Now you have read our web site, you may have one or two questions!  This page may answer some of those questions, but if not you can contact us by telephone or e-mail (see our contacts page) and we will do all we can to answer your queries!

Q]  We read in the Bible about people being baptised, but does this still go on today?

A]  Yes and it's not just in Baptist churches that people are being baptised.  Baptism by 'full immersion' is a common practice in a wide variety of Christian churches.

Q]  So why do people get baptised?

A]  When someone has made the decision to commit their lives to Christ, baptism is simply an act of obedience ('Repent and be baptised') and is also an outward sign of that commitment.  The act of baptism itself symbolises the dying of the old 'self' (as the person goes under the water) and the re-birth (hence the expression 'Born Again') of the new person, having had their sins washed away.   

Q]  I have been told that Baptist Churches don't actually baptise babies - is that true?

A]  Baptist churches don't usually baptise babies but instead we hold a special 'Dedication Service' - this is similar to a Christening Service but instead of the baby being 'Baptised' or 'Christened' the babies life is 'Dedicated' to God.  It is an opportunity for parents to present their new baby before God in a service of thanksgiving.  It is also an opportunity for friends and family to stand united before God and to pledge their desire to ensure the child has a proper upbringing and that they will encourage the child to grow up with an understanding of the Christian faith.

Q]  In Radford Semele, most people seem to get married at St Nicholas Church.  Do you have weddings at the Baptist Church? 

A]  Yes!  Although St Nicholas Church is the 'Parish Church' of the village of Radford Semele, we have had several weddings at RSBC in recent years, some for church members but also some for people who live in the village but don't actually belong to either church.    However, at the moment we do not have a register of weddings so we require the attendance of a registrar for the duration of the wedding ceremony itself - this is usually easily arranged provided there is sufficient notice given.

Q] What about funerals - do you carry out funeral services? 

A] Yes, although we don't have a graveyard, we do carry out funeral services.  Following the service people are usually cremated at Oakley Wood Crematorium or sometimes buried in the churchyard at St Nicholas Church or the cemetary in Leamington Spa. Sometimes our minister will conduct the entire service at the crematorium depending on the wishes of the family.

Q]  Many years ago I attended Sunday School at the Baptist church - is there still a Sunday School today?

A]  Yes, actually we have two groups on most Sundays.  We have a group for primary school age and a group (Junior Church) for slightly older pre-teenage children.   There is always a parent run creche facility available, so people with toddlers or babies have a means of escape if things get really noisy!

Q]  Are these all the questions? 

A]  No, more will be posted here very soon!