The Scriptures, both Old and New Testaments are the inspired Word of God without error in the original writings, and are the complete revelation of His will for the salvation of men, and the divine and final authority for all Christian faith and life.

All scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” Some of the Bible is spoken directly by God Himself, and other parts are spoken by men whom He guided—but all of it is His Word, and all of it is beneficial and authoritative. Scripture shows us the way of salvation. Furthermore, it will teach us, rebuke us when we are wrong, and train us how to do right so that we may be ready to do God’s work.

It gives us spiritual guidance: “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path” Psalm 119:105.

Some of the Bible was written specifically to give us an accurate account of Jesus so that we might believe on Him and have eternal life: “Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name” Luke 20:30-31.

The ministry of the Holy Spirit is to glorify the Lord Jesus Christ and during this age, to convict men of sin, regenerate the believing sinner, indwell, guide, instruct, and empower the believer for godly living and service.

Key Roles of the Holy Spirit

• Indwelling: The Spirit lives inside every believer to offer permanent comfort and assurance of salvation.

• Empowering: The Spirit gives Christians the power and courage to share their faith and serve others.
• Teaching: The Spirit helps people understand God's word and guides them into truth.
• Convicting: The Spirit shows people the truth about sin and points them toward Christ.

Helper and Guide

• John 14:26: Highlights the Helper, the Holy Spirit teaching and reminding believers of Jesus' words. You can find the full verse in the referenced web document.

• John 14:16-17: Mentions the Father giving another Helper, the Spirit of truth, to remain forever.

• Romans 8:26: Notes that the Spirit helps in weakness and intercedes for believers.

Fruit of the Spirit

• Galatians 5:22-23: Lists the fruit of the Spirit, including love, joy, peace, patience, and self-control. 

Power and Presence

• Acts 1:8: Speaks of receiving power when the Holy Spirit comes upon believers to be witnesses.

• Romans 15:13: Expresses that believers may abound in hope through the power of the Holy Spirit. 

Jesus Christ is true God and true man, having been conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. He died on the cross, the complete and final sacrifice for our sins according to the Scriptures. Further, He arose bodily from the dead, ascended into heaven, where, at the right hand of God, He is now our High Priest and Advocate.

Jesus is God

• John 1:1, 14, Colossians 2:9, John 20:28: The scriptures affirm that Jesus is the Word incarnate, possessing the full fullness of deity bodily, and acknowledged as God. Full verses can be found in the referenced sources.

Jesus is the Creator and Sustainer

• Colossians 1:16-17, Hebrews 1:3: Passages state that all things were created through and for Him, and He upholds the universe by the word of His power.

Jesus is the Way and the Savior

• John 14:6, Acts 4:12, 1 John 4:14: Jesus declares Himself the way, truth, and life, and scripture notes that salvation is found in no one else as the Savior of the world. 

Man was created in the image of God but fell into sin and is therefore lost, and only through regeneration by the Holy Spirit can salvation and spiritual life be obtained.

Genesis 1 details the creation account of the all-knowing, all-powerful, sovereign God. When God reaches His crowning creative act—the formation of human life—His wording changes from the impersonal “let there be” to the deliberate and intimate expression, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness.” God’s plan for humans included giving them responsibilities on the earth: “And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth” Genesis 1:26

There is one God, Creator of all things, infinitely perfect, and eternally existing.

God is that Someone who is greater than ourselves, who explains our existence. He is infinite (meaning unlimited in his nature), personal (we can know him), and diverse within himself. That is, the Lord is “Triune,” meaning one God in three Persons--Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

• God is infinite: “Listen, Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one” (Deuteronomy 6:4). “I am the first and I am the last. There is no God but me” (Isaiah 44:6b).

• God is personal: “This is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and the one you have sent—Jesus Christ” (John 17:3). “The one who does not love does not know God, because God is love” (1 John 4:8).

• God is diverse: “yet for us there is one God, the Father. All things are from him, and we exist for him. And there is one Lord, Jesus Christ. All things are through him, and we exist through him” (1 Co. 8:6). “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God” (Jn. 1:1). “The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all” (2 Cor. 13:14). 

The shed blood of Jesus Christ and His resurrection provide the only ground for justification and salvation for all who believe, and only such as receive Jesus Christ by faith are born of the Holy Spirit and thus become children of God. All humanity stands in need of salvation, which is only possible through faith in Jesus Christ. Salvation is the transformation of a person’s individual nature and relationship with God as a result of repentance and faith in Jesus. Salvation involves a change in the relationship between God and a person. It also includes personal renewal and transformation through the work of the Holy Spirit. (Romans 5:9; 1 Thessalonians 5:9). (2 Timothy 1:9; Titus 3:5). (John 3:17). (Romans 5:10; Ephesians 1:7).(Ephesians 1:13). (Romans 1:16). (Romans 10:9 – 11, NIV).

When Christians are baptized, they fulfill the command of Jesus (Matthew 28:19-20), are submerged in water to identify with the death of Jesus, and rise out of the water to identify with His resurrection. Romans 6:1-10; Colossians 2:12; 2 Corinthians 5:17. This identification with the death burial and resurrection through baptism testifies to the fact that we believe, by faith, that Jesus dies for our sins, was buried, rose three days later, and now is alive and Lord over all of creation. When Christians are baptized, they fulfill the command of Jesus (Matthew 28:19-20), are submerged in water to identify with the death of Jesus, and rise out of the water to identify with His resurrection. (2 Corinthians 5:17).

What Should I Wear?

*A dark-colored Moving FWD t-shirt will be provided for you

• Do wear pants (i.e. sweats, leggings, swim shorts, etc) NO JEANS!
• Do wear under garments (i.e. underwear, bras, etc)
• Do wear aqua socks or swim shoes
• Do bring a pair of shoes to wear after getting out of the pool
• Do bring a change of clothing and undergarments
• Do bring a swim cap if you are concerned about getting your hair wet
• Do not wear body lotion or baby oil
• Do not wear jewelry
• Do not wear shoes or socks into the baptismal pool

What to expect?

You’ll see each person about to be baptized talking with one of the church leaders in the pool. They’re answering basic questions such as:

“Do you believe that Jesus is the Son of God?” “Do you believe that your sin has separated you from God?” “Have you repented of that sin?” “Do you believe that Jesus died and rose, conquering Satan, sin and death?”

And Then…

We say a short prayer as an affirmation of faith. You’re baptized by immersion in water.