Baptism
A person becomes a member of the church by Baptism. If the person was part of another Christian group that practices baptism by immersion, or the person is and SDA member that is unable to transfer, they may be accepted on Profession of Faith.
The Church Manual outlines the following steps for a person to join by Baptism:
- The candidate should learn the Fundamental Beliefs and practices in a baptismal class or individually
- The candidate should be publicly examined by the (a) pastor, (b) church board or (c) a appointed committee
- The candidate should publicly affirm the baptismal vows
- The church votes the person into membership subject to baptism
- The baptism takes place
NOTE: The church board should also vote to accept the person into membership "subject to baptism". To avoid delaying the person joining, this vote may be taken before, during or after the process described above.
To record a Baptism in eAdventist, see Adding a Person.
Baptismal Certificate
A certificate of Baptism and Commitment should be given to the new member by the church. Blank certificates may be purchased from the local conference ABC, AdventSource or created by the church.
Person has been Baptized previously
If the person was Removed from membership at their request (apostasy) or because of church discipline (disfellowshipped) and wishes to rejoin, the Church Manual indicates that they should rejoin by being baptized again (Church Manual pp 72-73).
If the person is a member who wishes to recommit, they may choose to be Rebaptized.