loves you exactly as you are! There’s nothing magical about it, and baptism doesn’t ‘save’ you. Baptism is simply a way of openly telling the world that you have taken the step of becoming a follower of Jesus Christ. For that reason, we baptize anyone who is old enough to understand what baptism signifies for them personally.
DUNKING, SPRINKLING, POURING ... WHAT DO YOU GUYS DO?
The word ‘baptize’, by definition, literally means ‘to submerge or immerse in water’. Our best read of the historical accounts of the first followers of Christ is that they were immersed in a body of water of some sort. For that reason, we follow that as our example.
WAIT. DOESN'T TMP MEET IN A THEATRE? HOW DOES THIS EVEN HAPPEN?
It depends. When the weather is warm enough, we meet up after church at a lake in the middle of Nanaimo and do it there. We've occasionally done them at other churches' buildings, but lately we've even figured out a way to do it right there in Theatre 6.
I'M INTERESTED IN LEARNING MORE ABOUT GETTING BAPTIZED. WHAT SHOULD I DO?
Talk to one of TMP's pastors or staff, or send an email to admin@themeetingplace.org. We'd love to talk with you about it!
COMMUNION
Communion was introduced by Jesus himself on the night before he died. The Bible tells it like this:
On the night when he was betrayed, the Lord Jesus took some bread and gave thanks to God for it. Then he broke it in pieces and said, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way, he took the cup of wine after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant between God and his people—an agreement confirmed with my blood. Do this in remembrance of me as often as you drink it.” For every time you eat this bread and drink this cup, you are announcing the Lord’s death until he comes again. (1 Corinthians 11:23-26)
For centuries, Jesus' followers have remembered his death this way. At TMP, we use grape juice and a bit of bread. We usually observe Communion during the Sunday service once a month, usually on the last Sunday of the month. If you are a follower of Jesus, you are welcome to participate with us. If you aren't sure, please feel free to observe and check it out.
On the night when he was betrayed, the Lord Jesus took some bread and gave thanks to God for it. Then he broke it in pieces and said, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way, he took the cup of wine after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant between God and his people—an agreement confirmed with my blood. Do this in remembrance of me as often as you drink it.” For every time you eat this bread and drink this cup, you are announcing the Lord’s death until he comes again. (1 Corinthians 11:23-26)
For centuries, Jesus' followers have remembered his death this way. At TMP, we use grape juice and a bit of bread. We usually observe Communion during the Sunday service once a month, usually on the last Sunday of the month. If you are a follower of Jesus, you are welcome to participate with us. If you aren't sure, please feel free to observe and check it out.