Baptism is an expression of transformation and a sacrament of initiation. A sacrament is an outward sign of an inward change. Thus, when one undergoes baptism, they affirm publicly that a new inward life centred about a restored relationship has begun.

When we repent and believe in Jesus Christ, God’s Spirit baptises us into the Body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:13). This “Body of Christ” refers to all individuals who believe in Christ (Ephesians 1:13). In other words, baptism is a sign of the believer’s incorporation into the universal Church. Having become a member of the Church, the commitment then is to be “faithful members” and “serve as Christ’s representatives in the world.” What is expected after baptism is that the candidate be faithful to the Church and live such a life by words and deeds that reflect Christ’s presence in the world. Who we are and how we conduct ourselves will either bring a good, or bad, name, to the larger body of believers to which we belong, as well as to the one who is our Lord.

Because baptism is an unrepeatable act, any practice that can be interpreted as “re-baptism” must be avoided.

In the course of history, the practice of baptism has developed in a variety of forms. Some churches, like BMC, baptise infants brought by parents or guardians who are ready, in and with the Church, to bring up the children in the Christian faith. Both the baptism of believers and the baptism of infants take place in the Church as the community of faith. When an infant is baptised, a personal response will be offered at a later moment in life, with Christian nurture directed to the eliciting of this personal confession. Parents thus have the primary role and responsibility of passing on the faith to their children.

Confirmation is the process where a person, who has been baptised as a child, and is over the age of 16, decides to commit themselves as members of a church. In this regard, confirmation is exactly what it means — the candidate publicly affirms their faith and takes on the baptism vows that were made for them as children, and now commits themselves to be a member of the Methodist Church in Singapore.

1. When persons unite as professing members with a local Methodist church, they profess their faith in God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth; in Jesus Christ His only Son, and in the Holy Spirit. Thus, they make known their desire to live their daily lives as disciples of Jesus Christ. They covenant together with God and with the members of the local church to keep the vows which are a part of the order of confirmation and reception into the Church:
   a. To renounce the spiritual forces of wickedness, reject the evil powers of the world, and repent of their sin;
   b. To accept the freedom and power God gives them to resist evil, injustice, and oppression;
   c. To confess Jesus Christ Lord and Saviour and pledge their allegiance to his kingdom;
   d. To remain faithful members of Christ’s holy church and serve as Christ’s representatives in the world;
   e. To be loyal to Christ through The Methodist Church and do all in their power to strengthen its ministries;
   f. To faithfully participate in its ministries by their prayers, their presence, their gifts, their service, and their witness;
   g. To receive and profess the Christian faith as contained in the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments.
   h. Faithful membership in the local church is essential for personal growth and for developing an increasing sensitivity to the will and grace of God. As members involve themselves in private and public prayer, worship, the Sacraments, study, Christian action, systematic giving and holy discipline, they grow in their appreciation of Christ, understanding of God at work in history and the natural order, and an understanding of themselves.
2. Faithful discipleship includes the obligation to participate in the corporate life of the congregation with fellow members of the Body of Christ. A member is bound in sacred covenant to shoulder the burdens, share the risks and celebrate the joys of fellow members. A Christian is called to speak the truth in love, always ready to confront conflicts in the spirit of forgiveness and reconciliation.
3. A member of The Methodist Church is to be a servant of Christ on Mission in the local and worldwide community. The servanthood is performed in family life, daily work, recreation and social activities, responsible citizenship, the stewardship of property and accumulated resources, the issues of corporate life and all attitudes towards other persons. Participation in disciplined groups is an expected part of personal Mission involvement. Each member is called upon to be a witness for Christ in the world, a light and leaven in society, and a reconciler in a culture of conflict. Each member is to identify with the agony and suffering of the world and to radiate and exemplify the Christ. The standards of attitude and conduct set forth in the Social Principles shall be considered as an essential resource for guiding each member of the Church in being a servant of Christ on Mission.
4. All members of the church should study the principles of Christian stewardship and dedicate themselves, their time, talents, and substance to God and the advancement of His kingdom. In recognition of God’s ownership they should practice systematic and proportionate giving (Malachi 3:8-12; 1 Corinthians 16:2). They should regard Christian liberality as a privilege and sacred duty, and freely give of their substance for the spread of the gospel at home and abroad, for the maintenance of the local church and for the support of the agencies and enterprises of the general church.
5. All members are to be held accountable for their faithfulness to their covenant and vows with God and the other members of the church.

1) The child being baptised must be under 16 years of age
2) At least one of the child’s parents/guardians must have a living and active commitment to Jesus Christ as Saviour, Master, and Lord. This may be demonstrated by at least one of the parents being a full BMC member.
3) Both parents are to attend the parents’ briefing for their child’s baptism.
4) Parents need to submit all relevant documents and forms.

You must:
1) Be at least 16 years old
2) Not been baptised before
3) Submit all required forms and documents, including your personal testimony
4) Be interviewed by a staff member, pastor, or a lay leader
5) Attend all sessions of the Baptism classes

To be a member of BMC, you must:
1) Be at least 16 years old
2) Be a baptised Christian
3) Have attended services regularly in BMC for at least 1 year OR faithfully participating in a Disciple Group or ministry in BMC for at least 6 months, at the date of application.
4)⁠ ⁠Submit all required forms and documents, including personal testimony
5)⁠ ⁠Complete an interview with a pastoral staff, pastor, or lay leader
6)⁠ ⁠Attend all sessions of the membership classes
7)⁠ ⁠Journey with a sponsor for six months, be received into membership at our services

Then, there are three ways to be a member of BMC:
1) By satisfying the requirements for membership as a baptised Christian
2) By satisfying the requirements for confirmation (for persons baptised before the age of 16)
3) By satisfying the requirements for membership transfer from another church

You must:
1) Have a living and active commitment to Jesus Christ as your Saviour, Master, and Lord
2) Have been previously baptised as a child (before the age of 16), and not yet a member of any church, including BMC
3) Be active in a BMC Discipleship group or ministry for at least 6 months, as at the date of application
4) Submit all required forms and documents, including personal testimony
5) Complete an interview with a pastoral staff, pastor, or lay leader
6) Attend all sessions of the membership classes
7) Journey with a sponsor for six months, be received into membership at our services

You must:
1) Have a living and active commitment to Jesus Christ as your Saviour, Master, and Lord
2) Have been previously baptised, and hold a membership in another Christian church, as at the date of your application
3) Be a part of a Disciple Group or ministry in BMC for at least 6 months, at the date of application
4) Request for a transfer of membership from your previous church
5) Submit all required forms and documents, including personal testimony
6) Complete an interview with a pastoral staff, pastor, or lay leader
7) Attend all sessions of the membership classes
8) Journey with a sponsor for six months, be received into membership at our services

Registration for Baptism and Membership opens twice a year (January and August).

Registration opens: 12 January 2025 (Sunday)
Registration closes: 9 February 2025 (Sunday)
Parent’s briefing for child baptism: TBA
Baptism Service: 22 March 2025

Please contact disciple@bmc.org.sg or visit our BMC plus app to write in.

Visit our BMC plus app for more information for the relevant ministry.