Profess Baptismal & Membership Class

GCCP practices believer’s baptism by water immersion in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit because it sets forth the essential facts of redemption (the death and resurrection of Christ) and also the essential outlook of the believer (death to sin and alive unto God). (Matthew 28:19; Acts 2:37-41; 8:36-39; Romans 6:3-10)

Before a person can be baptized, he or she must have accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as his or her personal Savior. The Bible order is always salvation first, then baptism. Baptism does not save.

Based on our existing church practice and policies, your being baptized at GCCP also qualifies you to be a member of the church. Therefore, if you have a different home church or are currently attending another church, we encourage you to get baptized at that church, which is more meaningful.

At GCCP, you can become a member of the church in two ways: (1) Through baptism if you have not been baptized into the protestant faith, or (2) Through the Membership Class if you have been baptized in another Bible-believing evangelical church but wish to make GCCP your church home.

As a member of GCCP, you affirm and agree to our Statement of Faith and Church Constitution, as well as to the mission, vision, founding principles, and position papers of the church, and willingly submit to the authority of GCCP for spiritual accountability and correction. Being an active member allows you to serve in various areas of ministry at GCCP subject to the requirements of those ministries, as well as avail of various membership services provided by the church (i.e. weddings, child dedication, etc.).

1.  You must have accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as your personal Savior. If already baptized, you must have been baptized into the Protestant faith by a Bible-believing evangelical church acknowledged and recognized by GCCP. 

2.  You are living a life that indicates you are born-again and submitting to the Lordship of Jesus Christ in your life. 

3.  You are willing to learn and follow the teachings and doctrines of Christianity as stated in the GCCP Statement of Faith.

4.  You are at least 14 years old at the time of baptism to ensure spiritual maturity and awareness of what you are doing. 

• In extreme circumstances, the church may baptize those under the age of 14 if there is a compelling reason based on the discretion of the pastoral staff of the church.

• If you are under the age of 18, we will require that your parents/guardians give their consent. While baptism is a personal decision, it is also a public declaration of your inward faith, and so the church desires that your family knows about this special time in your life. If your parents will not agree to sign the form, then obey them, and remember God knows your heart’s intention and desire. You will have the opportunity to participate in the future.

5.  You are regularly attending one of GCCP’s worship services for at least six months (for baptism) or one year (for membership) PRIOR to submission of your application form.

• Regular church worship outwardly demonstrates the Lordship of Christ in your life and your desire to be part of GCCP. The baptismal class does not replace church worship and you can attend the worship service before or after the class. 

• If you do not regularly attend worship service, your testimony may be put in question and may result in you being disqualified from being baptized at GCCP.

6.  You are willing to submit to the authority of the church and be a responsible member of the GCCP community.

1. Duly accomplished Application Form for Baptism and Church Membership.

2. Signed Acknowledgement and Agreement to the GCCP Guidelines and Policies for Baptism and Church Membership.

3. Signed Parental Consent Form (for applicants below 18 years old).

4. Proof of Baptism (to another recognized Evangelical church, if already baptized).

5. Clear photocopy of your NSO/PSA Birth Certificate.

6. 2x2 picture with your name.

7. Personal testimony of salvation, typed (preferred) or handwritten on 8.5” x 11” sheet of white paper. Should clearly state the following details:

• Your family background

• Your life before accepting Jesus Christ as your personal Savior

• What a person must do to receive eternal life

• Circumstances (why, when, how) surrounding your accepting of Jesus Christ as your personal Savior

• Your life after accepting Jesus Christ as your personal Savior

• Why you decided to be baptized at GCCP and why you want to make GCCP your church home 

Pre-Class Interview

Prior to your admittance into the Baptismal and Membership Class, an interview will be conducted by one of the church’s pastors, elders or deacons to ensure that you are ready for believer’s baptism. The church reserves the right to determine your eligibility to take the class.

Class Attendance

• Due to the short period covered by the classes, you are only allowed one (1) excused absence for each class with the approval of the teacher. If you are absent for more than one session, you may be required to retake the course before you can be baptized and/or become a member at GCCP. In very rare and extenuating circumstances, if you have more than one absence, makeup classes may be offered. 

• Please come on time; being late for more than 15 minutes after the class starts is considered an absence. Let us take our commitment seriously. 

• If you are 70 years old and above, you may be exempted from attending the classes based on certain qualified conditions. However, an interview will be required and conducted by a church pastor, minister, elder or deacon, in order to know you better as an individual, to ensure your faith in Jesus Christ, to know your testimony and faith walk, your understanding of the basics of the Christian Faith, your worship service attendance, and your understanding of your participation of believer’s baptism and/or joining the church as member.

Final Interview

• At the completion of the class, a final interview by a church pastor, elder, or deacon will be conducted to ask you about your faith in Jesus Christ, your testimony, your understanding of the basics of the Christian Faith, your church worship attendance, and your understanding of your participation of believer’s baptism and/or joining the church as member. 

• The church reserves the right to disqualify you from being baptized, even if you attended the class, if we feel you are not ready to be baptized. 

• For membership applicants, approval of your application will be based upon the collective recommendation of the GCCP Pastoral Staff. The church reserves the right to accept or deny membership if you fail to meet the requirements.

All baptismal candidates must participate in the Baptismal Ceremony. If for whatever reason you are unable to attend the scheduled baptismal service date, you have the option of attending the next scheduled baptismal service without having to retake the class. However, if you miss that baptismal service as well, then you will have to retake the class.

As part of your public profession of faith and/or being welcomed as a member of the church, in order for the church community to know you, a public recognition will be required. The main objective of this recognition is so that the entire church body can celebrate with you. Our public recognition takes the form of:

• Video recording

• Pictures

• Presentation before the congregation during the services

• Putting your name in our church bulletin

• Others

If there are extenuating circumstances (i.e. safety, etc.) as to why you do not want to be publicly recognized, you can explain to the church in writing. The church will make a decision upon evaluation of your expressed concern. 

After your baptism, you will receive a baptism certificate and/or a membership certificate from GCCP. Please secure these original forms and make copies because the church DOES NOT keep duplicates of these certificates in our records.

According to church policy and practice, if one has not been regularly attending GCCP worship services for a period of time, the church may inactivate your membership. 

In order to reactivate your church membership, you will be required to attend our Membership Classes. This will ensure that after being gone for a period of time, you will be updated and made aware of the current ministry philosophy and direction of GCCP. 

Please note that as part of your membership reactivation, you may be publicly recognized and presented to the congregation. 

Having a membership status that is active gives you the privilege of serving in GCCP and availing of various membership services we provide (i.e. weddings, child dedication, etc.)

Code of Conduct • Parent's Consent • Health and Safety Policy • Medical Emergency • Liability Waiver • Photo and Video Release • Privacy Policy