In September 2009 the Christchurch, friends and family gathered to witness and celebrate the baptism of 6 new Christians. It's always a great occasion and this was no exception.
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Jesus told his disciples to baptise people in his name and the Church has always done so publicly. Baptism is an open declaration to the world by the new believer that they have acccepted Jesus as their Lord and Saviour. |
Baptism is symbolic of the 'new birth' or being 'born again' as Jesus tells Nicodemus in John chapter 2.
That means a person 'dies' spiritually to self sybolised by going down into the water where they cannot breathe, and is 'reborn' spiritually to Jesus which is symbolised by being raised back up into the air. |
Their life is no longer a selfish one where they are the boss,but it now belongs to Jesus.
Just as Jesus is living eternally so this new life of the Christian is to be an eternal one too. |
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Of course they will still die physically, but then miraculously be raised up again to a new physical life. |
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The Bible says many times that Christians are
'in Christ'
and he is 'in us'. |
| This baptism ceremony is itself symbolic of a baptism in the heart of the new believer that has already taken place. |
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That baptism has been performed by the Holy Spirit, who comes to live in the new believer and mark him or her out as belonging to Jesus Christ. |
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Look what the Bible has to say about this... |
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"And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation.
"Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are
God’s possession."
(Ephesians 1:13-14)
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