splash!

On Sunday morning we will be having another service of Believer’s Baptism at our church.

Wooohooo!

Baptising people is one of the (many) highlights / privileges of being a Baptist Minister. It’s not the physical act of dunking (although that is fun!) so much as being a part of one of the most significant moments of their life. I usually spend a few sessions with those who are preparing to be baptised talking about what Baptism means by exploring the vows that they will make:

‘Do you believe in one God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit?’

‘I do’

‘Do you confess Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour?’

‘I do.’

‘Do you turn from sin, renounce evil and intend to follow Christ?’

‘I do.’        

‘Will you live within the fellowship of the church and will you serve Jesus Christ in the world?’

‘I will’

These questions and answers come from the Baptist Union of Great Britain’s book ‘Gathering for Worship’.  They are a summary of the basic beliefs of the Christian faith. If someone can answer these questions in the ways suggested we can be absolutely confident that they are a follower of Jesus. But while they may be orthodox, they are also impersonal and can seem a bit clinical. For this reason we ask the candidates to share their faith journey in their own words as well.

I have already had a sneak preview of the testimonies that the two candidates will share with us and they are very different but both inspiring. They are accounts of God at work in people’s lives. That in itself makes me weep with joy.

Please join me in praying for Dan and Adeyenka, who are being baptised, that it will be a day of real blessing for them. Pray too for their friends and family who are coming to watch them, that they will be encouraged and inspired by what they see and will encounter Jesus too.

No joke today, just a link to Youtube (apologies to pedants for spelling on the Youtube header!)