The Best Decision You’ll Ever Make

Becoming a Christian is about being given a fresh start by God, when we realise that we have made a mess of things and need Jesus Christ to help.  Jesus gave His life to make all things new, including us.  He died to pay for our sins and was raised from the dead to show that the forgiveness and new life He brings are real.  When we trust Jesus, we become children of our Heavenly Father by the power of the Holy Spirit living in us, which shows that, like Jesus, we will pass through death into everlasting life.  The first step in that relationship with our Heavenly Father is a prayer of trust, like the one below.  When the time is right for you, we encourage you to express your trust in Jesus.

Heavenly Father, thank you for making and loving me, even when I've ignored you and gone my own way. I am sorry for my sins, please forgive me. I now turn from everything that I know is wrong.  Thank you for your Son, Jesus Christ, who died on the cross for me, so that I could be forgiven and set free.  Please come into my life by your Holy Spirit and help me to become like You, in Jesus’ Name.  Amen.

Baptism, Confirmation & Holy Communion

Sacraments are gifts from God to help us follow Jesus Christ. We celebrate two sacraments, Holy Baptism and Holy Communion. We call them holy because we believe that in and through the outward physical sign (water or bread and wine) the Holy Spirit inwardly strengthens us.  Followers of Jesus should be baptised to follow the example set by Jesus, because Jesus commands it and to demonstrate belief.  Baptism, whether by immersion in water or by the pouring of water, signifies union with Christ, forgiveness of sins and the gift of the Holy Spirit.  Baptism is administered once to each disciple and illustrates Christ’s death and resurrection and our new life in Him.

If you have decided to follow Jesus and have never been baptised, then be baptised!  If you were baptised as a baby, then it’s important to express your own faith in Jesus Christ by being confirmed.  In Confirmation a believer, (aged school year 10 and above), publicly declares his or her faith and is prayed for by the bishop to be strengthened by the Holy Spirit for service.  Being baptised and confirmed, (or baptised when you are old enough to answer for yourself), marks becoming a full communicant church member, opening the way to join in Holy Communion.  We recognise the equivalent rites of other Christian denominations leading to communicant membership, for example, baptism and being welcomed into full church membership within the Methodist Church or Presbyterian Church.

Holy Communion is the sacrament in which, according to Christ's command, we make continual remembrance of Him, His passion, death and resurrection, until His coming again, and in which we   thankfully receive the benefits of His sacrifice, (from Revised Catechism).  We prepare for Holy Communion by self-examination, confession of our sins and recommitment to live according to the Bible’s teaching, including restoring broken relationships, as far as that depends on us.

To find out details of preparation, please contact nigel@bangorparishchurch.org.uk