WELCOME CARD

Sunday January 25th

FORM HERE
details here
meet our team here

CHURCH PICNIC - TODAY! after the service

Join us for a picnic after church at Penders Park.

BYO food and picnic supplies.

KIDS AND YOUTH SUNDAY PROGRAMS IN SCHOOL HOLIDAYS

During school holidays it is so good to have all ages in our church family together to worship God and learn from his word! It will also give our volunteers a break as we reach the end of the year.

  • Preschool-aged children - Creche is back on with volunteers ready to supervise children.

  • School-aged children - There will be activity sheets for children of all ages (from creche to year 12), including sermon notesheets for older youth. All ages are welcome to remain in the service. Parents are responsible for supervising their children. Please do feel free to use the care room as well if that's helpful.

BAPTISM COURSE - Sunday February 8th and 15th, 2pm

Adam is running a two-session baptism course for those interested in getting baptised or simply learning more. To find out more details or sign up, visit here.

You can also read this document for some more information: Getting Baptised at DPC

Interested in having your child baptised or doing a thanksgiving spot? Please have a look at this document: Bringing Your Child to God at DPC

WE ARE SHARING IN THE LORD’S SUPPER NEXT SUNDAY

Please be preparing your heart to share in the Lord‘s Supper next Sunday with Christ and his people.  

DPC’s beliefs and practices with regard to the Lord’s Supper can be found here: 

If you have questions, contact Pastor Adam.

UPCOMING

SERMONS

  • January 25th - Covenantal Baptism #2 (focus on baptising children of believers)

  • February 1st - Our new Mission and Values (short series)

PRAYER MEETING

NEXT DATES FOR ORDINARY MEETINGS OF SESSION AND BOARD OF MANAGEMENT

If you have an item you would like considered, please contact the relevant person. See here for more details and contact information. 

 

Bible Readings

You can find the Bible passages online at Bible Gateway.

 
 

Sermon Outline

Covenantal Baptism & Children

Genesis 17:1-16 and Colossians 2:9-15

Baptism is the sign of belonging to the covenant people of God so we give it to the children of believers and call them to have faith in the promises of God.

  1. “The minister wants to baptise our baby!”

  2. God’s salvation plan consists of a series of covenants

    • A biblical covenant is a solemn agreement between two parties with blessings and curses attached (Deuteronomy 29; Genesis 9:8-11; Genesis 17:3-11)

    • There is one covenant of grace administered differently across time (Genesis 15:6; Galatians 3:6-18; Jeremiah 31:31-32)

    • God has provided covenant signs to symbolise and guarantee his promises

      • Noahic = Rainbow; Abrahamic = Circumcision; Mosaic (Old) = Circumcision and Passover and more; New = Baptism and the Lord’s Supper

  3. Baptism replaced circumcision as a sign of belonging to the people of God – Colossians 2:11-12; Romans 4:9-12

    • Both point to the same reality

    • Both are a rite of initiation

    • Baptism entails an expansion of who receives the sign

    • There is no command to stop giving the covenantal sign to children

    • Not everyone who receives covenant signs is saved (Romans 2:28-29; 4:9-11; 9:6-8; Hebrews 6:4-6)

    • The children of Christians are viewed as insiders not outsiders (1 Corinthians 7:12-14)

  4. How do we respond?

    • Parents: Let’s do a baptism or thanksgiving spot for your child

    • Everyone: Let’s welcome the children of believers as young disciples

RESOURCES

Why Do We Baptize Infants? – a booklet (32 pages) by Bryan Chapell

  • A brief summary of the key arguments.

  • Adam has copies for free.

How Our Children Come to Faith – a booklet (28 pages) by Stephen Smallman

  • A brief and thought-provoking book that will encourage parents in their efforts to disciple their children. He speaks of conversion as the point when a regenerate person personally takes hold of Christ by faith.

  • Adam has copies for free

Covenantal Baptism – book by Jason Helopolous.

  • Great explanation of covenants and baptism and God’s kindness! Helpful on baptism in general but also for those wondering about baptising the children of believers.

  • Purchase at book stores, like Reformers.

What is Coventantal Baptism – article by Gabriel D

Why You Should Remember Your Baptism – article by Christopher David

Getting Baptised at DPC – paper by Adam Humphries

Bringing You Child to God at DPC - paper by Adam Humphries