First Christian Church of Chula Vista
"Knowing Christ...and making Him known."
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First Christian Church of Chula Vista

430 Second Avenue

Chula Vista, CA 91910 

619-422-5313

 
Church Membership/ Baptism

How do I become a Member of First Christian
Church?

An opportunity is given at the Praise service,
the Traditional service and the Edge service. You
may also take the Discovering Membership class,
and/or schedule a visit with the Pastor through the
church office, 619-422- 5313, Monday through
Thursday. All you have to do is ask. We
earnestly desire to tell you how to become a
member of the First Christian family.

 

 

Are there any requirements for membership?


Anyone wanting to make a commitment to
membership must be willing to surrender his or
her life to Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.

This means:
(1) Admitting that all people (including you) have
sinned -Romans 3:23.

(2) Acknowledging that Jesus Christ is God's only
son, that he paid the penalty for your sin by His
death on the cross, and that He made it possible
for you to have new life through His resurrection-
Romans 10:9, Romans 6:23,2 Corinthians
5: 17,21.

(3) Totally trusting Jesus Christ by:
accepting His free forgiveness, repenting of past
and present wrongs, being baptized by immersion
into Him, and surrendering your abilities, your
desires, and your whole life to Him - Acts 2:38,
Romans 6.  

If you  have already received Christ and have been
baptized by immersion in another church, will
I have to be baptized again to be a member of
First Christian Church?

No. Some people, however, who become
members choose to be baptized again if they feel
their first baptism was for the wrong reason, such
as an adult who was baptized as a child because it
friend or parent pressured them to do it.

What's next?

Your decision to follow Christ is just the
beginning of your "Transformation." Now that
you are "in Christ" he will be transforming you as
you read the Bible every day, Pray daily, join
with others in Community, and Serve Him in a
ministry that fits you. Weekly attendance at the
Worship service of your choice is essential for
your growth as well as learning to systematically
give to the work and mission of this congregation.
Sharing Christ with your friends will become a
vital part of your walk with Jesus.
And we...are being transformed into His likeness
with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the
Lord,... 2 Corinthians 3:18

Contact us at:
619-422-5313
tmcnerney@fccchulavista.org


We look forward to working with you.
Come let our family be your family. Let Jesus
Christ be your Lord and Savior and we will help
you grow in grace and knowledge.


THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING BAPTIZED
As soon as Jesus was baptized,
he went up out of the water.
(Matthew 3: 16 NIV)

For now we are all children of God through faith
in Jesus Christ, and we who have been baptized into
union with Christ are enveloped by him. We are no
longer Jews or Greeks or slaves or free men or even
merely men or women, but we are all the same --
we are Christians; we are one in Christ Jesus.
Galatians 3:26-28 (TLB)

I. WHY SHOULD I BE BAPTIZED?
1. TO FOLLOW THE EXAMPLE SET BY JESUS.
At that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. (Mark 1:9 NIV)
2. BECAUSE CHRIST DID IT.
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: 19~20 NIV)
3. IT DEMONSTRATES THAT I REALLY AM A BELIEVER.
Those who accepted his message were baptized. (Acts 2:41 NIV) But when they believed Philip as he preached the good news of the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. (Acts 8: 12 NIV)

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       Sunday Services

Sunday School           9:30 am

Worship                    10:45 am

 

Discipleship & Ministries

  Jr. & Sr. Youth Group

  Missions

  Women's Ministry

  Children's Ministries

 

Want to know about... 

  Bible Studies/ Discovery Classes

  Membership/ Baptism

 

 

               

 

 

 

 

II. WHAT DOES BAPTISM MEAN?
1. IT ILLUSTRATES CHRIST'S DEATH
AND RESURRECTION.
Christ died for our sins... he was buried... he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures. (1 Corinthians 15:3-4 NIV)
... having been buried with him in baptism and raised with him through your faith in the power of God. (Colossians 2: 12 NIV)
2. IT ILLUSTRATES MY REBIRTH AS A CHRISTIAN.
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! (2 Corinthians 5: 17 NIV)
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 NIV)

III.  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.
(Matthew 3: 16 NIV)
2. EVERY BAPTISM IN THE WAS BY IMMERSION.
One Example: Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and Philip baptized him. When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord suddenly took Philip away, and the eunuch did not see him again. but went on his way rejoicing. (.4cts 8:38-39 NIV)
3. THE WORD "BAPTIZE" MEANS "TO WATER".
The Greek word baptizo means "to immerse or dip under water".
4. IT BEST SYMBOLIZES A BURIAL AND RESURRECTION!
The founders of denominations agree:
Martin Luther... "I would have those who are to be baptized to be entirely immersed, as the word 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."

 

IV. WHO SHOULD BE BAPTIZED?
EVERY PERSON WHO HAS IN CHRIST.
"Those who believed 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

At First Christian, we wait until our children are old enough to believe and understand the true meaning of baptism before we baptize them.
We do practice "Infant Dedication" for children. This ceremony is intended to be a covenant 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/her own personal confession of Christ.

 


This is different from the water baptism talked about in the Bible which was only for those old enough to believe. The purpose of baptism by immersion is to publicly confess your personal commitment to Jesus Christ and to follow His example.


At First Christian Church, it is a membership requirement that every member be baptized the way Jesus demonstrated, even though many of us were baptized, confirmed or dedicated as small children. Over 1000 people have been baptized at First Christian Church!

V. WHEN SHOULD I BE BAPTIZED?
AS SOON AS YOU HAVE BELIEVED!
"Those who believed... 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 shouldn't I be baptized right now?' Philip said, If you believe with all your heart, you may. ,So they went down into the water and Philip baptized him. "
Acts 8:35-38