Visitor Information
VISITOR INFORMATION
Are you looking for a place you can call home? Our prayer is for Murphy Road to be that place for you and we welcome you with open arms!
The purpose of this area of our site is to help remove that feeling of uncertainty you may have while visiting a new place. If you still have questions after searching this site please call the church office at 972-424-6026 (Extension 100) and Cindy will assist you in any way she can.
Welcome home!
What do I wear?
You will see anything from shorts and flip flops to suits and ties. God is concerned about the condition of the heart, not the condition of the clothes and so are we. Feel free to dress in whatever makes you feel most comfortable.
When are the services?
- Church Classic, a traditional service, is at 8:30am. This
service includes your favorite hymns, choir and special music.
- Church Casual, a contemporary service, is at 11:00am. This
service features today's contemporary chorus' sung by the
MRBC praise band, choir and special music.
- Children's Church, 11:00 am for children 3 years through
4th grade in the South Building.
Where do I park and when should I arrive?
Visitor parking is located near the front entrance at the north end of the parking lot. We recommend you arrive about 5 minutes prior to the service you are attending. If you have children to take to the Nursery we recommend arriving about 15 minutes early.
Where is the Nursery?
Take a left down the hall as soon as you enter the front doors. Your child will be signed in to the Nursery and parents will be issued a pager. If your child needs assistance during the service or Bible Fellowship you will be called via the pager. I want to attend Bible Fellowship. Where do I go?
All adult and children's classes meet in the main building. Students in the 7th-12th grade meet in the South building. Regardless of your age or learning style, there is a class for you. We encourage you to attend multiple classes until you find a class that you feel most comfortable in. Below is a list of classes along with teachers and location.
CHILDREN
All preschool and kindergarten classes use God Prints curriculum issued by Cook Communication Resources.
All elementary classes (1st-6th) use Bible Teaching For Kids curriculum issued by LifeWay.
- Bed Babies for babies not yet mobile (Room 123)
- Creepers and Crawlers (Room 122)
- 2 Year Olds (Room 229)
- 3 Year Olds (Room 230)
- 4 Year Olds (Room 232)
- Kindergarten (Room 215)
- 1st Grade (Room 224)
- 2nd Grade (Room 222)
- 3rd Grade (Room 220)
- 4th/5th Grade (Room 106)
- 6th Grade (Room 217)
YOUTH
Youth includes 7th-12th Grades. All youth classes use Talk Sheets curriculum issued by Youth Specialties and all youth classes meet in the South Building.
ADULTS
Click here for Adult
Bible Fellowship classes. All 100's are on the first floor of
the main building, 200's are on the 2nd floor of the main building,
and 300's are in the South Building. Also refer to the Building
Map.
How can I get more information about MRBC once I'm there?
In the Lobby you will find a Visitor Information Packet which contains helpful information for our guests. These are located on the table along the brick wall. You can also visit the Hospitality Room (located just inside the doors to the Sanctuary) which is the gathering place for more information about MRBC. You will be greeted by a church member who can answer questions you may have and direct you to the information you need.
How do I become a member in MRBC?
You can join Murphy Road Baptist Church upon a profession of your faith in Jesus Christ as your personal savior and by believer's baptism in one the following ways:
1. Present yourself as a candidate for baptism and we will baptize you.
2. Come by transfer of letter from another Baptist church, which testifies to your previous baptism.
3. Come by statement of your baptism in another Christian church that practices believer's baptism by immersion. You may present yourself during the Time of Commitment during any Sunday Morning Worship Service.
Our pastors are always available to discuss salvation and baptism. To make an appointment with a pastor, please call the church office at 972-423-6026 or see the staff page for e-mail addresses.
If I attend church regularly then why should I become a member?
For the person who has chosen to follow the Lord Jesus Christ, membership in a local church is important for three essential reasons...
It is Biblical!
Collective and corporate worship is a vital part of spiritual life (Hebrews 10:24). Therefore a commitment to a local body of like-minded believers will ensure three benefits in your walk with Christ:
1. Your personal spiritual growth and the fulfillment of your Christian responsibility (Eph. 4:11-15)
2. Your personal accountability (Gal. 6:1-2); and 3) Your Christian productivity (I Cor. 12:1-31).
It is Theological!
The New Testament affirms that when a person makes a personal commitment to follow Jesus Christ he is "baptized into one body" (1 Cor. 12:13). This figurative expression affirms that to be a Christian is to be an active member of Christ's church. It is in the context of a local body (church) of believers that you exercise your spiritual gift, you receive biblical instruction, and you actively join with others to fulfill the Great Commission (Matt. 28:19-20).
It is Practical!
Your commitment to membership in a local church provides many practical benefits for you, your family, and your extended church family. Some of these benefits include: 1) The ability for us all to do more together than we could ever possibly do alone; 2) The confidence in knowing that you have found a place where you can meet new friends and develop meaningful relationships; and 3) The peace and assurance of having like-minded friends who will hold you accountable in your weaknesses, encourage you in your disappointments, and rejoice with you in your victories.
Questions Regarding Baptism:
Why Should I Be Baptized?
To follow the example set by Jesus: "At that time Jesus came from Nazareth and was baptized by John in the river." Mark 1:9
Because Christ commanded it: "Jesus said, 'Go then, to all people everywhere and make them my disciples, baptize them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and then teach them to obey everything I have commanded you.'" Matthew 28:19-20
It demonstrates that I really am a believer: "...many of the people who heard Him believed and were baptized." Acts 18:8 "We know that we have come to know Him, if we obey His commands." 1 John 2:3
What is the Meaning of Baptism?
It illustrates Christ's burial and resurrection: "Christ died for our sins... He was buried... and He rose again." I Corinthians 15:3-4 "For when you were baptized, you were buried with Christ, and in baptism you were also raised with Christ." Colossians 2:12
It illustrates my new life as a Christian: "When someone becomes a Christian he becomes a brand new person inside. The old life has passed away and a new life has begun!" 2 Corinthians 5:17 "By our baptism then, we were buried with Him and shared His death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead... so also we may live a new life!" Romans 6:4 Baptism doesn't make you a believer - it shows that you already believe.
Baptism does not "save" you, only your faith in Christ does that. Baptism is like a wedding ring - it's the outward symbol of the commitment you make in your heart. "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith... it is the gift of God - not by works, so that no one can boast." Ephesians 2:8,9
Why Be Baptized by Immersion?
Because Jesus was baptized that way: "As soon as Jesus was baptized, He went up out of the water." Matthew 3:16 Every baptism in the Bible was by immersion: "...then both Philip and the man went down into the water and Philip baptized him. When they came up out of the water..." Acts 8:38-39 The word Baptize means "To dip under water"
The Greek work baptizo means "to immerse or dip under water". It best symbolized a burial and resurrection!
The founders of denominations agree: Martin Luther... "I would have those who are to be baptized to be entirely immersed, as the work imports and the mystery signifies." John Calvin... "The word ´baptize´ signifies to immerse.
It is certain that immersion was the practice of the ancient church." John Wesley... "Buried with Him, alludes to baptizing by immersion according to the custom of the first church."
Who Should Be Baptized?
Every person who has believed in Christ: "Those who believe and accepted His message were baptized..." Acts 2:41 Simon himself believed and was baptized..." Acts 8:13 "But when they believed Philip as he preached the Good News... and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women." Acts 8:12
At Murphy Road Baptist Church, we wait until our children are old enough to believe and understand the true meaning of baptism before we baptize them.
Some churches practice a "baptism of confirmation" for children. This ceremony is intended to be a covenant between the parents and God on the behalf of the child. The parents promise to raise their child in the faith until the child is old enough to make his own personal confession of Christ.
This custom began about 300 years after the Bible was completed. This is different from the baptism talked about in the Bible which was only for those old enough to believe. The purpose is to publicly confess your personal commitment to Christ. At Murphy Road Baptist Church, every member must experience baptism the way Jesus demonstrated, even though many of us were "confirmed" as children.
When Should I Be Baptized?
As soon as you have believed: "Those who believe...were baptized...that day!" Acts 2:41 "Then Philip began with the scripture and told him the Good News about Jesus. As they traveled along the road, they came to some water, and the man said, ´Look, here is water! Why shouldn´t I be baptized right now?´ Philip said, ´If you believe with all your heart, you may.´ The man answered, ´I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.´ So they went down into the water and Philip baptized him." Acts 8:35-38
There is no reason to delay. As soon as you have decided to receive Christ into your life, you can and should be baptized. If you wait until you are "perfect", you will never feel "good enough"!
Can My Family Be Baptized Together?
Yes! If each family member understands fully the meaning of baptism, and each one has personally placed his/her trust in Christ for salvation, we encourage families to be baptized at the same time. It is a wonderful expression of commitment. Young children who wish to be baptized are asked to meet with one of our ministers for a pre-baptism conversation.
However, it is important to remember that baptism is a personal statement of faith, not a family tradition. It is usually not wise to delay your baptism while waiting on other family members to accept Christ, particularly children. This puts an undue pressure on them, and delays your obedience.
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