More on the Independent Evangelical Church

Beginnings

Independent Evangelical Churches have been around in the UK for hundreds of years, but many that are around today have been started recently. They can be very large, might meet in a school hall, converted cinema, YMCA, chapel - anywhere. This is the kind of group described here.

Baptism

At our church, we believe in total immersion in water, baptism being the symbol of casting off the old life and entering into a new life with Jesus. Baptism can take place at any age or at any stage of faith, but is usually entered into when the person feels ready to make this outward show of faith and commitment to a life following Jesus. This may happen at 6 or 60! The leaders of the church talk to every candidate, to make sure they really know what they are taking on.

The Pastor of the church may baptise a person, or it may be done by a Christian friend. There is no qualification seen as necessary to perform the baptism, other than being a Christian oneself, and being trusted by the church.

Baptism may be done in a Baptistry in the church building, or, if none is available, then Independent Churches are very good at improvising, and may use the local swimming pool, the nearest river or the sea!

A typical baptism might begin with a short personal explanation of how the person came to believe in Jesus. Then they step down into the Baptistry. Someone stands either side of the person being baptised, and one of them asks the candidate if they accept Jesus as their Lord and Saviour. After the person has said 'yes', they are gently lowered under the water and then lifted out again. A favourite song is often sung, after which there is a time of quiet when those baptising or someone from the congregation might give a verse from the Bible, or a word of encouragement to the candidate.