History and Baptism
Brief History of RCC RCC can trace its history back to 1972 where a group of people in Rugeley decided to meet together for mid-week bible studies. After a while, the group grew and sought a place to meet on Sunday mornings in addition to the mid-week meetings. The group rented space at The Handicap Centre in Church street.
Brief History of RCC In 1975, as the Church grew further to around 20-30 people, it was decided to move the Sunday morning meetings to The Community Centre at Fernwood shops. Around 1980, Rugeley Evangelical Free Church started their journey to move into their own, purpose built premises opposite the Community Centre at Fernwood. The Church moved in in 1983.
Brief History of RCC A few years after this, Will Graham was appointed as the first full-time Pastor, he was later succeeded by Colin Philips. In 2001, Nigel Lloyd moved to Rugeley to lead the Church into a new era which was marked by renaming the Church “Rugeley Community Church” and joining the New Frontiers movement founded by Terry Virgo.
Brief History of RCC The next leader of Rugeley Community Church was Dave Turner who moved from South Africa with his family in 2005. Richard Miller who was serving in eldership under Dave Turner then took on the leadership of the Church in 2009. In 2010, Rugeley Community Church started to activity create a building fund and look into opportunities to rent, lease, build or acquire a new and larger meeting space.
Brief History of RCC In 2015, Rugeley Community Church successfully won the bidding process to take over the running and operation of Rugeley Youth and Community Centre. We sold the premises in Fernwood and, after a brief spell meeting at the Secondary School on Burnthill Lane, moved into the Centre. In 2016 we increased our staff to include two part-time co- ordinators and a full-time building manager. Also in 2016, the decision was taken to step away from New Frontiers and be overseen by experienced Church leaders that we had built strong relationships with.
Philip and the eunuch (acts 8:26-39) 26 Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, “Rise and go toward the south to the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” This is a desert place. 27 And he rose and went. And there was an Ethiopian, a eunuch, a court official of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, who was in charge of all her treasure. He had come to Jerusalem to worship 28 and was returning, seated in his chariot, and he was reading the prophet Isaiah. 29 And the Spirit said to Philip, “Go over and join this chariot.” 30 So Philip ran to him and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet and asked, “Do you understand what you are reading?” 31 And he said, “How can I, unless someone guides me?” And he invited Philip to come up and sit with him.
Philip and the eunuch (acts 8:26-39) 35 Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning with this Scripture he told him the good news about Jesus. 36 And as they were going along the road they came to some water, and the eunuch said, “See, here is water! What prevents me from being baptized?” 38 And he commanded the chariot to stop, and they both went down into the water, Philip and the eunuch, and he baptized him. 39 And when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord carried Philip away, and the eunuch saw him no more, and went on his way rejoicing.
Have you Do you Yes been believe? (woohoo!) Baptised? Not Yes No No Sure (woohoo!) Talk, watch, Grow, mature, Why not? learn, listen, serve, lead, give, Let’s talk. let go & step out worship, enjoy! (and keep going)
Have you Not ready been Not worthy Baptised? Spiritual issue Practical issue Fear issue No Differing Biblical opinion Never been asked, Putting it off or Why not? Disobedience Let’s talk.
No, but Have you Do you Yes I will been believe? (woohoo!) be soon! Baptised? Not Yes No No Sure (woohoo!) Talk, watch, Grow, mature, Why not? learn, listen, serve, lead, give, Let’s talk. let go & step out worship, enjoy! (and keep going)
Key Aspects of Baptism Immersion Baptism comes from Greek word baptizõ which means to “dip, submerge, plunge” something into water. John the Baptist used a deep section of the river Jordan. Philip baptised the Ethiopian eunuch when they came to suitable water.
Key Aspects of Baptism Personally Endorsed by Jesus Jesus himself is publically baptised by John Jesus and his disciples baptised loads of people “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 28:19)
Royal Endorsement
Key Aspects of Baptism Jesus’ plan for all Christians Jesus says “Whoever believes and is baptised will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned” (Mark 16:16) A command by Peter for the Gentiles (acts 10:48)
Key Aspects of Baptism The Holy Spirit Falls on the Gentiles (acts 10) 44 While Peter was still saying these things, the Holy Spirit fell on all who heard the word. 45 And the believers from among the circumcised who had come with Peter were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit was poured out even on the Gentiles. 46 For they were hearing them speaking in tongues and extolling God. Then Peter declared, 47 “Can anyone withhold water for baptizing these people, who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?” 48 And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to remain for some days.
Key Aspects of Baptism Personally Significant We are doing as Jesus did. We indentify in His death (Romans 6:3-4) We are born again (Galatians 2:20 and 3:27) We are raised with Him by faith (Colossians 2:12) A helpful reminder of your commitment to Jesus
Key Aspects of Baptism Public You cannot baptise yourself Accountability Wonderful opportunity to talk about your faith as well as bless and encourage others Wonderful opportunity to be blessed by the Church and to get to know people
Key Aspects of Baptism It does not make you perfect The Holy Spirit leads us to faith and wilful submission and obedience The Holy Spirit guides us onwards We are free to make our own decisions Our journey to become more like Christ will take a lifetime to complete
Key Aspects of Baptism Immersion Personally endorsed by Jesus Jesus’ plan for all Christians Personally significant Public It does not make you perfect
No, but Have you Do you Yes I will been believe? (woohoo!) be soon! Baptised? Not Yes No No Sure (woohoo!) Talk, watch, Grow, mature, Why not? learn, listen, serve, lead, give, Let’s talk. let go & step out worship, enjoy! (and keep going)
History and Baptism
No, but Have you Do you Yes I will been believe? (woohoo!) be soon! Baptised? Not Yes No No Sure (woohoo!) Talk, watch, Grow, mature, Why not? learn, listen, serve, lead, give, Let’s talk. let go & step out worship, enjoy! (and keep going)
No, but Have you Do you Yes I will been believe? (woohoo!) be soon! Baptised? Not Yes No No Sure (woohoo!) Talk, watch, Grow, mature, Why not? learn, listen, serve, lead, give, Let’s talk. let go & step out worship, enjoy! (and keep going)
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