WHAT'S
HAPPENING
AT HARBOR?
SERVING AT HARBOR
We believe that church isn’t a spectator sport – God has given all of us time and talents that can be used for something bigger than ourselves. Joining a team is one of the best ways to really get connected at Harbor; to find real friendships, discover your gifts, and be like Jesus by meeting others’ needs. No matter what you’re into, we’ve got a spot for you!
OUR SERVE TEAMS
So, what does it actually look like to be on a team? Here’s a little sample of some of the many ways God can use you to be a part of what He’s doing at Harbor:
WELCOME & HOSPITALITY
Whether it’s a friendly wave in the parking lot, a fresh cup of coffee, or someone to help you find a seat, these teams help make sure everyone feels welcome & wanted at Harbor from start to finish.
NEXT GEN
WORSHIP & PRODUCTION
MEDIA
LOGISTICS
CARE
BAPTISM
Baptism is God’s designed way to go public with your faith – to announce to anyone watching that you’ve accepted salvation through Jesus’ sacrifice, and have been made new. If you’ve made the internal decision to accept Jesus as your Savior and put Him in the driver’s seat of your life, baptism is your next step!
FAQ:
How Should I Be Baptized?
While some churches sprinkle, baptism by being completely immersed in water was the undisputed church practice for the first 1,300 years of church history. The very word “baptism” means “to immerse” and that’s what the Bible records, so we believe that if you’re physically able, you should get completely dunked. Immersion is also what completes the symbol that baptism represents – the old you dying and being buried [going under the water] and being made into a new person with a new life in Christ [coming up from the water].
Romans 6:3-4
3 Or have you forgotten that when we were joined with Christ Jesus in baptism, we joined him in his death? 4 For we died and were buried with Christ by baptism. And just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious power of the Father, now we also may live new lives.
Do We Baptize Infants?
At Harbor, we don’t baptize infants because every baptism recorded in the Bible occurred when someone was old enough to make their own personal faith decision. Baptism is a step of obedience that follows salvation, and salvation is a choice that can only be made by someone mature enough to decide what they believe. In lieu of an infant baptism, we have baby dedications, which allow parents an opportunity to express their desire to raise their kids to love and serve God.
If I Was Baptized as an Infant, Should I Be Baptized Again?
Your infant baptism was certainly a very special moment for your family. But at Harbor, infant baptism is similar to what we call “baby dedication.” Once you personally come to an age where you can decide for yourself to put your faith in Jesus, baptism is the next step. Don’t be afraid to get re-baptized as an act of worship and obedience to Christ.
Does the Water Wash Away My Sins?
Whether it’s water in the ocean or water in a tub, there’s nothing special about the water that’s used for baptism. The Bible is clear that we’re saved by God’s grace, not by baptism, not by our own works.
Romans 10:9-10
9 If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved.
Baptism is not salvation; Christ’s sacrifice on the cross is really what washes away sins and pays our debt. It’s better to think of it like this: baptism is to salvation as a wedding ceremony is to a marriage. It’s a public declaration of an internal event.
Do You Have to be Baptized to be a Christian?
It’s clearly established in the Bible that you become a Christian by accepting God’s free gift of grace. For example, the thief on the cross hanging beside Jesus was saved on the spot and was never baptized.
Luke 23:39-43
39 One of the criminals hanging beside him scoffed, “So you’re the Messiah, are you? Prove it by saving yourself—and us, too, while you’re at it!” 40 But the other criminal protested, “Don’t you fear God even when you have been sentenced to die? 41 We deserve to die for our crimes, but this man hasn’t done anything wrong.” 42 Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom.” 43And Jesus replied, “I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise.”
While baptism is not what saves us, baptism is necessary in that God commands it. All genuine Christ-followers should want to obey Jesus by doing what he said, and by doing what he did. Even Jesus, the perfect Son of God, showed us the importance of baptism by being baptized himself.
Matthew 3:13-17
13 Then Jesus went from Galilee to the Jordan River to be baptized by John. 14 But John tried to talk him out of it. “I am the one who needs to be baptized by you,” he said, “so why are you coming to me?” 15 But Jesus said, “It should be done, for we must carry out all that God requires.[a]” So John agreed to baptize him. 16 After his baptism, as Jesus came up out of the water, the heavens were opened[b] and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and settling on him. 17 And a voice from heaven said, “This is my dearly loved Son, who brings me great joy.”
What If I Believe It’s Just a Technicality?
If you’re holding off on being baptized because you feel it’s unnecessary, take some time to examine your motives and pray for God to help you grasp His heart on baptism. Ask yourself, “Why is it that I don’t want to be baptized?” If you’re waiting for God to directly prompt you to be baptized, you don’t have to wait any longer. He already makes that challenge to each Christ-follower by his Word.
Matthew 28:19-20
19 Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations,[a] baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. 20 Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
What If I Still Have Questions?
We sit down with anyone who signs up to be baptized at Harbor, giving you a chance to talk to a leader about what it means, why it matters, and answer any questions or doubts you may have. So feel free to sign up; it’s not a commitment, it just means we’ll set up a meeting with you and a leader to talk about whether or not it’s the next step for you!
WHY DO WE GIVE?
Giving isn’t about guilt or obligation – it’s an act of faith, choosing to surrender a portion of what God has blessed us with by giving it back to Him through the local church. It’s never been about an amount, but about our hearts; and the truth is that our hearts tend to be all tied up in our money. If you consider Harbor to be your church and are ready to trust God with your finances, your giving will be used to share the Gospel on Cape Cod and around the world, and to bless our neighbors right here in our community.
Harbor Church is a recognized non-profit organization, and all donations are tax deductible. You can click below to give online, drop your offering in a giving box at any of our locations, or give by mail at 957 Falmouth Rd, Hyannis, MA 02601.