WELCOME TO THIS GREAT FAMILY!
 
What a great day this Sunday will be as we celebrate together what God has done in your life. We are extremely excited to welcome you into the Montclair Family and even importantly into the family of God. The following is important information for you to know concerning this coming Sunday’s events.
 
1. Covenant Membership 
 

Whenever a child is born, he or she automatically becomes a part of the universal family of human beings. But that child also needs to become a member of a specific family to receive nurture and care and grow  up healthy and strong. The same is true spiritually. When you were born again, you automatically became a part of God’s universal family. But you also need to become a member of a local expression of God’s family.

The difference between being a church attender and a church member is commitment. Attenders are spectators from the sidelines; members get involved in the ministry. Attenders are consumers; members are contributors. Attenders want the benefits of a church without sharing the responsibility.

Why is it important to join a local church family? Because it proves you are committed to your spiritual brothers and sisters in reality, not just in theory. God wants you to love real people, not ideal people. You can spend a lifetime searching for the perfect church, but you will never find it. You are called to love imperfect sinners, just as God does.

In Acts, the Christians in Jerusalem were very specific in their commitment to each other. They were devoted to fellowship. The Bible says, “They committed themselves to the teaching of the apostles, the life together, the common meal, and the prayers” (Acts 2:42 MSG). God expects you to commit to the same things today.

Membership Info for Sunday Ceremony: 

The Membership ceremony will take place during both the 8:30 and 11:00 am services. After our time of worship you will be asked to come to stage where you will be given a certificate of membership and be prayed over by our pastoral staff and leaders. Feel free to sit wherever you wish. A “I Have Decided” t-shirt will be given to you prior to the service, We encourage you to wear the shirt, but it is not required. Our pastoral staff will be wearing the shirts as well.  After the ceremony you will simply return to your seat.

 

2.  Baptism
 

This extraordinary occasion is something to be cherished and remembered. This is the event that follows a decision by you to follow Jesus, and to accept his will and purpose for your life.

The act of baptism is an outward expression of an inward faith. The process of baptism is very simple. You begin by standing in some water. A pastor then lowers you under the water and then brings you back up out of the water. The Bible compares baptism to burial. (Romans 6:4; Colossians 2:12) Water baptism symbolizes a person’s dying to his/her past course of life and beginning a new one as a Christian dedicated to God. Some have asked, does water baptism wash away sin? The answer is NO. The Bible teaches that we can be cleansed from sin only through Jesus’ shed blood. (Romans 5:8, 9; 1 John 1:7) To benefit from Jesus’ sacrifice, however, a person must exercise faith in Jesus and change his course of life to live in harmony with Jesus’ teachings. Baptism is a reflection of that decision.—Acts 2:38; 3:19.

 

Baptism Info: 

Our baptism service will be held immediately following the 11:00 am worship service (around 12:45 pm). The location (weather permitting) will be on the basketball court in the back of the church. On Sunday you will be given a “I have Decided” t-shirt. We are asking that each participant please wear that shirt as you are being baptized. Different sizes are available.  Dark colored knee length Shorts or pants are appropriate for both men and women.  Please bring a towel and a change of clothes. The restrooms and other “changing” rooms will be available after the baptismal service. Our volunteers will be helping you in and out of the baptismal pool. Seating will be provided on the left side of the baptismal pool for all participants. Please be in your designated seats no later that 12:45 pm unless otherwise notified. We encourage you to invite your family and friends to this event. 

Baptism Facts

 

BAPTISM FACTS… WHY BE BAPTIZED? Those who are baptized are following Jesus’ example and obeying His command.

  • As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” —Matthew 3:16–17
  • Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.” —Matthew 28:18–20
 
WHAT IS THE SIGNIFICANCE OF BAPTISM?
 
Water baptism is a public declaration of three very important things: You are a follower of Jesus Christ. Those who accepted his message were baptized. —Acts 2:41 You are beginning a changed life in Christ. We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. —Romans 6:4 You are part of a new family. So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. —Galatians 3:26–27
 
I HAVE ALREADY BEEN BAPTIZED. SHOULD I BE BAPTIZED AGAIN?
 
Your baptism should have signified you becoming a follower of Jesus, beginning a changed life, and uniting with a new family. If your baptism did not reflect this change of life, then you should be baptized again.
 
CAN MY CHILD BE BAPTIZED?
 
We will baptize anyone who understands what baptism symbolizes and wants to make that personal public declaration. We encourage any parents to partner with our Montclair Tabernacle Kids ministries to guide your children through these decisions of faith.
 
CAN MY INFANT BE BAPTIZED?
 
Throughout the New Testament, the Bible teaches that baptism is a public expression of worship symbolizing the new life we have when we follow Jesus. In the Bible we see that Jesus’ parents dedicated him to the Lord (Luke 2:22–40), and he was later baptized as an adult (Matthew 3:16–17). We understand that some churches practice “baptism of confirmation” for children. This ceremony is intended to be a commitment between the parents and God on the behalf of the child. The parents promise to raise their child in the faith until the child is old enough to make his or her own personal confession of Christ. This custom began about 300 years after the Bible was completed and is different from the biblical examples of new believers being baptized to publicly profess their faith in Jesus. So at Montclair Tabernacle we provide opportunities for child dedication and believer’s baptism. Both of these occur on the second Sunday of the month in their own individual services.
 
To schedule a baby dedication, contact Pastor Brad at 703-670-8907
.