Believers are received as members of Bethel Church in several
ways. Baptism, described below, is the first step.
Baptized Christians become members of the church through:
Go therefore 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 that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age. --Matthew 28:19-20.
Baptism is one of the two Sacraments recognized by
Protestants as being directly commanded by Jesus Christ (the
other being Communion). Bethel Church recognizes baptism by other
Christian churches, and does not engage in re-baptism of baptized
Christians.
Bethel Church practices baptism of children and adults. When children are received into Christian fellowship through baptism, parents and sponsors promise to guide them in the Christian faith until such time as the child is able to claim faith in Jesus Christ as their own (Acts 16:33). Adults are baptized, based on their own faith in Christ, with the promise of support and encouragement of other believers.
Some Protestant churches insist on baptism by
immersion. The United Church of Christ does not focus on the
amount of water used in baptism, but on the heart of the
believers and the promises which are made. Most baptisms take
place at the baptismal font in the sanctuary.
Confirmation is the renewal of the baptismal covenant. Baptized young people, having been instructed in the Christian faith, publicly confess their faith in their Savior, Jesus Christ, promise obedience to Christ, and are received by the Church into active membership. Confirmation goes back to the time of the first century Christian Church when Peter and John "confirmed" the baptism, given by Philip, to the people of Samaria (Acts 8:12-17). In this act, the people received the gift of God's Holy Spirit, through which they were empowered to live out in the world the life of the Christ to whom they had already been joined in baptism.
At some time around 6th to 8th Grade, confirmands receive special instruction on the Christian faith and the mission of Bethel Church prior to their decision of faith and Confirmation.
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